It’s a busy Monday on Sky Sports Racing, with action unfolding at Lingfield and Hereford before evening racing transitions to Wolverhampton’s all-whether track. Today’s cards present a compelling mix of seasoned performers and promising newcomers, setting the stage for an exciting day of National Hunt and Flat racing.
1.10 Lingfield – Nunc Est Bibendum Aims for Hat-Trick
All eyes will be on Nunc est Bibendum in the Midnite, Building The Future Of betting Handicap as she attempts to secure her third consecutive victory. This mare has quickly become a force to be reckoned with as joining the Gary and Josh Moore stable in November 2024, acquired from Stephen Gerard Carey’s yard. It became apparent early on that her strengths lie in shorter distances.
Her breakthrough win came in December, overcoming trouble in-running to triumph off a mark of 57. A month later, at Southwell, she displayed dominant form, winning convincingly under Lewis Edmunds. This impressive performance prompted a 9lb rise in her handicap rating, now standing at 70.The question now is whether she can maintain her momentum against a competitive field.
Young Endless appears to be the main danger, despite a less-than-stellar record at Lingfield (zero wins in three attempts). However, she demonstrated her ability to string together victories with a hat-trick of wins in November of the previous year. The remaining contenders, Prince Quattro and A Tickatickatiming, trained by James Owen and Sheena West respectively, have shown inconsistency and will need to be at their best to challenge for the win.
1.30 Hereford – Looping d’Arc Steps Up in Grade
The unexposed Looping d’Arc faces a stern test at Hereford this afternoon, lining up against 13 rivals in a competitive hurdle race. Trained by Warren Greatrex,this gelding is looking to build on his impressive debut victory at Southwell. His limited race experience – just two starts – hasn’t prevented him from showcasing important potential.
Looping d’arc initially caught the eye with a second-place finish in a newbury bumper in 2024,a race won by El Cairos,now a leading contender for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. This season, the same Newbury bumper was won by Bass hunter, whom trainer Chris Gordon has lauded as one of his best horses. Looping d’Arc finished second to Bass Hunter on his debut, and the subsequent form was boosted when Bass Hunter secured a prestigious Listed bumper at Ascot.
His transition to hurdles proved seamless, as he stormed clear on his debut to win convincingly. With only two career starts under his belt, Looping d’Arc’s potential appears limitless. He’ll face a strong challenge from Lady Magic, who is attempting to complete a hat-trick on her debut for the Tom Symonds team. This five-year-old mare arrived at Symonds’ stable from Adrien Fouassier in June and remains something of an unknown quantity.
Other notable contenders include Donegal, who narrowly missed out on victory on his hurdling debut at Doncaster and benefits from the expertise of champion jockey Sean Bowen. The Evan Williams-trained Guardami Ancora has been placed in her last two starts and could be in the mix again.
1.40 Lingfield – Comprador, A Brother to a Champion, Makes His Debut
The debut of Comprador at Lingfield is generating considerable excitement, given his pedigree as a full brother to the Group 1 Flying Childers winner, Trillium. Racing in the same Rockcliffe Stud silks as his illustrious sister, Ed Walker’s charge is expected to be a high-class performer. All eyes will be on Lingfield to assess how he measures up to the legacy of his sibling.
Tactical Blitz, ridden by Holly Doyle, is considered the primary threat to Comprador. While he has had one previous race, a moderate performance at wolverhampton, that experience could give him an edge over the newcomer. This race promises to be a captivating clash of potential and experience,offering a glimpse into the future stars of the turf.
