Tuesday’s racing programme promises a packed schedule, featuring meetings at Bath, Sedgefield and Wolverhampton, all broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Among the headline attractions are two promising two‑year‑old fillies, Divide And Conquer and Al Qayed, who will contest the British EBF Future Stayers’ Novice Stakes at Bath.
The Future Stayers’ Novice Stakes has a reputation for being a useful stepping‑stone for emerging talent. In 2024 the race was claimed by Hopewell Rock, who later went on to win the prestigious Juddmonte International. The following year, the same race produced Item, another Juddmonte International victor. This pedigree of winners underscores the importance of the contest and highlights why the form of Divide And Conquer and Al Qayed is being watched so closely.
Al Qayed’s record shows a gradual upward trajectory. He made his debut against the unbeaten Bin Jahwar, finishing well behind the winner.
In his second start he improved to a respectable third place, trailing the eventual Royal Lodge Stakes third‑placer Quicken Away. While he handled the heavy ground on that day, he appeared a little uncomfortable and still displayed a raw edge, suggesting that with a bit more experience he could make a significant leap forward. Divide And Conquer, a filly purchased for a hefty 320,000 guineas as a yearling, also displayed early promise. On her first start she was bumped a couple of times in the final half‑furlong but still managed to finish second.
The horse that finished third in that race has since secured a win at Haydock, indicating the quality of the company she faced. Given her strong debut, the connections expect her to progress nicely on her second start. Also worth noting are the newcomers Political Resident and Next Best. Both carry stamina‑rich pedigrees and are likely to make their first race appearances today, adding further intrigue to the novice division.
The Winning Connection Conference Hire Handicap Chase will be led by two seasoned chasers: Passengerontheship and Thank You Blue. Passengerontheship has shown rapid improvement over fences, stringing together five wins in a five‑week spell that culminated in late June. During that period he was raised by 28 pounds, a testament to his rising ability, but a recent effort over a 110‑pound mark proved too steep for him.
His last run saw him being pulled off the bridle early, suggesting that a shorter distance may not suit his style. Thank You Blue, on the other hand, appears to be ready for a bounce‑back. After a six‑furlong step‑up that proved beyond his optimum distance, he made a mistake at the final fence in his penultimate start, costing him a better placing.
Now, back over a more suitable trip, the nine‑year‑old could deliver a career‑best performance, especially if the ground conditions are to his liking. Tanking Along is another contender to watch. Having won both of his previous outings at Cartmel over fences, he remains well‑handicapped and could be a serious factor if he returns to form.
By contrast, Four Decades has shown little promise on either hurdles or fences and will need a dramatic improvement to be competitive in today’s chase. In the attheraces.com/marketmovers Maiden Stakes, Saeed bin Suroor’s Arabian Summer returns after a 23‑month break.
Arabian Summer is a half‑sister to Manobo, the Prix Chaudenay winner and Dubai Gold Cup runner‑up, and displayed a burst of speed over six furlongs on debut. Suroor is renowned for his skill in reconditioning horses after long layoffs, so while Arabian Summer may find it challenging to face race‑fit rivals, she could still be a factor if she settles well.
Gold Star Glazing, despite being the most exposed runner, set a respectable standard in his last outing, bumping into the promising Wathnan‑owned Storm Force. With experience under his belt, he may be able to improve his performance over seven furlongs.
Battlefield Boy made a promising debut by finishing third at Lingfield earlier this month, and Missmisfortune also posted a third‑place finish on debut at Kempton, indicating both have the potential to progress quickly. The day’s schedule includes several notable sprint and middle‑distance contests.
At 2:02, Bath’s Decalogue will look to build on his recent Kempton success. At 4:02, an in‑form trio—Maharajas Express, South Shore and Alondra—will contest a competitive sprint handicap.
Over at Sedgefield, Jet Of Dreams will attempt to replicate his previous year’s victory at the same mark at 4:15, while Close House and Red Shea will try to add to their promising bumper debuts at 4:45. Additional action includes informative maidens and a listed race at Chantilly, and a seven‑race card at Marseille‑Borely. 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.