Tuesday promises a packed programme of racing, with meetings at Bath, Sedgefield and Wolverhampton all being broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Among the highlights 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.
This race has a useful pedigree as a stepping‑stone for novices: Hopewell Rock captured the 2024 edition before Juddmonte International winner Item took the title in 2025. Both Divide And Conquer and Al Qayed arrive with the strongest recent form among the entrants, making them the ones to watch. Al Qayed’s debut saw her finish well behind the unbeaten Bin Jahwar, but she showed enough promise to improve to a third‑place finish in a subsequent start, trailing the eventual Royal Lodge runner‑up Quicken Away.
The filly appeared a little uncomfortable on the heavy ground that day and seemed still raw, suggesting that with a bit more experience and a firmer surface she could make a significant jump forward. Her connections are likely to target a race that suits her stamina and allows her to settle into a rhythm without the added strain of overly soft going.
Divide And Conquer, a filly purchased for a hefty 320,000 guineas as a yearling, displayed considerable talent in her first start, finishing second despite being bumped twice in the final half‑furlong. The horse that beat her has since added a win at Haydock, confirming the quality of the opposition. On her second start Divide And Conquer should be able to build on that early promise, especially if she receives a clean run and the pace suits her staying ability. Her pedigree suggests a blend of speed and stamina, making her a genuine contender for the novice stakes.
Also worth noting are the newcomers Political Resident and Next Best, both of which carry substantial stamina influences in their bloodlines. They may be earmarked for their first race outings today, and while they are unlikely to win outright, a respectable performance could set them up for future campaigns over longer distances. In the chase division, the Winning Connection Conference Hire Handicap Chase features two seasoned campaigners: Passengerontheship and Thank You Blue.
Passengerontheship has shown rapid improvement over fences, stringing together a series of five‑week wins that culminated in a late‑June triumph. During that spell he was raised 28 pounds, indicating a genuine progression in class. However, his recent effort over a 110‑pound mark proved too steep, and a subsequent run where he was off the bridle early suggested that a shorter trip may not suit his style. Thank You Blue, a nine‑year‑old, appears more likely to benefit from a return to a shorter distance after a recent six‑furlong step‑up proved beyond his stamina.
A mistake at the final fence cost him in his penultimate start, but the conditions today could allow him to produce a career‑best effort. Another contender, Tanking Along, could become a major factor if he follows the form he displayed at Cartmel, where he was unbeaten over fences. He is currently two‑for‑two at the venue and, if he returns to his best weight, should be well‑handicapped and capable of challenging for the win. By contrast, Four Decades has shown little promise over either hurdles or fences and would need a dramatic improvement to be competitive in this contest.
The meeting also offers a range of other stories. Saeed bin Suroor’s Arabian Summer makes a comeback after a 23‑month lay‑off in the attheraces.com/marketmovers Maiden Stakes. Arabian Summer is a half‑sister to Manobo, a Prix Chaudenay winner and Dubai Gold Cup runner‑up, and demonstrated early speed over six furlongs on debut. Suroor is renowned for getting horses back into form after long breaks, so Arabian Summer could be a dark horse, though she will face race‑fit rivals who have been active throughout the season.
Gold Star Glazing, despite being the most exposed runner, has shown a respectable level of ability, having bumped into the promising Storm Force (owned by Wathnan) in his last outing. A return to a seven‑furlong distance could see him utilise his experience and improve his placing. Other notable entries include Battlefield Boy, who impressed with a third‑place finish at Lingfield earlier this month, and Missmisfortune, who also recorded a third on debut at Kempton. Both have demonstrated the potential to develop into solid performers as the season progresses.
The card also features a series of sprint handicaps and maiden contests. At 2.02 at Bath, Decalogue aims to continue his upward trajectory after a successful run at Kempton. The 4.02 sprint handicap at Bath will see in‑form sprinters Maharajas Express, South Shore and Alondra contest a competitive field.
Over at Sedgefield, Jet Of Dreams will attempt to replicate his previous year’s success over the same distance, while Close House and Red Shea look to build on promising bumper debuts. Further afield, Chantilly will host informative maidens and a Listed contest, while Marseille‑Borely offers a seven‑race card with a mix of novice and seasoned runners. Racing enthusiasts can stay up‑to‑date with the latest news, interviews and feature stories from Sky Sports Racing, ensuring they never miss a beat in the fast‑moving world of horse racing.