Sky Sports Racing is very much the place to be today! Doncaster and Ffos Las open their gates for big days of jumps racing before Southwell takes centre stage on the Flat…
2.45 Doncaster – Shanagh Bob takes on in-form Wise Eagle
Nicky Henderson’s Shanagh Bob tops a field of eight for the feature at Doncaster. A Grade Two winner as a novice in the Donnellys’ colours, he struggled to take to fences and ran an encouraging second on his return to the smaller obstacles at Huntingdon. With that effort behind him, he could take plenty of beating with Freddie Gordon claiming a handy 3lb.
Useful Flat performer Wise Eagle has won two of his three starts over hurdles and, having chased home Roaring Legend in a Class Two at Newcastle on his last start, he will be popular to complete the hat-trick on handicap debut.
Aintree winner Lavida Adiva is worth a mention, while David Pipe’s American Sniper remains on a competitive mark for this Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Handicap Hurdle.
6.00 Southwell – Transparent faces Tapis Rouge in useful novice
Tom Ward saddles Transparent, who built on his first start when comfortably landing a Kempton novice, and this looks a good opportunity for him to follow up under Sean Levey in the Win £1M With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Restricted Novice Stakes.
The Sir Mark Prescott-trained Tapis Rouge showed up well for a long way on his last start over this course and one-mile distance and, with further progress to come, he must be feared under Luke Morris.
Hughie Morrison’s Sawgrass, related to Group Two winner Stay Alert, drops back in distance having finished sixth on debut at Kempton and is open to plenty of improvement.
4.50 Ffos Las – Angels Breath and Shearer clash in finale
A cracking finale where Angels Breath bids to follow up his recent Taunton victory under Ed Vaughan. Lightly raced for his age, he could have more to come in this sphere as he steps up in class.
Paul Nicholls’ Shearer is 2-2 over fences having scored on both starts back in 2023. He returns from a 600-day break and, providing he is fit enough, he could take this dragonbet.co.uk Open Hunters’ Chase before heading on to better things.
Acey Milan was narrowly denied on his return in a Larkhill point-to-point last month and merits respect for the Anthony Honeyball team.
Others
Knead A Win steps out into handicap company for the first time at Ffos Las for Sam Thomas, and could well land the spoils in the Celtic Subaru Handicap Hurdle at 4.15pm. Gardener carries top weight for Olly Murphy here and may improve stepping up in trip after a solid effort in first the last day at Uttoxeter.
Stressfree showed ability first time over hurdles at Catterick on New Year’s Day and could go even closer at Doncaster in the 2.10pm Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Maiden Hurdle. Beau Quali was going the best when he fell three out at Newcastle last month and could be in the frame if he can rectify his jumping.
The closing Livescore Bet Handicap Chase on Town Moor at 4.30pm sees Rath Gaul Hill go for the hat-trick after a near-10-month absence. James Bowen is jocked up for trainer Samuel Drinkwater.
Over at Southwell, winning machine Carlton will be well fancied in the Gamble Responsibly At BetUK “Hands And Heels” Apprentice Handicap at 5.00pm. James Owen’s charge has four wins in five starts to his name this winter and will likely see a swell of support in the market.
Watch Doncaster, Ffos Las and Southwell live on Sky Sports Racing on Thursday February 4.
