Hever Sprint Stakes Preview (Sat 22nd Feb 2025 )

The Hever Sprint Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years and over. It is run at Southwell over a distance of 4 furlongs and 215 yards (1,001 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in February or March.^[1]

The race was first run in 2003 at Lingfield Park, and was awarded Listed status in 2007. It was switched to Southwell in 2024. 

Other news, there's plenty of racing action coming thick and fast with high-profile meetings such as the Cheltenham Festival, Grand National so check out Irish free bets for their latest daily free bet promotions. We've already put a date in our diary to visit Great Yarmouth on the 22nd April. I think they have a meeting on the 5th April, the same day as the Grand National. Always an enjoyable day at the Norfolk coast.   

 BetUK Hever Sprint Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) Winner £31,614 11 runners 4f214y Standard ITV (STALLS Centre)

race conditions  £55,000 guaranteed For  4yo+ Weights  colts & geldings 9st 2lb; fillies 8st 11lb Penalties  after August 31st, 2024, a winner of a Listed race 3lb; of a Group 3 race 5lb; of a Group 1 or Group 2 race 7lb Entries  13 pay £275 Penalty value  1st  £31,614.00 2nd  £11,995.50 3rd  £6,000.50 4th  £2,997.50 5th  £1,496.00 

 

JBB FORM RATINGS : (1) DILIGENT HARRY (119) (2) CLARENDON HOUSE (117) (3) MARSHMAN (115)

 

Last years winner DILIGENT HARRY looks sure go well for Clive Cox, has excellent record on All Weather winning (7 out 12 ) Should be spot on for this race, after finishing fourth on his seasonal reappearance at Lingfield earlier this month (looked in need of the race) .Can reverse form with Marshman on 3lb better terms over this shorter trip .William Buick looks significant jockey booking, riding the horse for first time .Odds 11-4 or above look solid value .

 

Of the others MARSHMAN has been in great form this season ,winning both starts on All Weather , including winning Kachy Listed stakes at Lingfield earlier this month, though all his best form has been over 6 furlongs , has yet to win over 5 furlongs in 4 starts ,also has to carry 3lb listed penalty.

 

CLARENDON HOUSE has each-way claims, lightly raced on All Weather, winning ( 2 out 3) , including winning over C&D, though was well held third in the race last year behind Diligent Harry. Can't be ruled out on previous form ,place claims .

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 VERDICT : (1) DILIGENT HARRY (2) CLARENDON HOUSE (3) MARSHMAN  

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DILIGENT HARRY 2.40 SOUTHWELL HEVER SPRINT LISTED STAKES

2PTS WIN @ 11-4 BET365 & WILLIAM HILLS  

(FIFTH SP 4-1 LOSS 2.00 PTS)

 

RESULT : 1ST CLARENDON HOUSE (13-2) 2ND MARSHMAN (15-8) 3RD VALIANT FORCE (4-1)  

Meydan Carnival Lord Glitters Handicap Preview (Fri 7th February 2025 )

 

Lord Glitters Handicap Sponsored By Azizi Developments (Handicap) (Turf) (3yo+ 90-110) Winner £45,652 15 runners 1m1f Good To Firm RTV

 

race conditions  £76,087 guaranteed For  northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere 3yo+ Rated 90-110 Galen's Handicap Mark  105 Penalty value  1st  £45,652.17 2nd  £15,217.39 3rd  £7,608.70 4th  £3,804.35 5th  £2,282.61 6th  £1,521.74

 

The Charlie Appleby trained Kingman gelding ARABIAN LIGHT was very strong favourite to win the Lord North Handicap here last month, going off 4-7 fav, though could only manage never nearer 4L third after not getting the best of runs .However looks certain to improve for that first run of the season, had looked progressive sort last season winning two novice stakes in good style .Looks sure go well here off the same mark, though bookmakers are giving nothing away on the Godolphin runner .

 

At the prices last years winner OUZO looks the each-way value .Hasn't got much to find with Arabian Light on that Lord North handicap form ,finishing never nearer sixth having had troubled passage, just over lengh behind the Appleby horse.Has good record here at Meydan in these big field 8/9F handicaps (61123). Also looks on decent mark ,having won the race last year off 2lb higher mark .Goes particularly well for Saffie Osborne, who is reunited with the horse having missed the ride last time. Odds 7-1 or above look very fair each-way value, especially with bookmakers paying five places .

 

Of the others the Joseph O'Brien Irish raider GALEN looks the most interesting, finished 2nd to City Of Troy on debut as 2-Y-0, also had some fair form last season, including winning maiden at Curragh by 9L. Finished fair fourth on first start here at Meydan, just head behind Arabian Light in the Lord North handicap, has to concede weight all round in this handicap, though looks open to improvement as lightly raced four-year-old .

 

VERDICT : (1) ARABIAN LIGHT (2) OUZO  (3) GALEN 

 

Arabian Light looks the most likely winner on last seasons progressive UK form, though these big field handicaps are never easy to win here at Meydan, makes no appeal at even money in 16 runner handicap. OUZO has good chance of at least hitting the frame at decent odds. Goes well here at Meydan, looks worth small each-way bet.

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RECOMMENDED BET ;

 

OUZO 3.50 MEYDAN( LORD GLITTERS HANDICAP)

0.50 PT EACH-WAY @ 8-1 (1/5 ODDS 1-2-3-4-5 ) BOYLESPORT 

(UNPLACED SP 6-1 LOSS -1.00)

 

Hong Kong Superstar Romantic Warrior

Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior confirmed his status as the world’s #1 racehorse with another brilliant G1 victory in track record time at Dubai Carnival meeting at Meydan where he coasted home to claim the Jebel Hatta.

Already the record prize-money earner of all time, this incredible seven-year-old was recording his tenth G1 success as he scored by 4½ lengths from Poker Face to claim the $500,000 contest. Following his victories in the Cox Plate (Australia) and Yasuda Kinen (Japan) – plus a slew of domestic victories in Hong Kong – Romantic Warrior has now won G1 races in four different countries.

Frankly, it seems hard that any other horse could have claims to being the world’s leading racehorse, and he duly spends his 28th week at the top of Thoroughbred Racing Commentary’s Global Rankings with a 75pt boost.

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Racing career

1st 2022 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m, Sha Tin) beating Tourbillon Diamond and Panfield^[4]

1st 2022 Hong Kong Cup (2000m, Sha Tin) beating Danon The Kid and Money Catcher^[5]

1st 2023 Cox Plate (2040m WFA, The Valley) beating Mr Brightside and Alligator Blood^[7]

1st 2023 Hong Kong Cup (2000m, Sha Tin) beating Luxembourg and Hishi Iguazu^[8]

1st 2024 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m, Sha Tin) beating Voyage Bubble and Nimble Nimbus^[9]

1st 2024 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m, Sha Tin) beating Prognosis and North Bridge^[10]

1st 2024 Yasuda Kinen (1600m, Tokyo) beating Namur and Soul Rush^[11]

1st 2024 Hong Kong Cup (2000m, Sha Tin) beating Liberty Island and Tastiera^[12]

1st 2025 Jebel Hatta (1800m, Meydan) beating Poker Face and Holloway Boy

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2021: Coming to Hong Kong

Foaled in Ireland in 2018, the son of Acclamation was sourced by the former top jockey Michael Kinane and sold at the Hong Kong International Sale in 2021 to Peter Lau Pak Fai for HKD 4.8M (UK £493,788. Romantic Warrior was then sent to the Manton Estate in Wiltshire, England for further training before coming to Hong Kong as a racehorse.^[13]

On 20 October 2021, he made winning debut at the Happy Valley Racecourse in a Group IV 1200m race ridden by Joao Moreira.

The seven-year-old geldings record now stands at  : (23 races ) (18 wins)  (3 Seconds ) (2 Fourths )

Total Prizemoney HK$ 179,688,247 (UK £ 18,132,187 ) US$ (22,635,678 )

Romantic Warrior will be set another new task next, with trainer Danny Shum looking towards a first attempt on dirt in the worlds richest race the $20 million Saudi Cup on February 22.

Dubai Millennium Stakes Preview (Meydan Friday 31st January 2025 )

The Dubai Millennium Stakes, is a horse race for horses aged four and over, run at a distance of 2,000 metres (ten furlongs) on turf in late January or early February at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.

The Dubai Millennium Stakes was first contested in 2014 as a Listed race before being elevated to Group 3 class in 2016. It is named in honour of the racehorse Dubai Millennium. 

 

RECORD TIME  : 2:00.33 – Ghaiyyath 2020

Most wins by a jockey:

5 – William Buick 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2023

Most wins by a trainer:

8 – Charlie Appleby 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

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Dubai Millennium Stakes Sponsored By Emaar (Group 3) (Turf) (3yo+) Winner £91,304 10 runners 1m2f Good To Firm RTV

 

race conditions  £152,174 guaranteed For  northern hemisphere 4yo+ and southern hemisphere 3yo Weight for age  4yo from 5yo+ 1lb Penalty value  1st  £91,304.35 2nd  £30,434.78 3rd  £15,217.39 4th  £7,608.70 5th  £4,565.22 6th  £3,043.48 

 

JBB FORM RATINGS : (1) SEE HECTOR (116) (2)  FIRST CONQUEST (115) (3) CAIRO (114)

 

The feature race on the card the 10f Dubai Millenium stakes on the turf at Meydan.The Charlie Appleby trained four-year-old gelding FIRST CONQUEST is sure be popular after winning the Lord North Handicap in impressive style by 4L earlier this month at Meydan ,off mark 98.That looked good peforomance in strong looking handicap.This G3 contest will be lot tougher ,though still has to be respected for stable thats won this race for last 7 years, strong claims though not for me at very skinny price . 

 

The ex German six-year old SEE HECTOR looks interesting contender, after finishing promising 4L second to First Conquest on his first start for Jamie Osborne earlier this month, staying on nicely in closing stages,  now meets that rival on 7lb better terms .Had some decent form in Germany in 2023/24,including winning two group 3 races at Dusseldorf .Looks open to further improvement over this longer trip .Odds 5-1 or above look solid win /place value .

Of the others ASAASSI has each-way claims after winning Zabeel Turf handicap in good style over C/D earlier this month.Takes step up in class into group company for first time ,though has decent record on turf (4 out 7) .

 

VERDICT : (1) SEE HECTOR (2) FIRST CONQUEST (3) ASAASS1 

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ONE RECOMMENDED BET 31ST JANUARY 2025 

 

SEE HECTOR 4.25 MEYDAN DUBAI MILLENNIUM STAKES

1PT WIN @ BSP 

1PT PLACE @ BSP 

(UNPLACED BSP 11.99 LOSS -2.00 )

Fashion Friday Preview Meydan Fri 24th Jan 2025

Fashion Friday at Meydan, with cracking card , featuring eight group races, including the feature race the G1 Jebel Hatta.

The Worlds highest earning racehorse Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior makes his middle east debut , taking on course record holder Measuring Time in what looks fascinating contest in Jebel Hatta .

UAE 2000 Guineas Presented By Longines (Group 3) (Dirt) (3yo) Winner £91,304 16 runners 1m Fast RTV

 

race conditions  £152,174 guaranteed For  3yo Weight for age  3yo from 4yo 20lb Penalty value  1st  £91,304.35 2nd  £30,434.78 3rd  £15,217.39 4th  £7,608.70 5th  £4,565.22 6th  £3,043.48 

 

JBB RATINGS : (1) HEART OF HONOUR (96) (2) GOLDEN VEKOMA (93) (3) HAM PHRIK 

 

The Jamie Osborne trained HEART OF HONOUR comes out top on ratings, after winning both starts here at Meydan in impressive style , including winning conditions race over C&D earlier this month .The form of his previous race has worked out well, beating subsequent winner Golden Vekoma by over 10L .Will have to overcome tricky draw in stall 12 ,though shouldn't be big problem in this mile contest .Odds  2-1 look fair value in weak looking G3 contest.

 

Golden Vekoma looks the main danger, after winning UAE 2000 Guineas trial in good style last time .That looked decent effort in good time, looks open to further improvement returning to mile, though won't find it easy reversing previous form with Heart Of Honour .

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Al Maktoum Challenge Presented By Longines (Group 1) (Dirt) (3yo+) Winner £480,000 12 runners 1m1f110y Fast RTV

 

race conditions  £800,000 guaranteed For  northern hemisphere 4yo+; southern hemisphere 3yo Weight for age  4yo from 5yo+ 1lb Penalty value  1st  £480,000.00 2nd  £160,000.00 3rd  £80,000.00 4th  £40,000.00 5th  £24,000.00 6th  £16,000.00 

 

JBB FORM RATINGS : (1) WALK THE STARS (122) (2) KABIRKHAN (120) (3) IMPERIAL EMPEROR (117)

 

Last years winner KABIRKHAN has to be respected on his return, was impressive winner of this race last year ,beating Franz Strauss by very easy 4.75 lenghs. though hasn't been seen since bombing out in Dubai World Cup 300 days ago when well beaten favourite for the race. Normally goes well fresh, though not for me at short price 

 

The ultra consistent WALK OF STARS should go well from the front, after producing career best effort last time at Meydan, winning the Entisar listed stakes by 11 lenghs, making all in good time (0.70 fast ) That was his first victory at Meydan, having finished second three times, including finishing good second in G2 Godolphin mile & G2 Al Maktoum Challenge.Takes step up in class, though this doesn't look the strongest G1dirt contest.Odds around 4-1 look solid each-way value .

The very useful French performer FACTEUR CHEVAL looks fascinating runner on his first start on dirt ,  top class performer on turf, including winning G1 Dubai Turf here last season and finishing good second in QE11 on Champions Day behind Charyn, though never easy switching to dirt .

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Al Khail Trophy Presented By Longines (Group 3) (Turf) (4yo+) Winner £91,304 10 runners 1m6f11y Good To Firm RTV

 

race conditions  £152,174 guaranteed For  northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere 4yo+ Weight for age  4yo from 5yo+ 3lb Penalty value  1st  £91,304.35 2nd  £30,434.78 3rd  £15,217.39 4th  £7,608.70 5th  £4,565.22 6th  £3,043.48

 

JBB RATINGS : (1) KING OF CONQUEST 119  (2) CAIUS CHORISTER (117) (3) TRAFALGAR SQUARE (116)

The Charlie Appleby trained KING OF CONQUEST finished promising second at Meydan earlier this month, staying on nicely in closing stages having been outpaced 3 furlongs out  .That looked fair effort on his first start of the season, had some decent form last season winning two listed races at Goodwood & Newmarket .Should come on for that first run of the season .Odds around 2/1 look fair price .

Of the others Caius Chorister has solid each-way claims on pick last seasons form , including finishing close second in both Sagaro Stakes & Henry 11 stakes

The ex French Performer Trafalgar Square also looks interesting runner on his first start for Bhupat Seemar , had some fair form in group company last season in France, including finishing good second in G2 Prix Chaudenay behind Illinois at Longchamp .

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RECOMMENDED BETS MEYDAN FRIDAY 24TH JANUARY 

HEART OF HONOUR 2.05 UAE 2000 GUINEAS 

2PTS WIN @ 2-1 SKYBET

(RESULT: 2ND SP 13-8 LOSS 2.00 PTS)

WALK OF STARS 4.25 AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE 

1PT EACH-WAY @ 4-1 SKYBET (1/5 ODDS 1-2-3-4)

(RESULT : WINNER SP 10-3 PROFIT +4.80 PTS )

KING OF CONQUEST 6.10 AL KHAIL TROPHY 

2PTS WIN @ 2-1 SKYBET 

(RESULT : SECOND SP 9-4 LOSS 2.00 PTS

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0.25PT EACH-WAY TREBLE @ 44-1 SKYBET (2-1)(4-1) (2-1)

(2ND .WON .2ND )PROFIT + 0.38 

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TOTAL : (STAKED 6.50 PTS) (RETURN 7.68 PTS ) (PROFIT +1.18 PTS )