Monday’s racing schedule promises a full day of flat action, featuring meetings at both Wolverhampton and Yarmouth, all streamed live on Sky Sports Racing. Among the highlights is the appearance of Legacy Link’s full‑sister, Zhuri, who will contest a race against the debutant Never An Angel, a filly owned by Ed Walker and purchased for 460,000 guineas as a yearling. Zhuri, a well‑bred fillet with an impressive pedigree, is making her second start on a racecourse. After a promising debut over a longer distance, her connections have decided to drop her back to seven furlongs, believing the shorter trip will suit her natural speed and stamina.
The decision to reduce the distance follows observations that she looked strong in the early stages of her first race but lacked the stamina to finish strongly over the longer trip. Ed Walker, who has enjoyed a 15 per cent strike rate with his two‑year‑old runners this season, is fielding Never An Angel, the 460,000‑guinea daughter of the champion sire No Nay Never. The ride will be taken by Kieran Shoemark, who has shown a keen eye for getting the best out of young horses.
The race therefore pits two high‑profile juveniles against each other, each representing a different training philosophy and ownership ambition. The card also features Baaeed, the new stallion who has begun his stud career with a promising start. He is represented in this race by Faithful, a filly trained by William Haggas.
Faithful comes from a strong family line, being a half‑sister to Italy, a Group‑level performer for Aidan O’Brien and Bowmark, which adds an extra layer of intrigue for the connections and punters alike. Another beautifully bred youngster, Lady Jemima, brings the most experience of the field with three starts to her name.
She recently delivered an encouraging performance at Newmarket, showing that she can handle a competitive field. Trained by James Owen, she is expected to improve further and could be a serious contender as the race unfolds. For fans who want to stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing news, interviews, and feature stories, Sky Sports Racing offers a dedicated mobile platform that delivers real‑time updates and in‑depth analysis right to your phone. Turning to Wolverhampton, Powder Monkey is aiming for a third consecutive win in the Race & Rest – Wolverhampton Holiday Inn Handicap.
After a spell away from the track, the horse returned in August with a victory at Lingfield Park, which lifted his rating from 69 to 74. Since then, he has continued to defy his odds under the skilled guidance of jockey Billy Loughnane, and his current rating stands at 78. The champion‑jockey‑in‑waiting will be aboard once again, hoping to secure the hat‑trick. Dublin Bay, who dominated a race back in May with a seven‑length winning margin, was subsequently penalised ten pounds for that performance.
Since then, he has contested two higher‑class races, showing creditable form but not quite replicating his earlier dominance. He will start from stall 12, carrying the same weight as before, and will need to overcome the added pressure of the penalty to make an impact.
Alfra Whiteburd, the top‑weight in the field, earned a hat‑trick at Pontefract earlier in the summer for the Ivan Furtado stable. Although he has suffered two defeats since, his record on all‑weather surfaces is impressive, with four wins to his name.
Returning to the all‑weather track this evening, he will be looking to add another victory to his tally. The day’s program also includes a competitive Haven Seashore Holiday Park Handicap featuring the highly rated Box To Box and the lightly raced Cuff It. Box To Box has not won in his last five outings and has seen his rating fall to 87, yet his performance at Chester suggested he could dominate when positioned well, taking the lead at the furlong pole before being caught near the finish. Expect a bold and determined run from him once more.
Cuff It, on the other hand, is still relatively untested, having only four career starts. His handicap debut at York in a strong class‑two race proved a step too far, but stepping down to a class‑four contest today could give him the confidence and platform to showcase his ability.
Lucky Hero is another form horse to watch, having won two of his last three starts. His bid for a third consecutive win was thwarted in his most recent outing, where he finished a close third after a victory at Newmarket. A strong effort is still likely, and he could be in contention if the pace suits him. The schedule also lists a series of other notable races: - 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, will debut. - 4.05 at Yarmouth: The showdown between Box To Box and Cuff It.
- 4.26 at Wolverhampton: Interesting Lion Of God will make his nursery debut. - Deauville: A nine‑race card is on offer, adding an international flavour to the day's racing.
Overall, Monday offers a rich tapestry of stories, from emerging juveniles testing their mettle over sprint distances to seasoned campaigners seeking to add another win to their records. Whether you are a seasoned punter or a casual fan, the breadth of talent on display promises excitement, drama, and plenty of talking points for the hours ahead.