Monday’s racing schedule promises a packed programme, featuring flat contests at both Wolverhampton and Yarmouth, all broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. The day’s headline is the full‑sister to Legacy Link, a filly named Zhuri, who will be matched against the debutant Never An Angel.
Zhuri is owned by Ed Walker, who paid a hefty 460,000 guineas for her as a yearling, underscoring the high expectations placed on the young horse. Zhuri, a well‑bred filly with an impressive pedigree, is stepping out for only her second start at a racecourse. Unlike her maiden outing, where she was asked to stay the full distance, today’s race shortens the trip to seven furlongs. Trainers believe the reduced distance will better suit her natural speed and stamina, and she has been looking sharp in training, shaping nicely without being stretched to the limit.
Ed Walker, who enjoys a 15 per cent win rate with his two‑year‑old runners this season, will also field the 460,000‑guineas No Nay Never‑produced filly Never An Angel, with Kieran Shoemark slated to ride. The owner’s confidence in his juveniles is evident, and the pair will be keen to prove their worth against the more experienced Zhuri.
Among the other runners, Baaeed’s first season at stud is already bearing fruit, represented by the William Haggas‑trained filly Faithful. Faithful hails from a strong family line; she is a half‑sister to Italy, a Group‑level performer for Aidan O’Brien, and shares connections with Bowmark. This pedigree gives her a solid foundation for success in the sprint. Lady Jemima, another beautifully bred mare, brings the most experience of the field with three starts to her name.
She recently delivered an encouraging performance at Newmarket and will be aiming to improve further for trainer James Owen. Her continued development makes her a genuine contender. For fans who want to stay up‑to‑date, Sky Sports Racing offers a suite of racing news, interviews and feature stories that can be accessed on mobile devices, ensuring you never miss a beat.
Turning to the Wolverhampton card, Powder Monkey is targeting a third consecutive win in the Race & Rest – Wolverhampton Holiday Inn Handicap. After securing victories at Wolverhampton and Lingfield, the horse returned from a brief spell to win at Lingfield Park in August, lifting his official rating from 69 to 74. Since then, under the guidance of rising star Billy Loughnane, he has continued to defy the odds, now standing at a rating of 78.
The champion‑jockey‑in‑waiting will be aboard again, hoping to cement the horse’s hat‑trick. Dublin Bay, who dominated a race in May with a seven‑length margin, received a ten‑pound penalty for that performance. Although he has run creditably against stronger competition in two subsequent outings, he will face the challenge of starting from stall 12 on the same rating, a test of both stamina and tactical positioning. Alfra Whiteburd, the top‑weight in his class, earned a hat‑trick at Pontefract earlier in the summer for trainer Ivan Furtado.
While he has not been beaten heavily in his two recent defeats, his return to all‑weather surfaces this evening gives him a distinct advantage. With four all‑weather wins to his name, the horse is well‑placed to make an impact. The Haven Seashore Holiday Park Handicap will see two highly rated juveniles, Box To Box and Cuff It, clash with eight other rivals.
Box To Box enters the race on a rating of 87 after a winless streak of five starts. However, his recent showing at Chester suggested he could dominate, having taken the lead at the furlong pole before being overtaken near the finish. Expect another bold effort from this colt.
Cuff It is relatively untested, with just four career starts. His handicap debut at York in a competitive class‑two race proved too demanding, but a step down to class four today could see him thrive and perhaps deliver his first win.
Lucky Hero is in fine form, having won two of his last three outings. A hat‑trick attempt was thwarted in his most recent start when he finished a close third after a victory at New‑market.
His consistency makes him a serious threat to the field. The day’s race times include: - 1:50 at Yarmouth – Awwjaan, an Irish‑bred filly entered in the 1000 Guineas, makes a return. - 3:35 at Yarmouth – Endless Quest, a filly out of the Wootton Bassett line, debuts.
- 4:05 at Yarmouth – The showdown between Box To Box and Cuff It. - 4:26 at Wolverhampton – Interesting Lion Of God steps out in a nursery race. Additionally, a nine‑race card from Deauville will round out the weekend’s international racing action.
Overall, Monday offers a blend of seasoned campaigners and promising newcomers across both venues. Whether you are tracking the progress of high‑priced yearlings like Zhuri and Never An Angel, or rooting for the seasoned sprinters such as Powder Monkey and Alfra Whiteburd, there is plenty of excitement to be had.
Stay tuned to Sky Sports Racing for live coverage, expert analysis and the latest updates from the world of flat racing.