Monday’s racing schedule promises a full slate of action across three venues – Brighton, Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton – all being broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Among the many stories to watch, the standout is the campaign of Danehill Star, a Tony Carroll‑trained gelding who is on the brink of a remarkable hat‑trick. The horse has been in blistering form, having secured wins in his last two outings. The first of those victories came over a mile and a half at Brighton, where he edged out his rival by a half‑length.
The second was a dominant display at Bath, where he surged ahead to win by more than five lengths. Such performances have not gone unnoticed by the handicapper, who has added ten pounds to his rating since those wins. Despite the added weight, the manner in which he won at Bath suggests that Danehill Star still possesses the class and stamina to clinch a third successive triumph.
The race’s biggest challenger appears to be Newfangled, who captured the same event last season while carrying just a pound less. Newfangled has hit the ground running this year, most recently finishing a creditable third at Windsor, indicating that he is in the right form at the right time.
Another contender, the course‑specialist Dion Baker, has struggled since May, seeing his rating climb by 36 pounds after a strong run at the track. However, a recent two‑pound drop in his handicap weight could give him a renewed chance, especially if he can replicate the early‑season progression that saw him excel in lower‑class races. On the same card, the Jodie Standing Point‑to‑Point Recruits Novices’ Hurdle will feature Matiwo, who returns after a successful juvenile campaign.
Last season, Matiwo captured a respectable novice win at Newbury and then produced a brilliant fourth‑place effort in the Grade Two Dovecote Hurdle, where he ran alongside the eventual Grade One Top Novices’ Hurdle winner, Storming George. His current form, coupled with an unexposed profile, places him well above the rest of the field, making him a formidable opponent on his seasonal re‑appearance. Ride Like A Girl, who showed promise after a wind‑surgery win in May, has not progressed since that victory. If he lines up for a final run after a brief spell, his experience and fitness could see him hold his own against the competition.
Scott’s Legacy, a promising newcomer, could be the primary threat if he tackles hurdles for the first time, having previously delivered an impressive bumper win at Southwell in March. Pappano brings a strong flat pedigree, having been rated 96 on the all‑weather surface, and even contested this year’s Triumph Hurdle for trainer Willie Mullins.
Despite two lacklustre hurdling outings and a tendency to race too keenly, Pappano still possesses ample ability and will be eager to prove his worth over the obstacles. Turning to the novice stakes, record‑breaking 1‑33 outsider Najidi Storm will face the talented Wootz in the At the Races App Novice Stakes. Najidi Storm burst onto the scene with a half‑length win on debut, displaying a sharp turn of foot that signaled his potential.
He then added two subsequent victories, including a fourth‑place finish in the prestigious Cambridgeshire Handicap behind Gavriel. However, his performance at Goodwood in heavy ground saw him become the shortest‑priced loser in British racing history at 1‑33.
He is a half‑brother to St Leger champion Logician and shares bloodlines with the accomplished Okeechobee, indicating that further improvement is well within reach. The competition will be stiff, with Wootz having impressed on debut with a six‑and‑a‑half‑length win before a less convincing run at Windsor, where he hung left and was edged out by Song Of The Clouds. Additional experience could see Wootz continue his upward trajectory.
Other notable entries include Al Jolson, who claimed a solid win on his second start, and Shadow Boxer, who is expected to benefit from the added distance after a promising debut in April. The day’s program also features a series of hat‑trick bids: Royal County Glory at 4.27 in Brighton, Macanudo at 5.00 also at Brighton, and the Anthony Gover at Wolverhampton aiming for a course‑and‑distance triple at 8.30. At Newton Abbot, Depalma will look to secure his first win over fences for the Skeltons at 1.50, while Gore Point hopes to rebound after a loss to the previous winner Juggernaut at 3.00. Saint Polo seeks to return to form after a poor chase start, targeting a four‑win streak over hurdles at 3.35.
The meeting also pits the progressive pair Kom Tu Voudras against Kilnew Supreme at 4.10, promising a competitive showdown. Wolverhampton’s card includes Majestic Flame, who aims to recapture his promising form following a debut win in the hot conditions of Goodwood, priced at 5.30, and a 0‑75 handicap featuring Trappy at 8.00. The day will close with a listed action at Bordeaux, adding an international flavor to an already packed schedule. For racing enthusiasts, Sky Sports Racing offers the latest news, interviews and in‑depth features, ensuring fans stay connected to the sport they love.
Whether you are tracking the hat‑trick chase of Danehill Star, analyzing the form of rising novices like Matiwo, or following the dramatic odds‑defying runs of Najidi Storm, the Monday program delivers a diverse and exciting array of stories across the British racing landscape.