Sky Sports Racing brings a full day of action from Ripon and Auteuil today. Here’s a concise guide to the key races and the horses to watch.
3.05 Auteuil – Grand Steeple‑Chase de Paris
A top‑class renewal of the Grand Steeple‑Chase de Paris sees Toscana Du Berlais and Kolokico among the leading fancies.
Kolokico finished second in this race last year and, despite a frustrating season of near misses and a disqualification, looks to have come on from his prep run behind the reopposing Kivala Du Berlais. Trained by Emmanuel Clayeux, he could be primed to go one better.
Toscana Du Berlais, who ran fourth in this contest last year, is a model of consistency and tends to place more often than win. He appears to be peaking and is expected to produce a big performance.
Kaadem is an interesting outsider, while Gold Tweet and Kivala Du Berlais could also have roles to play in the finish.
3.50 Ripon – British EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap
The feature at Ripon is a competitive fillies’ handicap with Alpine Girl, Lebron Power and Anaisa among the principal contenders.
Alpine Girl is an obvious starting point after landing her seventh career victory at Pontefract last month; a five‑pound rise in the weights may not stop her if she’s in the same mood.
Lebron Power, a Richard Hannon-trained three‑year‑old, enjoyed a productive campaign last season with three wins and should be fitter for a recent reappearance at Newmarket. He’ll attract plenty of support.
Also worth noting are Anaisa, who has previous form in this event, and Shallow.
2.15 Auteuil – Prix Alain du Breil (Grade One)
Selma De Vary heads the line for Willie Mullins in this high‑class juvenile Grade One. Mullins has had success in this race before, most recently with Gala Marceau in 2023, and Paul Townend takes the ride.
Selma De Vary joined the Mullins yard from France with a strong reputation. She has been running to a high level despite finishing second or just behind the principals in recent big juvenile contests: runner‑up in the Leopardstown Grade One, fourth at Cheltenham when a touch unlucky, and second to Mange Tout at Aintree. That profile suggests she’s very much in the picture and likely to improve further.
Leopard Du Berlais won a Grade One in November but has been disappointing in two subsequent starts. Delmegan, who benefited from Leopard Du Berlais’s fall on her penultimate outing, recorded a useful Grade Two success last month and must be respected.
Best of the rest
– Sha Tin: Zac Purton sits on 1,993 career winners in Hong Kong and looks set to add to that tally.
– 12.58 Auteuil: Leopard Du Berlais won this Grade Three last year; Nom D’un Chien could run well for Nicolle.
– 4.30 Auteuil: Another Grade One, the Prix Ferdinand Dufaure, where Reveley is booked to ride Metronomique.
– 2.17 Ripon: In‑form Scottish Dancer clashes with Trojan Soldier in a race that should be closely fought.
– 2.47 Ripon: A two‑year‑old contest that can throw up Royal Ascot prospects — Anaisa was second in this last season.
– 7.40 Tokyo: The Group One Victoria Mile features the exciting Embroidery.
Tune in to Sky Sports Racing for live coverage and the latest updates from both Ripon and Auteuil throughout the day.