Tuesday promises a packed racing schedule, with fixtures 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. The Future Stayers' Novice Stakes has already produced a useful guide for form analysts.
In 2024 the race was won by Hopewell Rock, a horse that later progressed to claim the Juddmonte International. The following year, the same race produced Item, another Juddmonte International victor.
These examples illustrate how a strong performance in this novice event can foreshadow future Group‑level success, and they set a high bar for this year’s runners. Of the current field, Divide And Conquer and Al Qayed appear to be the most credible contenders based on their recent form.
Al Qayed made a modest debut, finishing well behind the unbeaten Bin Jahwar, but showed improvement by securing third place in a subsequent outing, trailing the later Royal Lodge winner Quicken Away. That third‑place finish was achieved on heavy ground, a condition that seemed to unsettle Al Qayed, and the filly also appeared somewhat raw in her handling. The experience gained should help her settle into her next start, and a better ground surface could see her make a noticeable step forward. Divide And Conquer, a filly purchased for £320,000 as a yearling, displayed considerable talent on her maiden run, finishing second despite being bumped a couple of times in the final half‑furlong.
The horse that beat her in that race has since taken a victory at Haydock, indicating that Divide And Conquer is already competing at a respectable level. With a second start under her belt, she is expected to build on that early promise and could be a serious threat in the Bath contest.
Two other newcomers, Political Resident and Next Best, both carry stamina‑rich pedigrees and are likely to make their first race appearances today. Their breeding suggests they will stay the distance comfortably, and the race could serve as a useful debut platform for them. Turning to the chase programme, the Winning Connection Conference Hire Handicap Chase features the seasoned campaigners Passengerontheship and Thank You Blue at the front of the betting.
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 in weight by 28 pounds, a testament to his rising ability, but his latest effort saw him struggling when forced to concede a weight of 110 pounds, a mark that proved too demanding. Moreover, he was taken off the bridle early in the race, suggesting that a shorter trip may not suit his style.
Thank You Blue, on the other hand, may benefit from a step back in distance after a recent attempt at six furlongs proved to be too far. The nine‑year‑old made a mistake at the final fence in his penultimate start, which cost him dearly, but prior to that he had been travelling well. Given his age and experience, a return to a more suitable trip could see him produce a career‑best effort, especially if the ground conditions are to his liking. Another horse to watch is Tanking Along, who has won both of his previous outings over fences at Cartmel.
If he repeats that form today, he could become a major factor in the chase, particularly if he receives a favorable handicap. Conversely, Four Decades has yet to make an impact over hurdles or fences and will need a dramatic improvement to be competitive in this event. In the flat programme, Saeed bin Suroor’s well‑bred 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, the Prix Chaudenay winner and Dubai Gold Cup runner‑up, and she displayed early speed over six furlongs on debut.
Suroor is renowned for his ability to bring horses back to peak fitness after long breaks, so Arabian Summer could be a genuine factor, although she will face race‑fit rivals who have been active throughout the season. Gold Star Glazing, despite being the most exposed runner in the field, has shown a respectable level of ability, having bumped into the promising Wathnan‑owned Storm Force in his last outing. A return to a seven‑furlong distance should suit him well and could see him improve his performance.
Battlefield Boy made an encouraging debut by finishing third at Lingfield earlier in the month, while Missmisfortune also recorded a third‑place finish on her first start at Kempton. Both horses have shown the potential to progress quickly with the right placement.
For those following the broader card, the schedule includes: - 2:02 pm at Bath: Decalogue looks to build on his recent Kempton success. - 4:02 pm at Bath: A competitive sprint handicap featuring in‑form trio Maharajas Express, South Shore and Alondra. - 4:15 pm at Sedgefield: Jet Of Dreams aims to replicate last year’s triumph over the same distance.
- 4:45 pm at Sedgefield: Close House and Red Shea seek to capitalize on promising debut runs in bumpers. - Chantilly: A series of informative maidens and a Listed contest. - Marseille‑Borely: A seven‑race card offering a variety of opportunities. Stay up to date with the latest racing news, interviews and feature stories by following Sky Sports Racing on your mobile device, ensuring you never miss a beat in the world of horse racing.