A Winter Derby Trial from Southwell headlines Friday’s live action on Sky Sports Racing, with Andrew Balding’s Eydon strongly fancied.
6.30 Southwell – Eydon and Champagne Prince lock horns in Winter Derby Trial
Andrew Balding’s Eydon sets the standard with an official mark of 109. Lightly raced for his age, he finished last year with a string of solid efforts including when second behind the reopposing Champagne Prince at Kempton. A slight shift in the weights should mean he’s in the mix again for this BetUK Winter Derby Trial Conditions Stakes.
Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Champagne Prince arrives in red-hot form winning four of his five starts on the all-weather and this improving three-year-old rates a strong contender in this quality affair.
Intinso made a satisfactory start for new trainer Craig Lidster when third at Wolverhampton and should strip fitter, while Claymore will need to bounce back from a lacklustre effort at Newcastle.
2.45 Lingfield – The Two Amigos, Lady Balko and Major Dundee headline National field
Nicky Martin’s stable star The Two Amigos showed he retains plenty of ability when chasing home Saint Xavier in a Class 2 handicap chase at Haydock last month and a similar effort would see him go close as he drops in class, despite a 3lb higher mark.
Major Dundee is another who relishes a marathon trip and he is now just 1lb higher than when claiming the Midlands National back in 2023. However, Alan King’s charge has struggled since and was last seen 23 lengths behind Celebre d’Allen at Bangor.
Others to note include David Pipe’s Lady Balko who rattled off a hat-trick over fences in December before struggling when upped to Listed level last time. This Surrey National Handicap Chase looks more suitable, and she is fancied to bounce back under Jack Tudor.
Olly Murphy’s Here Comes McCoy is unexposed over the larger obstacles and completes the shortlist under Sean Bowen.
3.28 Newcastle – Hierarchy and Muscika contest feature
The Jamie Osborne-trained Hierarchy comfortably saw off a good field at Lingfield on his last start only to be disqualified for weighing in light. If in the same mood here, this BetUK: It’s Where The UK Bets Handicap presents an excellent opportunity to make amends under same rider William Carver.
Veteran Muscika scored for the seventeenth time in a remarkable 121-race career when narrowly landing a course and distance event earlier this month and looks to follow up off this 1lb higher mark.
Antony Brittain’s Bellagio Man can often blow his chance at the start but granted a clear break he rates an each-way player.
Best of the rest
Haut Folin will be eyeing an end to a luckless run in the 1.45pm At The Races App Form Study Handicap Chase at Lingfield, having chased home a sole rival on his last two starts. Venetia Williams’ charge is set to be joined at the post by Christian Williams’ Always Busy, who struck with ease when last seen at Warwick earlier this month.
At 2.15pm, Drayton Flyer will look to go one better after showing promise when second on debut for Olly Murphy at Wetherby. The Skeltons field Disco Davis in this Monthly Cashback @ greatbet.co.uk Maiden Hurdle, who may be in the frame if he can eradicate mistakes that have seen him fall in two of his last three starts. Murphy has another chance in the closing 4.18pm Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Handicap Hurdle in the shape of Eaton Allen, who produced the goods first time of asking after a wind operation at Uttoxeter on New Year’s Eve.
Over at Newcastle, Antiquity looks to follow up in the Gamble Responsibly At Betmgm Handicap for Jamie Osborne after landing a big gamble the last day, but will have to carry a 6lb penalty.
Target Man and Power Fizz will both be well-fancied for the Best Odds Guaranteed At BetMGM Maiden Stakes for the George Boughey and William Haggas stables, but don’t discount A War Eagle after his third placed finish on debut.
Internationally speaking, Mickael Barzalona, Zac Purton and Christophe Soumillon feature heavily on a busy card at Sha Tin. The feature is the Group 3 Centenary Vase, with Encountered and Five G Patch in the mix at 6.00am. Royal Ascot winner Mickley is in action in the 8.10am Hong Kong Classic Mile, with £748,000 up for grabs.
Watch all the action from Southwell, Newcastle, Lingfield and Sha Tin – live on Sky Sports Racing…
