Danehill Star Seeks Hat-Trick Victory in Brighton Handicap

Monday brings an action-packed racing card featuring events at Brighton, Newton Abbot, and Wolverhampton, all live on Sky Sports Racing.

3.15 Brighton: Danehill Star Seeks a Hat-Trick

Danehill Star aims to secure a hat-trick in the Matchbook Handicap.

The Tony Carroll-trained gelding is in stellar form, having claimed victory in his last two outings. He won over course and distance by half a length, before delivering an impressive five-length triumph at Bath. Although the handicapper has raised him by ten pounds following these successes, his dominant performance at Bath suggests he is well-equipped to complete a hat-trick of wins.

Newfangled perhaps poses the biggest threat, having won this race last season off a mark just one pound lower. He has hit form at the right time, finishing a creditable third at Windsor last time out.

Course-specialist Dion Baker has struggled from a mark of 73, a substantial rise of 36 pounds since his winning streak began in late May. However, with a two-pound drop in the handicap, he remains a contender, while On The Inlet could prove competitive if he can resume his early-season progression back down in class.

2.25 Newton Abbot: Matiwo Returns in Novices’ Hurdle

Fourth in the Dovecote, Matiwo, returns to action in the Jodie Standing’s Point-To-Point Recruits Novices’ Hurdle.

Matiwo showed great promise as a juvenile hurdler last season, winning a competitive novice event at Newbury in decisive fashion before finishing a brilliant fourth in the Grade Two Dovecote Hurdle. On that occasion, he travelled like one of the best in the race, defeating exciting types including subsequent Grade One Top Novices’ Hurdle winner, Storming George. With his current form and unexposed profile, he looks well above his opposition and should prove very tough to beat on his seasonal reappearance.

Ride Like A Girl appeared promising after undergoing wind surgery and winning in May, but has not progressed since. If he arrives in top condition following a short break, he could be competitive with the benefit of experience and fitness.

Scott’s Legacy poses the chief threat if he takes to hurdles on his debut, having won impressively in a good bumper at Southwell in March.

Pappano possesses significant ability, having been rated 96 on the Flat and contesting this year’s Triumph Hurdle for Willie Mullins. However, he has not shown much promise in his two hurdle starts, racing too keenly last time out, and has plenty to prove.

4.55 Wolverhampton: Najidi Storm Faces Wootz in Novice Stakes

Record-breaking 1-33 loser Najidi Storm faces exciting prospect Wootz in the At The Races App Novice Stakes.

Najidi Storm was highly impressive on his debut, winning by half a length with a strong finish. That debut form has proven solid, with two subsequent winners emerging from the race, including Gavriel, who went on to finish fourth in the Cambridgeshire. He then appeared to dislike heavy conditions at Goodwood, where he went down as the shortest-priced loser in British racing history at odds of 1-33. As a brother to St Leger winner Logician and half-brother to smart performer Okeechobee, he possesses ample scope for further improvement.

The opposition is strong, with the exciting Wootz set to provide a stern test.

Wootz made a striking impression with a six-and-a-half-length victory on his debut and was well fancied at Windsor. However, he hung left badly and could not quite overcome the smart Song Of The Clouds. He should continue to progress with more experience under his belt.

Al Jolson won nicely on his second start, and Shadow Boxer is likely to benefit from his debut experience and the extra furlong in trip after staying on in April.

Best of the Rest

4.27 Brighton – Royal County Glory bids for a hat-trick.

5.00 Brighton – Macanudo seeks a hat-trick.

1.50 Newton Abbot – Depalma aims for a first win over fences for the Skelton team.

3.00 Newton Abbot – Gore Point bids to bounce back when facing last-time-out winner Juggernaut.

3.35 Newton Abbot – Saint Polo can get back to form following a poor chase start as he seeks a four-timer over hurdles.

4.10 Newton Abbot – Unexposed and progressive pair, Kom Tu Voudras and Kilnew Supreme clash.

5.30 Wolverhampton – Majestic Flame can return to form following a promising debut in a hot Goodwood maiden.

8.00 Wolverhampton – Trappy 0-75 handicap.

8.30 Wolverhampton – The Anthony Gover seeks a course and distance hat-trick.

Bordeaux – Listed action

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