Monday’s racing programme promises a full slate of action across Brighton, Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton, all broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Among the headline stories is the quest of Danehill Star, a Tony Carroll‑trained gelding, to secure a third straight win in a Bet £20 Get £40 free‑bet handicap at Brighton. The horse has been in superb form, having claimed victory in his previous two outings.
The first of those wins came over the same course and distance, where he edged out his rival by half a length. He then followed that with a dominant performance at Bath, winning by more than five lengths. Handicappers have taken notice, assigning him an additional ten pounds after those triumphs, yet the manner of his Bath victory suggests he still possesses the ability to overcome the extra weight and complete a hat‑trick.
Another contender to watch is Newfangled, who poses a serious challenge after winning this same race last season from a slightly lower handicap. He has hit peak form at the right moment, having produced a credible third‑place finish at Windsor in his most recent start. Course specialist Dion Baker, who has struggled under a 73‑pound mark—a 36‑pound increase since his winning run at the venue in late May—remains in contention after a recent two‑pound drop in his handicap. On The Inlet could also be competitive if he can recapture the early‑season momentum that saw him step down in class.
In the Jodie Standing Point‑To‑Point Recruits Novices’ Hurdle, Matiwo returns after a promising juvenile campaign. Last season he secured a respectable novice win at Newbury and then delivered a brilliant fourth‑place effort in the Grade Two Dovecote Hurdle, travelling strongly and beating several high‑profile rivals, including future Grade One Top Novices’ Hurdle winner Storming George. His current form and relatively unexposed rating place him well above the rest of the field, making him a tough opponent on his seasonal re‑appearance. Ride Like A Girl, who showed promise after wind‑surgery by winning in May, has not progressed since that victory.
If he lines up for his final run after a short break, his experience and fitness could make him a competitive outsider. Scott’s Legacy would be the principal threat if he steps up to hurdles for the first time, having produced an impressive bumper win at Southwell in March. Pappano, rated 96 on the flat and a participant in this year’s Triumph Hurdle for Willie Mullins, has yet to demonstrate his full potential over hurdles, having shown a keen but unrefined style in his two starts.
He now has a chance to prove his ability. The racing news, interviews and features from Sky Sports Racing continue to provide in‑depth coverage of these stories. In another notable entry, record‑breaking 1‑33 outsider Najidi Storm is set to face the rising star Wootz in the Download the At the Races App Novice Stakes. Najidi Storm burst onto the scene with a half‑length win on debut, displaying a sharp turn of foot and subsequently producing two additional winners, including the later 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. He is a full brother to St Leger champion Logician and a 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‑a‑half‑length victory before being well‑fancied at Windsor, where he hung left and was edged out by Song Of The Clouds.
Additional runners include Al Jolson, who secured a solid win on his second start, and Shadow Boxer, who is expected to benefit from added experience and a longer trip after his April debut. Fans can stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing news, interviews and features on their mobile devices, ensuring they never miss a story. The day’s race card also includes several notable bets: at 4.27 pm in Brighton, Royal County Glory will attempt a hat‑trick; at 5.00 pm, Macanudo seeks a third win; at 1.50 pm in Newton Abbot, Depalma aims for his first fence victory for the Skeltons; at 3.00 pm, Gore Point looks to rebound against last‑time‑out winner Juggernaut; at 3.35 pm, Saint Polo hopes to return to form after a poor chase start, targeting a four‑win streak over hurdles; at 4.10 pm, an unexposed but progressive duel between Kom Tu Voudras and Kilnew Supreme unfolds; at 5.30 pm in Wolverhampton, Majestic Flame hopes to rediscover form after a promising debut in a hot Goodwood maiden; at 8.00 pm, Trappy contests a 0‑75 handicap; and at 8.30 pm, Anthony Gover seeks a course‑and‑distance hat‑trick.
Finally, Bordeaux will host a listed race later in the day.