Monday’s racing programme promises a full slate of action across three venues – Brighton, Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton – all broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Among the headline stories is the quest of Danehill Star, the Tony Carroll‑trained gelding, to secure a hat‑trick of wins.
After two impressive triumphs, the horse now faces a ten‑pound penalty in the Bet £20 Get £40 Free Bets handicap at Brighton, but his recent performances suggest he is more than capable of handling the added weight. Danehill Star’s resurgence has been dramatic. He clinched his first recent victory over the same course and distance, edging out his rival by a half‑length.
He then followed that with a dominant display at Bath, where he surged clear to win by more than five lengths. The handicapper has taken notice, raising his rating by ten pounds, yet the manner of his Bath win – a powerful, sustained finish – indicates that the extra burden may not deter him.
If he can replicate that turn of foot, a third successive win appears within reach. The most likely challenger is Newfangled, who captured the same race last season while carrying a weight just one pound lower. Newfangled has hit the right form at the right time, having produced a credible third‑place finish at Windsor in his most recent outing. His experience on the track and familiarity with the conditions make him a genuine threat to Danehill Star’s ambitions.
Another contender worth watching is the course specialist Dion Baker. Since his breakthrough win at Brighton in late May, his handicap mark has risen dramatically – a 36‑pound increase – and he now carries 73 pounds. A recent two‑pound drop in his rating gives him a sliver of hope, and if he can rediscover the early‑season vigor that propelled him to success, he could be in the mix. On The Inlet, a horse that has shown steady progression early in the season, may also prove competitive if he can step back down in class and find his rhythm.
The Jodie Standing Point‑To‑Point Recruits Novices’ Hurdle adds further intrigue with several promising juveniles. Matiwo, returning after a spell, impressed last season with a solid win at Newbury and a striking fourth‑place effort in the Grade Two Dovecote Hurdle, where he ran on par with the eventual Grade One Top Novices’ Hurdle winner Storming George. His current form, combined with a relatively untested profile, places him above much of the opposition and makes him a strong candidate for a seasonal comeback win. Ride Like A Girl, who showed flashes of ability after wind‑surgery by winning in May, has not progressed since that victory.
A short break before his next start could see him regain fitness and experience, potentially making him a competitive factor if he can harness his previous form. Scott’s Legacy could emerge as the leading threat if he takes to the hurdles for the first time.
The colt displayed impressive speed in a bumper at Southwell in March, and a successful hurdle debut would add a new dimension to his campaign. Pappano brings a high level of ability to the field, having earned a flat rating of 96 and contested this year’s Triumph Hurdle for Willie Mullins. However, his two starts over hurdles have been underwhelming, and a too‑keen approach in his last race suggests there is still much to prove.
A measured run could see him unleash his latent talent. In other news, record‑breaking 1‑33 outsider Najidi Storm is set to face the formidable Wootz in the Download the At the Races App Novice Stakes.
Najidi Storm made a splash on debut, winning by half a length with a sharp turn of foot, and later produced a respectable fourth in the Cambridgeshire behind Gavriel. Despite a disappointing performance on heavy ground at Goodwood, where he became the shortest‑priced loser in British racing history, his pedigree is impressive – he is a full brother to St Leger winner Logician and half‑brother to the talented Okeechobee – indicating ample room for improvement.
Wootz, meanwhile, announced himself with a six‑and‑a‑half‑length victory on debut and was well‑fancied at Windsor, though a left‑handed drift prevented him from beating the classy Song Of The Clouds. Additional experience should help him refine his technique and close the gap to the front runners. Al Jolson, another promising youngster, secured a comfortable win at his second start, while Shadow Boxer is expected to benefit from the added distance of an extra furlong after a solid debut in April. Both horses are likely to gain valuable experience that could translate into stronger performances in the coming weeks.
The day’s schedule also features several notable contests: - 4.27 pm Brighton – Royal County Glory attempts a third win in a row. - 5.00 pm Brighton – Macanudo looks to add another hat‑trick to his résumé. - 1.50 pm Newton Abbot – Depalma targets his first fence win for the Skeltons.
- 3.00 pm Newton Abbot – Gore Point seeks to rebound against last‑time‑out winner Juggernaut. - 3.35 pm Newton Abbot – Saint Polo aims to return to form after a poor chase start, eyeing a four‑win streak over hurdles. - 4.10 pm Newton Abbot – An intriguing clash between the unexposed but progressive pair Kom Tu Voudras and Kilnew Supreme.
- 5.30 pm Wolverhampton – Majestic Flame hopes to rediscover his form following a promising debut in the hot Goodwood maiden. - 8.00 pm Wolverhampton – Trappy contests a 0‑75 handicap.
- 8.30 pm Wolverhampton – Anthony Gover pursues a course‑and‑distance hat‑trick. For fans who want to stay up‑to‑date, Sky Sports Racing continues to deliver the latest horse‑racing news, interviews and feature stories across all platforms.
Whether you’re tracking the progress of a rising star like Danehill Star or following the underdog narratives of horses such as Najidi Storm, the network provides comprehensive coverage to keep you informed and entertained.