Sky Sports Racing brings live racing action from two venues on Thursday, with competitive fields at both Southwell and Newcastle offering plenty of intrigue across the card.
Newcastle nursery features promising debutants
The 6.00 race at Newcastle showcases a strong renewal of the Free Race Replays On attheraces.com Nursery Handicap, where two highly regarded juveniles make their nursery debuts. According to the Sporting Life racecard, Havana Lightning carries the colours with Billy Loughnane in the saddle, while Blake's Monarch is partnered by Jason Hart.
Havana Lightning arrives at Gosforth Park having stepped down in class after contesting Listed company on her previous outing. The George Boughey-trained filly captured a Yarmouth novice stakes in May before progressing to the Group Two Queen Mary, a clear indication of the regard in which she is held at the yard.
Blake's Monarch, trained by Ivan Furtado, broke his maiden at the fourth attempt when winning a Redcar novice with something in reserve. That success came following a wind operation and gelding procedure, suggesting there may be untapped potential to unlock in handicap company.
The field of 14 runners also includes Peaceful Warrior, who made a winning debut at Yarmouth in May but has since struggled to build on that early promise.
Night Of Gold seeks maiden breakthrough at a mile
The 5.30 Newcastle race features the Free Tips Daily On attheraces.com EBF Maiden Stakes, where another Boughey inmate, Night Of Gold, attempts to secure a first career victory. The colt was purchased for 800,000 guineas as a yearling and attracted significant support on his debut at Southwell, where he finished third, suggesting connections believe a step up to a mile will bring improvement.
Saint Of Seville was sent off as favourite when finishing fifth in a Sandown maiden last month and this son of Baaeed could benefit from the experience of that run, having shown signs he may have needed the outing. Hugo Palmer's newcomer Ring Of Music must be monitored in the betting given his pedigree.
Duke Of Luckley bids for hat-trick at Southwell
The 4.35 Southwell contest is the Old Stag 70th Birthday Handicap Hurdle, where Duke Of Luckley headlines proceedings as a hat-trick seeker. The Martin Keighley-trained nine-year-old has won three of his four starts this year and represents a formidable proposition in what shapes as a competitive affair.
The race is contested over 1 mile, 7 furlongs and 182 yards with nine runners. King Ulanda offers each-way appeal after winning at Uttoxeter before running with credit when third at Sedgefield, while Max Of Stars cannot be dismissed having finished ahead of King Ulanda when second most recently.
Granny Hawkins remains capable of better over hurdles and should not be overlooked in the betting.
Supporting races across both venues
The 5.10 at Southwell features a clash between last-time winners Crack Ops and Spot On Soph.
Belmont Park provides additional international action, with Charlie Clover saddling Flowerhead in a Grade Three contest at 8.46, alongside the ex-Joseph O'Brien trained Queen Of Hawaii. The 10.18 Grade One Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes sees El Cordobes and Pride Of Arras headline a field that includes Fort George, while the 10.48 Grade Two Flower Bowl Stakes features Esna, Gezora and Cathedral, with Kathynmarissa fancied.
What to watch on Thursday
Newcastle's card extends beyond the featured races, with an additional handicap scheduled for 7.30pm over 7 furlongs and 14 yards, giving punters further opportunities throughout the afternoon and evening.
