The third day of the Welsh Racing Festival at Chepstow continues live on Sky Sports Racing on Sunday, headlined by a major handicap hurdle contest featuring Service Minimum and Leader Crik.
In the 3:47 DragonBet Cefnogi Rasing Ceffylau Cymreig Handicap Hurdle, the Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies stable continues its strong form. Leader Crik is expected to be a leading contender on his debut in handicap company. After winning by 12 lengths in a Doncaster maiden hurdle earlier this year, he faces an increased distance while ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies.
Service Minimum arrives fresh off a victory at Newton Abbot last month. Despite carrying an additional six pounds, she may still have improvement to offer over the extended trip.
Also to watch is Matty’s Getaway, who finished the previous season with a gritty win at Haydock; a repeat of that performance could see him challenge for the place.
In the 4:22 race, in-form Haas Boy looks to complete a hat-trick in the DragonBet Born In Wales Seniors’ Handicap Hurdle. The nine-year-old, trained by Chester Williams, resumed his winning ways at Wincanton and Ascot in March and returns from a summer break with strong chances off a lower mark.
Ooh Betty, trained by Ben Clarke and Ben Jones, stands as the primary danger. The mare won the Grade Two Warfield Mares’ Hurdle at Ascot in January and impressed at Cheltenham and Ayr, making her well-suited to this step down in grade. Consistent runners Norn Iron and Gower Prince are also in the mix, alongside Glengouly, who is being switched back to hurdles.
The card opens at 1:27 with the DragonBet/EBF Mares’ ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle, featuring an exciting trio: Princess Day, Divine Diva, and Connells Cross. Princess Day, who won her first two bumpers and a point-to-point, was the 2/1 favorite when beaten in the Grade Two race at Aintree in April, finishing ahead of Divine Diva. Divine Diva, a point-to-point winner from last March, showed promise with a third-place finish in Listed company at Cheltenham in November.
Connells Cross, who won two of three bumper starts for Jennie Candlish, makes her hurdling debut for Kim Bailey and Mat Nicholls and could prove to be a high-class performer.
Other key contenders include Old Coast Road, seeking a second win in the 4:57 at Chepstow, and Harbour Light, who faces 12 rivals in the 3:12 feature. Racing action also moves to Auteuil, where Grade Two and Grade Three contests take place, including a race featuring last year’s winner Losange Bleu.
Full race replays and the latest results are available on Sky Sports Racing.
Interesting how Ooh Betty steps down in grade. She might just have too much class for these opponents, especially with her form at Cheltenham.
Leader Crik looks like a serious beast after that dominant win at Doncaster. Sam Twiston-Davies riding him is no coincidence!