Danehill Star Targeting Third Consecutive Win at Brighton

A busy racing card is set for Monday featuring action from Brighton, Newton Abbot, and Wolverhampton, all broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing.

At Brighton’s 3:15 race, Tony Carroll-trained Danehill Star is seeking a hat-trick in the Bet £20 Get £40 in Free Bets at matchbook.com Handicap. The gelding has reached peak form, securing victories in his two most recent outings. He won by half a length over course and distance before dominating at Bath by more than five lengths. Although the handicapper has increased his rating by ten pounds following these successes, his impressive performance at Bath suggests he remains a strong contender.

He faces a significant challenge from Newfangled, who won this event last season off a mark just one pound lower and recently delivered a solid third-place finish at Windsor. Course specialist Dion Baker, who has struggled recently after a 36-pound rise since his late May wins, drops two pounds and retains a chance. On The Inlet may also compete effectively if he can replicate his early-season upward trajectory in a lower class.

Meanwhile, at Newton Abbot’s 2:25 race, Matiwo makes his seasonal reappearance in the Jodie Standing’s Point-To-Point Recruits Novices’ Hurdle. The juvenile showed great promise last term, winning a novice race at Newbury and finishing fourth in the Grade Two Dovecote Hurdle, where he competed against future Grade One winner Storming George. His unexposed profile and current form make him a formidable opponent.

Ride Like A Girl could be competitive if he has improved since his May victory following wind surgery. Scott’s Legacy emerges as the main threat if he handles hurdles for the first time, having won impressively in a Southwell bumper in March. Pappano, rated 96 on the flat and a former Triumph hurdle contender for Willie Mullins, faces the task of proving himself over obstacles after two unconvincing starts.

At Wolverhampton, the 4:55 Novice Stakes features Najidi Storm, who holds the distinction of being the shortest-priced loser in British racing history at odds of 1-33. Despite this recent setback at Goodwood in heavy conditions, he showed brilliance on debut and hails from a strong lineage, including being the brother of St Leger winner Logician and half-brother to Okeechobee. He faces a stern test against Wootz, who impressed with a six-and-a-half-length debut win before hanging left at Windsor.

Other notable entries include Al Jolson and Shadow Boxer at Wolverhampton, while Royal County Glory and Macanudo are both targeting hat-tricks at Brighton. At Newton Abbot, Depalma seeks his first fence victory, Gore Point looks to regain form against Juggernaut, and Saint Polo aims for a four-timer over hurdles.