A full card of all-weather racing is set for Thursday evening at Southwell, with live coverage on Sky Sports Racing. The night’s feature event is the 7:30 Sky Sports Racing Virgin 512 Handicap, where recent winners Fiorella Princess and Elvetham are poised for a fierce contest.
Carrying the top weight after a dominant five-length victory in a Yarmouth handicap earlier this month under Billy Loughnane, Fiorella Princess is considered the one to beat despite a five-pound penalty. She faces stiff resistance from Elvetham, who secured her fourth career win comfortably over this same distance at Lingfield 23 days ago, even as she moves up in class.
Other notable entries in the race include Court Drive, which finished second as favorite at Yarmouth on its previous outing and may benefit from the addition of a visor. Nabati reverses form against Arapaho Gold, while Isle Of Lismore and Got The Booty complete the shortlist.
In the 8:00 Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Fillies’ Handicap, consistent performer Emma’s Letter takes on a field of 13 rivals. Ed Dunlop’s filly follows a convincing win in a Newmarket heat and looks likely to improve further under Loughnane. Opposing her is James Horton and Daniel Muscutt’s Hamdania, who won by a nose at Wolverhampton and ran a creditable second at Lingfield. Making her handicap debut from an opening mark of 74, Hamdania is viewed with interest over the extended three-furlong trip.
Additional contenders to watch include fellow handicap debutant Aunt Roberta, trained by George Scott, as well as Kino Plasmat and Lucy The Wire.
The 6:30 Free Bets Ontheraces.com Novice Stakes over six furlongs features 11 runners, headlined by Pulse Of Fire and Lady Henshaw. Pulse Of Fire showed promise with an early speed display at Redcar before finishing third, while Patrick Owen’s Lady Henshaw continues her progression after an encouraging second at Pontefract. Jack Mitchell rides Lady Henshaw, and the hood remains off. Meanwhile, the Boughey stable sends out Night Of Thunder colt Hunstanton, who is worth monitoring in the betting markets. Champion Crown, having undergone wind and gelding surgery, returns with cheekpieces added.
Among the best of the rest, the 7:00 race sees 79-rated Leading Times take on four other runners at Southwell. Across the channel at Compiegne at 1:30, Puck makes a notable appearance representing trainer Fabre.
Interesting that Hamdania gets an extended trip. Might be a better test for her fitness than a sprint, could upset the favorites.
Fiorella Princess looks tough dropping back in class here. That five-pound penalty is annoying though, makes it harder to back confidently.