What a day we have ahead of us! Doncaster, Uttoxeter, Newcastle and Wolverhampton host live racing before the Pegasus World Cup takes centre stage – live on Sky Sports Racing.
3.15 Doncaster – The Changing Man and Tightenourbelts feature
Joe Tizzard’s The Changing Man will head the betting under Brendan Powell as he seeks a first success over fences. Runner-up on his last two starts in top handicaps at Newcastle and Ascot, he is sure to run another big race off this 2lb higher mark.
The Emma Lavelle-trained Tightenourbelts has always been considered a useful performer contesting Grade 1 company as a novice. The eight-year-old arrives looking for the hat-trick after winning at Exeter and Ludlow and he rates an each-way player on this step up in class.
Last year’s runner-up Forward Plan likes the track, while Charlie Uberalles will hope to follow up his recent course success.
2.40 Doncaster – Kateira, Wyenot and Jetara headline Yorkshire Rose sextet
A cracking Grade 2 Virgin Bet Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle sees Dan Skelton’s Kateira among a field of six.
A Listed winner on her penultimate start, she ran a race full of credit when fifth in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot and should appreciate the drop in grade under Harry Skelton.
Wyenot produced a career-best display when running away with a Listed Mares’ event over this course and distance and she must be feared as she bids for a first Graded victory.
Irish contender Jetara brings in some useful form and her rating of 145 will see her competitive provided she stays this extra distance, with cheekpieces to help.
2.05 Doncaster – Western Knight and Ma Shantou fancied for Grade 2
There’s an open feel to this Grade 2 Pertemps Network River Don Novices’ Hurdle with Western Knight heading a field of eight.
Joe Tizzard’s six-year-old has taken well to hurdles winning two of his three starts and having chased home Jet Blue at Cheltenham last month, he will be popular to go one better in this similar heat.
Emma Lavelle saddles the progressive Ma Shantou who is another dual hurdle winner. He steps up in trip and Grade and must be respected for his in-form team.
Moon Rocket is unbeaten over hurdles, while Jig’s Forge completes the shortlist.
Best of the rest
In the 12.20pm Livescore Bet Fillies’ Juvenile Hurdle at Doncaster, Belfrina and Matwana are set to meet again with last-time-out winner Morning Air also in the mix for Venetia Williams. Nells Son will be well-fancied for success in the 1.30pm Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase, but don’t discount the hat-trick seeing Stormin Crossgales or the Skeltons’ Calico.
The four-runner 2025 Uttoxeter Annual Membership Now Available Mares’ Handicap Chase looks a really intriguing affair at 12.12pm. Sacre Coeur is down to a rating of 129 and could suit the step down in trip up against Ip Up, Lime Drop and Evan Williams’ It’s Easy.
Royyssee and Drayton Flyer appear the ones to beat in the Colin Bevan 66th Birthday Maiden Hurdle at Uttoxeter, although Tchoupinminzac is not to be discounted for the inform Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole training duo.
At Newcastle, a Class 3 BetMGM: It’s Showtime Handicap featuring Brewing and Society Man headlines the hard at 5.35pm, before the red-hot Kylian goes to post in the Weekly £5 Free Bet With BetUK Handicap at Wolverhampton (5.50pm) for Archie Watson.
There’s also top-class action to look forward to Stateside, starting with the La Prevoyante Stakes at 7.04pm from Gulfstream Park. Beautiful Love is the mount of William Buick and Charlie Appleby and should go close on her first appearance since the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Turf back in November. The 8.13pm William L McKnight Stakes sees Appleby field Bold Act, who will have to be at his very best to defeat Limited Liability, who is partnered with Frankie Dettori.
The highlights of the night see Nations Pride and Major Dude contest the Grade 1 Pegasus Turf before Mystik Dan, Saudi Crown and Locked clash in the Pegasus World Cup.
