Sky Sports Racing is set to feature an exciting day of horse racing, showcasing events at Doncaster, Newbury, and Southwell. The highlight at Doncaster includes a competitive renewal of the William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap, where in-form horse Rogue Diplomat will clash with First Ambition and several other contenders.
Rogue Diplomat, trained by James Owen, enters the race after completing a hat-trick of victories, impressively dominating over the same course and distance last month. With a current rating that has increased by 3lbs, he appears poised for further success. Owen has demonstrated a strong track record at Doncaster, with a third of his runners placing in the top two, providing optimism for his supporters.
First Ambition has shown promise with two wins from three starts, although his only defeat came during his handicap debut at Haydock. The horse returns to a seven-furlong distance, with Jack Nicholls claiming an additional 5lbs advantage. In addition, Richard Hughes has equipped Midnight Gun with cheekpieces in an attempt to enhance his performance. Midnight Gun is owned by the prominent Wathnan Racing and has displayed potential despite some previous frustrations.
Other notable competitors include Grey’s Monument, who is weighted to perform well for trainer Ralph Beckett, and Balmacara, who, despite a disappointing outing at Ascot, has previously secured two wins over the same course and distance. Should the anticipated rain arrive, Balmacara may become a significant threat in the race.
Newbury’s Competitive Sprint
The racing scene at Newbury features the West Berkshire Racing Club Handicap, where Maelstrom faces off against Woven in a thrilling six-furlong sprint. Trained by William Haggas, Maelstrom has thrived in handicap company, notching up three wins within a month. He last competed in a notable York event in June and will be aiming to impress under jockey Tom Marquand.
Veteran runner Woven recently secured his fifth career win in soft conditions at Ayr and cannot be discounted as he steps up in class. Last-time winner Dr Strangelove will be ridden by Billy Loughnane for trainer Oliver Cole, adding to the competitiveness of this race. Other potential contenders include Thunder Blue and Showering, both of whom have shown promise in previous outings.
Southwell’s Rising Stars
At Southwell, the Midnite Are Upping The Betting Game Handicap will feature recent winners Accrual and Sturlasson. Accrual is looking to build on two wins from three starts on the all-weather, having regained form over the same course and distance about a month ago. Despite a 2lb increase in weight, he remains a strong contender.
Sturlasson, trained by John Ryan, has had a successful debut season with two wins from his first three outings. He powered to victory at Yarmouth just days ago, and even with a 5lb penalty, he seems capable of maintaining his winning momentum.
The day will also feature other exciting races, including a debut for Baytika, a Camelot filly trained by Arc-winning handler Francis-Henri Graffard, in the Prix Circuit de Caen at Clairefontaine. Newbury will kick off its eight-race card with the “Hands And Heels” Apprentice Handicap, which could see Toby Moore, son of legendary rider Ryan Moore, achieve his first victory aboard the well-regarded Yellow Star.
As the day’s racing unfolds, punters and fans alike anticipate a thrilling spectacle filled with potential surprises and standout performances. With several horses looking to extend winning streaks and promising debuts, the day’s events are sure to captivate racing enthusiasts across the board.
