Sky Sports Racing brings a packed Tuesday card from Southwell and Wolverhampton, with big handicaps and interesting maidens to follow live.
8.30 Wolverhampton — Francesi, Mr Nugget and Aisling Oscar clash
The final race at Wolverhampton, the Win £250,000 With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Handicap, looks set to feature three leading all-weather performers. Tony Carroll’s Francesi sits third in the All-Weather Horse of the Year standings after a winter run that produced four wins and five seconds and he heads into the race with the £100,000 prize well in his sights. David Simcock’s Mr Nugget had been in terrific form—placed in eight of his previous nine starts—before a disappointment at Newcastle three days ago; David Egan takes the ride for the first time since November. Adrian Keatley’s Aisling Oscar may be lining up for the finale of a record-breaking all-weather campaign that has included eight straight wins; the five-year-old ran with promise over six furlongs at Wolverhampton on Monday and, if he handles the step back up in trip, is a major player.
8.00 Wolverhampton — Montevetro features for Godolphin in the Midnite maiden
Godolphin’s 800,000gns yearling Montevetro is one of five declared for the Create Your Bet Builders At Midnite Maiden Stakes. The Mehmas colt, a half-brother to Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Mac Swiney, finished second on debut at Chelmsford 17 days ago after shaping a touch green; the booking of Billy Loughnane is a positive as Charlie Appleby’s colt seeks to break his maiden at the second attempt. The likely main threat is Sea The Stars colt Royal Standard, who was fifth on debut in the race won by Oxagon and may improve with this step up in trip for Andrew Balding. Edward Bethell’s Stepanov disappointed as favourite on his first outing late last year and will be expected to improve over this longer trip. Echo Valley (Tom Symonds) and Cribbins (the Osbornes) complete the field.
8.00 Wolverhampton — Novice stakes for daughters of Starman and more
The Midnite Aint Your Grandads Bookie Novice Stakes over the minimum trip has a four-runner line-up. James Tate’s Time To Take Off, a Starman filly and half-sister to Coronation Stakes winner Cercene, won on debut at Nottingham in the autumn and returns with Rossa Ryan booked. Archie Watson’s Merlier, partnered by Hollie Doyle, was narrowly denied on debut before scoring comfortably at Newcastle two weeks ago and represents the main danger. Burdett Estate, a recent course-and-distance winner for Brian Toomey in December, brings useful experience, while Grant Tuer’s Dolo’s Star finished fifth on her only start in the race won by Archie Watson’s Melier.
Also to note around the card: Panama Black, Mollie Foster and Rossa Ryan’s Farasi Lane.
Best of the rest
– 2.00 Southwell — Smurfette and Lilting Verse head a five-runner field.
– 2.05 Saint-Cloud — A maiden featuring several well-bred types.
– 2.40 Saint-Cloud — Maiden with representatives from the Aga Khan and Wertheimer stables.
– 3.15 Saint-Cloud — Listed Prix Rose de Mai, the feature with 12 declared.
– 3.30 Southwell — Jack The Savage bids for back-to-back wins for Laura Horsfall.
– 5.00 Southwell — Cher Monsieur and Bravethewaves both seek successive victories.
– 5.30 Wolverhampton — Auntie Jo and Kipp Kelly renew their rivalry.
– 7.30 Wolverhampton — Beaumadier looks to force his way into the top 10 of the Horse of the Year leaderboard.
Tune into Sky Sports Racing for live coverage and analysis across both venues as these contests unfold.