Monday’s racing schedule promises a full day of action, featuring meetings at Brighton, Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton, all broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Among the highlights is the quest of Danehill Star, a Tony Carroll‑trained gelding, to secure a third straight win in a handicap race that also offers a Bet £20 Get £40 free‑bet promotion on matchbook.com. Danehill Star has been in scintillating form lately, having won his previous two outings. The first of those victories came over the same course and distance, where he edged the runner‑up by half a length.
His next start was even more impressive: at Bath he surged away from the field, winning by more than five lengths. Those performances have not gone unnoticed by the handicappers – the horse has been assigned an extra ten pounds since those wins. Yet the dominant manner of his Bath triumph suggests he still has the class to overcome the added weight and complete a hat‑trick of victories.
The main challenger appears to be Newfangled, who captured the same race last season while carrying just one pound less. Newfangled has hit the right notes at the opportune moment, having produced a respectable third‑place finish at Windsor in his most recent run. This form makes him a genuine threat to Danehill Star’s ambitions.
Another contender worth watching is Dion Baker, a course specialist who has struggled since his rating rose to 73 – a 36‑pound increase from when his winning streak began at the track in late May. He does retain a chance, however, after a recent two‑pound drop in the handicap, and if he can rediscover the early‑season form that saw him excel in lower classes, he could be competitive. On the other side of the card, the Dovecote Hurdle will feature Matiwo returning in the Jodie Standing’s Point‑to‑Point Recruits Novices’ Hurdle. Matiwo showed promise as a juvenile hurdler last season, winning a solid novice at Newbury before delivering a brilliant fourth‑place effort in the Grade Two Dovecote Hurdle, where he ran among the best.
That performance included beating future Grade One Top Novices’ Hurdle winner Storming George. His current form and relatively unexposed profile place him well above his rivals, making him a tough nut to crack on his seasonal comeback.
Ride Like A Girl, who looked encouraging after wind‑surgery and a win in May, has not progressed since that victory. If he lines up for his next run after a brief spell, his experience and fitness could make him a competitive presence, even if his recent form is flat. Scott’s Legacy could emerge as the leading threat if he tackles hurdles for the first time, having shown impressive ability in a good bumper win at Southwell in March. Pappano brings considerable ability to the field, having earned a rating of 96 on the flat and contested this year’s Triumph Hurdle for Willie Mullins.
Despite two lackluster hurdling starts and a keenly run effort in his last outing, the horse still has plenty to prove and could surprise if he settles into a more relaxed rhythm. The racing news, interviews and features from Sky Sports Racing continue to provide fans with up‑to‑date information across the sport. In another intriguing story, record‑breaking 1‑33 outsider Najidi Storm will meet the promising 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.
He has since produced two subsequent winners, including Gavriel, who later finished fourth in the Cambridgeshire. However, he struggled in heavy ground at Goodwood, becoming the shortest‑priced loser in British racing history at 1‑33. Najidi Storm is a full brother to St Leger champion Logician and a half‑brother to the talented Okeechobee, indicating ample room for improvement.
Wootz, his rival, attracted attention with a six‑and‑a‑half‑length debut victory before being fancied at Windsor, where he hung left and was unable to beat the classy Song Of The Clouds. Additional experience should help him continue his development.
Al Jolson secured a pleasant win on his second start, while Shadow Boxer is expected to benefit from the extra furlong in his upcoming race after a solid debut in April. For those who want to stay informed, the latest racing stories, interviews and features are available on mobile via the Sky Sports Racing app. The race card continues with several notable contests: at 4.27 in Brighton, Royal County Glory will aim for a hat‑trick; at 5.00 in Brighton, Macanudo also seeks a third win. Over at Newton Abbot, Depalma targets his first fence victory for the Skeltons at 1.50, while Gore Point hopes to rebound against last‑time‑out winner Juggernaut at 3.00.
Saint Polo looks to return to form after a poor chase start, eyeing a four‑win streak over hurdles at 3.35. A clash of unexposed yet progressive runners, Kom Tu Voudras and Kilnew Supreme, is set for 4.10.
Wolverhampton offers more action: Majestic Flame hopes to rediscover his promising debut form from a hot Goodwood maiden at 5.30, while a 0‑75 handicap featuring Trappy is priced at 8.00. Finally, at 8.30, the Anthony Gover will chase a course‑and‑distance hat‑trick. Overall, the day promises a blend of seasoned campaigners and emerging talent, with plenty of storylines for punters and enthusiasts alike.