Live coverage comes from Doncaster, Lingfield, Newbury, Southwell and Meydan, with a busy card across Britain and Dubai.
3.45 Newbury — Greatwood Gold Cup Handicap Chase
Vincenzo and Twinjets head a competitive BetVictor Greatwood renewal. Sam Thomas’s Vincenzo, second to Booster Bob in this race last year, arrives on the back of a cosy Ascot success and carries a 2lb rise; Dylan Johnston takes the ride. Twinjets, trained by Paul Nicholls, bolted up by 10 lengths over this track and the 2m4f trip in November and can be excused an unseat at Cheltenham in January — Nicholls has a strong record in this race. Issam, who justified favouritism in a Kempton handicap last time, looks to have something in hand, while Heltenham (the 2024 winner) deserves each-way respect for Dan Skelton and Charlie Todd.
2.30 Doncaster — Virgin Bet Grimthorpe Handicap Chase
A strong renewal of the Grimthorpe sees King’s Threshold and Dartmoor Pirate among a 13-strong field. Emma Lavelle’s King’s Threshold was being considered for Cheltenham but instead goes here and is a major player under James Bowen after a solid Newbury win. Dartmoor Pirate bids for a hat-trick following victories at Lingfield and the Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster, and looks dangerous despite a 5lb rise; New Order, runner-up in that Doncaster contest, also merits respect on the same mark. Neil Mulholland runs three, with Kelce (ridden by Conor O’Farrell) the pick — a strong stayer who impressed over fences and should handle the extra to 3m2f. Broomfields Cave and Lord Accord complete the shortlist from his yard.
2.35 Lingfield — Listed BetMGM Spring Cup Stakes
Ten Carat Harry maintains perfect form on the all-weather (six-from-six) for Jamie Osborne and steps up to seven furlongs after an eye-catching Newcastle win — he looks well suited to this level. Richie’s Rocket showed plenty of raw ability when winning by nine lengths on his all-weather debut here and, though still inexperienced, rates a major threat. Hilitany brings useful Meydan form this winter; Sir Albert and Bella Lyra are other possibles. Later at Lingfield, Royal Jet bids for another success in the 3.52 contest.
Other British runners of note
– Newbury: 2.40 Rodney chases a four-timer; 3.15 Veterans’ Chase features Brave Kingdom and Eldorado Allen alongside Mister Coffey, Hang In There and Capodanno; 4.58 sees Joe Tizzard’s debutant Fairy Park draw interest.
– Doncaster earlier action: 1.25 Listed mares’ novice hurdle looks to favour Coolanna and Broomfield Aderra; 1.55 features a classy handicap led by Mighty Bandit and Queens Gamble.
– Southwell: 6.30 unbeaten Chantelle represents Sir Mark Prescott; 7.00 Aisling Oscar returns; 7.30 two newcomers for Charlie Appleby — Pursuit Of Love (a brother to Fanny Logan) and Sailor Song (related to Eldar Eldarov).
Meydan — Super Saturday highlights
A big Dubai meeting with several pattern races: 2.50 Group 3 (Symbol Of Honour, Run Boy Run), 3.25 Group 3 (Apollo One declared), 4.00 Group 2 (Quddwah vs Alakazi), 4.35 Group 2 Al Maktoum Classic (Mendelssohn Bay, Heart Of Honor fancied), 5.10 Group 2 Dubai City Of Gold (Rebel’s Romance heads an eight-strong field), 5.55 Group 3 (Audience for David O’Meara) and 6.30 where Talk Of New York is expected to be a key contender for Charlie Appleby.
International notes
– Randwick (5.40am): Group One Verry Elleegant Stakes includes Autumn Glow, Trinity College (for Chris Waller) and Sir Delius.
– Gulfstream Park (11.11): Grade Two Fountain Of Youth, a Kentucky Derby trial, features Commandment and Napoleon Solo; Sovereignty was last year’s winner.
Further reading
Constitution Hill has been ruled out of the Champion Hurdle and will not race over hurdles again, prompting debate about whether Nicky Henderson made the right call on the champion’s future.