Monday’s racing schedule promises a packed programme, featuring meetings at Brighton, Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton, all broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Among the highlights is the campaign of Danehill Star, a Tony Carroll‑trained gelding who is eyeing a rare hat‑trick in the Bet £20 Get £40 Free Bets Handicap at Brighton. After two impressive wins, the horse looks in peak condition and could easily add a third triumph to his record. Danehill Star has been in blistering form of late, securing victories in his previous two outings.
The first win came over the same course and distance, where he edged out his rival by half a length. He then followed that up with a dominant performance at Bath, winning by more than five lengths.
Such a display of dominance has not gone unnoticed by the handicapper, who has increased his rating by ten pounds since those victories. The substantial weight gain reflects the confidence that the horse possesses the class to continue winning, even when carrying a heavier burden. The most significant challenger appears to be Newfangled, who captured the same race last season while carrying a weight just one pound lower than the current mark.
Newfangled has hit form at an opportune moment, having produced a credible third‑place finish at Windsor in his most recent start. This suggests he is well‑placed to contest the top spot and could be the horse that stops Danehill Star’s streak.
Another contender worth watching is the course specialist Dion Baker, who has struggled to maintain his form since a strong run in late May. Starting from a weight of 73 pounds, he has seen a 36‑pound increase in his handicap rating. Nevertheless, a recent two‑pound drop in his assigned weight gives him a renewed chance, and if he can rediscover his early‑season vigor, he may prove competitive. Similarly, On The Inlet could be a factor if he can return to the lower‑class races that helped him progress earlier in the season.
The Dovecote Hurdle also features a promising juvenile hurdler, Matiwo, returning in the Jodie Standing’s Point‑To‑Point Recruits Novices’ Hurdle. Matiwo impressed last season by winning a solid novice race at Newbury and then delivering a brilliant fourth‑place effort in the Grade Two Dovecote Hurdle, where he ran amongst the best. He even beat future Grade One winner Storming George on that day.
His current form and relatively unexposed profile place him well above his rivals, making him a strong contender for a seasonal comeback win. Ride Like A Girl, another hopeful, showed promise after wind surgery with a win in May but has not progressed since.
A short break could see him regain fitness and experience, potentially making him competitive in his next outing. Scott’s Legacy could become the main threat if he makes his hurdle debut, having displayed impressive ability in a March bumper at Southwell. His transition to obstacles could be a game‑changer if he adapts quickly.
Pappano, rated 96 on the flat and a participant in this year’s Triumph Hurdle for Willie Mullins, has yet to show his true potential over hurdles. Two starts over obstacles have been underwhelming, and his last race indicated he was too keen.
With more schooling and a better trip, he still has plenty to prove. In other news, the record‑breaking 1‑33 outsider Najidi Storm is set to face the highly regarded Wootz in the Download the At the Races App Novice Stakes. Najidi Storm burst onto the scene with a half‑length win on debut, showcasing a sharp turn of foot.
He later produced a solid performance alongside future Cambridgeshire fourth‑placer Gavriel. However, he struggled in heavy ground at Goodwood, becoming the shortest‑priced loser in British racing history at 1‑33.
Despite that setback, his pedigree is impressive—he is a brother to St Leger winner Logician and half‑brother to the talented Okeechobee—indicating ample room for improvement. The competition will be stiff, with Wootz having impressed on debut with a six‑and‑half‑length victory before a less convincing run at Windsor, where he hung left and was beaten by Song Of The Clouds.
Additional experience should help Wootz continue his upward trajectory. Al Jolson also secured a comfortable win in his second start, while Shadow Boxer is expected to benefit from the extra furlong in his upcoming race after a solid debut in April. For fans who want to stay up‑to‑date, Sky Sports Racing offers the latest horse racing news, interviews and feature stories, all accessible via their mobile app.
The race card for the day includes: - 4.27 Brighton – Royal County Glory targeting a third win. - 5.00 Brighton – Macanudo also seeking a hat‑trick.
- 1.50 Newton Abbot – Depalma aiming for his first fence victory for the Skeltons. - 3.00 Newton Abbot – Gore Point looking to rebound after a win by Juggernaut. - 3.35 Newton Abbot – Saint Polo hoping to return to form after a poor chase start, eyeing a fourth hurdle win. - 4.10 Newton Abbot – A clash between the unexposed yet progressive pair Kom Tu Voudras and Kilnew Supreme.
- 5.30 Wolverhampton – Majestic Flame trying to recapture form after a promising Goodwood maiden. - 8.00 Wolverhampton – Trappy in a 0‑75 handicap. - 8.30 Wolverhampton – Anthony Gover seeking a course‑and‑distance hat‑trick.
Additionally, a Listed race is scheduled at Bordeaux later in the day, rounding out a full and exciting programme for racing enthusiasts.