We have a busy day’s racing on Tuesday with action from Southwell and Wolverhampton live on Sky Sports Racing.
8.30 Wolverhampton – Francesi, Mr Nugget and Aisling Oscar clash
The final race at Wolverhampton on Tuesday is an intriguing one as three of the top 10 in the All-Weather Horse of the Year standings look set to clash in the Win £250,000 With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Handicap.
Francesi for Tony Carroll is currently third in the standings after a strong winter sequence that included four wins and five seconds, and he has the £100,000 prize in his sights.
David Simcock’s Mr Nugget had been in excellent form before disappointing three days ago at Newcastle; he had placed in eight of his previous nine runs and David Egan takes the ride here for the first time since November.
Aisling Oscar may be making the final start of a record-breaking all-weather campaign that featured eight consecutive wins. Adrian Keatley’s five-year-old ran with promise over six furlongs at Wolverhampton on Monday and, if able to follow that up a day later, looks a serious contender stepping back up in trip.
8.00 Wolverhampton – 800,000gns yearling Montevetro features for Godolphin
Godolphin’s 800,000gns yearling Montevetro meets four rivals in the Create Your Bet Builders At Midnite Maiden Stakes. The Mehmas colt is a half-brother to Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Mac Swiney and finished second on debut at Chelmsford 17 days ago, shaping a touch green. The booking of Billy Loughnane is a positive for Charlie Appleby’s three-year-old as he seeks to break his maiden at the second time of asking.
The main threat could be the Sea The Stars colt Royal Standard, who was fifth on debut in a race won by the exciting Oxagon; Andrew Balding will hope the step up in trip suits him. Edward Bethell’s Starspangledbanner colt Stepanov disappointed on debut when sent off favourite late last year and his handler will be seeking improvement on this longer trip. Echo Valley for Tom Symonds and Cribbins for the Osbornes complete the five-strong field.
8.00 Wolverhampton – Half-sister to Cercene bids to remain unbeaten
Four go to post in the penultimate race at Wolverhampton, the Midnite Aint Your Grandads Bookie Novice Stakes over the minimum trip.
James Tate saddles the Starman filly Time To Take Off, a half-sister to Coronation Stakes winner Cercene. The three-year-old won on debut at Nottingham in the autumn and hasn’t been seen since, but that Nottingham form has been boosted by subsequent winners; Rossa Ryan is booked.
The main danger may be Merlier for Hollie Doyle and Archie Watson, who was narrowly denied on debut before getting off the mark two weeks ago with a comfortable Newcastle success. Burdett Estate, a last-time-out winner for Brian Toomey over course and distance in December, brings useful course experience. Grant Tuer’s Dolo’s Star is the fourth runner, having finished fifth on her only start in the race won by Archie Watson’s Melier.
Other to note: Panama Black, Mollie Foster and Rossa Ryan’s Farasi Lane.
Best of the rest
2.00 Southwell – Smurfette and Lilting Verse headline a field of five.
2.05 Saint-Cloud – Maiden featuring several nicely bred types.
2.40 Saint-Cloud – Maiden with the Aga Khan and Wertheimer represented.
3.15 Saint-Cloud – Listed Prix Rose de Mai – 12 go to post in the feature race.
3.30 Southwell – Jack The Savage seeks successive wins for Laura Horsfall.
5.00 Southwell – Cher Monsieur and Bravethewaves bid for back-to-back wins.
5.30 Wolverhampton – Auntie Jo and Kipp Kelly clash again.
7.30 Wolverhampton – Beaumadier aims to break into the top 10 of the Horse of the Year leaderboard.