Monday’s racing schedule promises a full day of action across three venues – Brighton, Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton – all to be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Among the highlights is the quest of Danehill Star, the Tony Carroll‑trained gelding, to secure a hat‑trick in the Bet £20 Get £40 Free Bets Handicap at Brighton.
Danehill Star has been in the finest form of his career, having won his previous two outings. The first triumph came over the same course and distance, where he edged the runner‑up by a half‑length. He then displayed a dominant performance at Bath, pulling away to win by more than five lengths. Those impressive displays have not escaped the attention of the handicapper, who has raised his rating by ten pounds since those victories.
The manner of his Bath win suggests he still possesses the stamina and turn‑of‑foot needed to add a third win to his record. The most likely challenger appears to be Newfangled, who captured the same race last season while carrying just one pound less. He has hit the right stride at the appropriate moment, having produced a credible third‑place finish at Windsor in his most recent start. His recent form makes him a serious contender for the top spot.
Local course specialist Dion Baker has struggled to maintain his advantage from a 73‑pound mark, a rise of 36 pounds since he began his winning streak at Brighton in late May. However, a recent two‑pound drop in the handicap gives him a renewed chance, and On The Inlet could also be competitive if he can return to the early‑season form that saw him drop back down in class.
Turning to the Jodie Standing Point‑To‑Point Recruits Novices’ Hurdle, Matiwo makes a return after a promising juvenile campaign. Last season he secured a solid win in a Newbury novice before delivering a brilliant fourth‑place effort in the Grade Two Dovecote Hurdle, where he travelled strongly against a field that included future Grade One winner Storming George. His current form, combined with a relatively unexposed profile, places him well above his rivals and makes him a tough opponent on his seasonal reappearance.
Ride Like A Girl, who showed promise after wind surgery with a May victory, has not progressed since that win. If he lines up for his final run after a short break, his experience and fitness could make him a competitive factor, though he may be outclassed by the more in‑form rivals. Scott’s Legacy would be the primary threat if he steps over hurdles for the first time, having produced an impressive win in a good bumper at Southwell in March.
His proven ability over the flat suggests he could transition smoothly to obstacles. Pappano brings considerable ability to the contest, having earned a rating of 96 on the flat and contested this year’s Triumph Hurdle for Willie Mullins. Despite two lackluster hurdling starts and a keenly run effort in his last outing, he still has plenty to prove and could surprise if he settles better. The racing news, interviews and feature pieces from Sky Sports Racing continue to provide fans with up‑to‑date information on all these horses and more.
In another intriguing story, 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 victory on debut, showing a sharp turn of foot. He later produced two respectable performances, including a fourth‑place finish behind the eventual Cambridgeshire runner‑up Gavriel.
However, he struggled in heavy ground at Goodwood, where he became the shortest‑priced loser in British racing history at odds of 1‑33. Najidi Storm is a full brother to St Leger winner Logician and a half‑brother to the talented Okeechobee, indicating a strong pedigree with ample room for improvement.
The competition will be stiff, as Wootz has already turned heads with a six‑and‑a‑half‑length debut win before being well‑fancied at Windsor, where he hung left and was narrowly beaten by the classy Song Of The Clouds. Additional experience should aid his development. Other entries to watch include Al Jolson, who claimed a solid win on his second start, and Shadow Boxer, who is expected to benefit from the extra furlong after a respectable debut in April.
For those who want to stay connected, the Sky Sports Racing app offers real‑time updates, interviews and feature stories, ensuring you never miss a beat. The day’s race card features several notable attempts at hat‑tricks and first wins: - 4.27 pm Brighton – Royal County Glory targets a third successive victory. - 5.00 pm Brighton – Macanudo also seeks a hat‑trick.
- 1.50 pm Newton Abbot – Depalma aims for his inaugural win over fences for the Skeltons. - 3.00 pm Newton Abbot – Gore Point looks to bounce back when matched against last‑time‑out winner Juggernaut. - 3.35 pm Newton Abbot – Saint Polo hopes to regain form after a poor chase start, eyeing a four‑win streak over hurdles.
- 4.10 pm Newton Abbot – An unexposed, progressive clash between Kom Tu Voudras and Kilnew Supreme. - 5.30 pm Wolverhampton – Majestic Flame seeks to return to form after a promising debut in a hot Goodwood maiden. - 8.00 pm Wolverhampton – Trappy offered at 0‑75 odds in a handicap.
- 8.30 pm Wolverhampton – Anthony Gover pursues a course‑and‑distance hat‑trick. Additionally, Bordeaux will host a Listed race later in the day, rounding out an action‑packed schedule for racing enthusiasts.