Monday’s racing schedule promises a full programme, with fixtures at Brighton, Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton all being broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Among the day’s headline stories is the quest of Danehill Star, a Tony Carroll‑trained gelding, to secure a rare 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 triumphed in his previous two outings. The first win came over the same course and distance, where he edged out his rival by a half‑length. His second victory was even more emphatic – a dominant performance at Bath where he surged clear by more than five lengths.
Those impressive displays have not gone unnoticed by the handicapper, who has raised his rating by ten pounds since those wins. The size of the Bath margin, in particular, suggests that Danehill Star possesses the ability to dominate the field once again and complete a three‑in‑a‑row. The most significant challenger appears to be Newfangled, who captured the same race last season while carrying just one pound less.
Newfangled has hit the right form at the perfect time, having produced a credible third‑place finish at Windsor in his most recent start. While the mare’s recent form is respectable, the weight difference and Danehill Star’s recent dominance give the gelding the edge in the betting markets. Another contender worth mentioning is the course specialist Dion Baker, who has struggled since his last win at Brighton in late May. He has been forced to concede an additional 36 pounds, bringing his current mark to 73.
However, a recent two‑pound drop in his handicap weight could make him a factor if he can rediscover the early‑season fitness that saw him excel on this track. On The Inlet also remains a plausible threat, provided he can return to the class level where he showed early‑season promise. Turning to the novice hurdles, the Dovecote fourth, Matiwo, returns to contest the Jodie Standing’s Point‑to‑Point Recruits Novices’ Hurdle.
Matiwo displayed great promise as a juvenile hurdler last season, securing a respectable win at Newbury and then delivering a brilliant 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 and relatively unexposed profile place him well above the rest of the field, and he should prove a tough opponent on his seasonal reappearance. Ride Like A Girl, another promising juvenile, showed a flash of brilliance after wind surgery by winning in May, but has not progressed since. If he makes his final run of the season after a short break, his experience and fitness could make him competitive, especially if the race unfolds at a steady pace.
Scott’s Legacy could become the main threat if he takes to the hurdles for the first time. The horse impressed in a bumper at Southwell in March, winning convincingly, and his jumping ability may translate well to the novice hurdle scene. Pappano, rated 96 on the flat and a participant in this year’s Triumph Hurdle for trainer Willie Mullins, has yet to show his true potential over hurdles.
His two starts over obstacles have been unremarkable, and he ran too keenly in his last outing. Nevertheless, the horse still has a lot to prove and could surprise if he settles into a more relaxed rhythm. In other news, record‑breaking 1‑33 outsider Najidi Storm will face the exciting Wootz in the Download the At the Races App Novice Stakes. Najidi Storm made a striking debut, winning by half a length with a sharp turn of foot.
He later produced a solid performance, finishing second to the eventual Cambridgeshire fourth‑place finisher, Gavriel. However, he struggled in heavy ground at Goodwood, becoming the shortest‑priced loser in British racing history at 1‑33. Despite that setback, Najidi Storm boasts a strong pedigree – he is a brother to St Leger winner Logician and a half‑brother to the talented Okeechobee – indicating ample room for improvement. Wootz, his rival, caught the eye with an impressive six‑and‑a‑half‑length debut victory before being fancied at Windsor, where he hung left and was narrowly beaten by the smart Song Of The Clouds.
With more experience under his belt, Wootz is expected to continue his progression and could be a genuine threat to Najidi Storm. Other notable entries include Al Jolson, who won comfortably on his second start, and Shadow Boxer, who is expected to improve with the added distance after a solid debut in April. For those following the action, Sky Sports Racing offers the latest horse racing news, interviews and features, ensuring fans stay up‑to‑date with every development. The race card for the day lists the following key contests: - 4.27 pm Brighton – Royal County Glory seeks a third straight win.
- 5.00 pm Brighton – Macanudo aims for a hat‑trick. - 1.50 pm Newton Abbot – Depalma targets his first victory over fences for the Skeltons. - 3.00 pm Newton Abbot – Gore Point looks to bounce back when facing last‑time‑out winner Juggernaut.
- 3.35 pm Newton Abbot – Saint Polo hopes to return to form after a poor chase start, targeting a four‑timer over hurdles. - 4.10 pm Newton Abbot – An unexposed, progressive clash between Kom Tu Voudras and Kilnew Supreme. - 5.30 pm Wolverhampton – Majestic Flame aims to regain form after a promising debut in the hot Goodwood maiden. - 8.00 pm Wolverhampton – Trappy runs in a 0‑75 handicap.
- 8.30 pm Wolverhampton – The Anthony Gover seeks a course‑and‑distance hat‑trick. Additionally, a listed race at Bordeaux will round out the day’s programme.
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