Tuesday’s racing schedule promises a packed programme, featuring meetings at Bath, Sedgefield and Wolverhampton, all broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Among the highlights are two promising two‑year‑old fillies, Divide And Conquer and Al Qayed, who will take centre stage in the British EBF Future Stayers’ Novice Stakes.
The Future Stayers’ Novice Stakes has quickly earned a reputation as a useful early‑season indicator for young stayers. In 2024 the race was won by Hopewell Rock, who later went on to claim the Juddmonte International. The following year, the same contest produced Item, another Juddmonte International victor.
This pedigree of winners underlines the quality of the field and suggests that the two entrants from our focus group are likely to be the form‑makers. Al Qayed entered the race after a modest debut in which she finished well behind the unbeaten Bin Jahwar. Since that first outing she has shown improvement, taking third place in a subsequent start behind Quicken Away, who later secured a third‑place finish in the prestigious Royal Lodge Stakes.
While Al Qayed’s debut was on heavy ground and she appeared a little raw, the experience should have helped her mature. The heavy going may have masked her true ability, and a more forgiving surface could see her take another step forward. Divide And Conquer, a filly purchased for 320,000 guineas as a yearling, also impressed on debut. She was bumped a couple of times in the final half‑furlong but still managed to finish second.
The horse that beat her in that race has since recorded a win at Haydock, indicating the level of competition she faced. With that foundation, Divide And Conquer is expected to progress on her second start and could be a serious contender for the win. Two newcomers, Political Resident and Next Best, are also worth mentioning. Both carry stamina‑rich pedigrees and may be making their first race appearances today.
Their bloodlines suggest they could stay the distance comfortably, and the race could provide a useful stepping stone for their development. Turning to the chase card, the Winning Connection Conference Hire Handicap Chase is set to be led by Passengerontheship and Thank You Blue. Passengerontheship has shown rapid improvement over fences, stringing together a series of five‑week victories that culminated in a late‑June win where he carried an additional 28 pounds. However, his recent effort over a 110‑pound mark proved too demanding, and a subsequent race where he was pulled up early indicated that a shorter trip may not suit him.
Thank You Blue, a nine‑year‑old, appears to be in better shape for a return to a longer distance after a recent six‑furlong attempt proved too sharp. A mistake at the last fence cost him in his penultimate start, but his form suggests he could deliver a career‑best performance over fences if the conditions align. Another contender, Tanking Along, could become a major factor if he repeats the form he displayed at Cartmel.
He is unbeaten over fences at that track, winning both of his starts there, and a favourable handicap could see him back on the podium. In contrast, Four Decades has shown little promise over either hurdles or fences and would need a dramatic turnaround to be competitive in today’s contest.
Beyond the British meetings, Saeed bin Suroor’s well‑bred Arabian Summer returns after a 23‑month spell to contest the attheraces.com/marketmovers Maiden Stakes. Arabian Summer is a half‑sister to Manobo, a Prix Chaudenay winner and Dubai Gold Cup runner‑up, and demonstrated early speed over six furlongs on debut. Suroor is renowned for his ability to bring horses back to peak fitness after long breaks, so Arabian Summer could be a dark horse, though she will face race‑fit rivals. Gold Star Glazing, despite being the most exposed runner, has shown a respectable level of ability, having bumped into the promising Wathnan‑owned Storm Force in his last outing.
A return to a seven‑furlong distance could allow him to utilise his experience and improve his placing. Battlefield Boy made a promising debut with a third‑place finish at Lingfield earlier in the month, while Missmisfortune also recorded a third on debut at Kempton.
Both horses have shown early potential and could be worth watching as the day progresses. The programme also includes several sprint and handicap contests. At 2.02 at Bath, Decalogue aims to build on his recent success at Kempton. The 4.02 Bath sprint sees an in‑form trio—Maharajas Express, South Shore and Alondra—jockeying for a valuable handicap win.
Over at Sedgefield, Jet Of Dreams will attempt to replicate his previous year’s victory at the same mark, while Close House and Red Shea look to develop on the promise shown in their bumper debuts. Further afield, the Chantilly card offers informative maidens and a Listed contest, and Marseille‑Borely presents a seven‑race meeting for enthusiasts. For the latest horse racing news, interviews and feature stories, stay tuned to Sky Sports Racing and keep your mobile device handy for real‑time updates. This busy Tuesday promises a mix of established talent, emerging prospects, and seasoned campaigners, ensuring plenty of excitement for racing fans across the UK and beyond.