The Week Ahead – What Racing To Focus On This Week
The Shergar Cup is back and we’ve also got Group 1 action to look forward to this week. We’ve got you covered with all the key races to look out for.
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See all the key meetings and races this week in our weekly guide ↓
Monday
Six meetings to kick off the week and the pick of the racing looks set to come from Ripon. The line up for their feature race (3:25) includes Dakota Gold for Michael Dods. He is the half-brother to back-to-back Stewards’ Cup winner Commanche Falls, so should prove popular in the betting.
Elsewhere, runaway Flat Jockey Championship leader William Buick heads to Windsor’s evening meeting for a trio of rides:
- Our Florentine (5:50)
- Navello (6:25)
- Fearless Bay (7:00)
Today’s other meetings are at Ayr, Carlisle, Cork and Naas.
Tuesday
The French have the pick of the action as Deauville hosts the Group 1 Prix Rothschild (2:33). Recent Jean Prat winner Tenebrism is set to line up, alongside runaway Duke Of Cambridge Stakes winner Saffron Beach, in what should be a cracker of a race!
Can Saffron beach beat Tenebrism and co in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville on Tuesday?
There’s a further three Group 3 races on their card and we’ll be on hand to talk you through the British Raiders travelling over for their card.
There’s also five meetings across the UK & Ireland, with the best of the action coming from Kempton’s all-weather card in the evening. They host the London Sprint Series Qualifier (7:50), which see’s the return of Clive Cox’s Prop Forward, who was last seen bolting up at Southwell back in January.
There’s also racing at Catterick, Chelmsford, Ffos Las and Roscommon.
Wednesday
Brighton hosts the first of it’s three-day festival, with the Mile Challenge Handicap (3:40) being the feature race on the card. Last year’s winner Zulu Girl could bid for back-to-back victories, but could face a tough challenge from the likes of The Covex Kid and Granary Queen.
Can Zulu Girl make it back-to-back victories in the Mile Challenge Handicap at Brighton?
There’s also plenty of racing from elsewhere, with afternoon action at Pontefract and Newcastle, plus evening cards at Kempton, Sligo and Yarmouth.
Thursday
A huge EIGHT meetings go to post on Thursday, including Group 3 action at Leopardstown. They host the Ballyroan Stakes (6:45), which includes entries for Chester Cup winner Cleveland and Group 2 winner Layfayette.
Elsewhere, the Racing League gets back underway for 2022 with Doncaster hosting the first round of races. With a slightly different format this year (teams are made up of seven locations this year), it’s sure to be another exciting competition. Last year’s top jockey was Jack Mitchell, who is riding for The East team this year.
Jack Mitchell was top jockey at last year’s Racing League, and represents team East this year.
There’s also the second day of Brighton’s festival, along with action at Ayr, Nottingham, Sandown, Sligo and Yarmouth.
Friday
The final day of Brighton’s festival features the “Brighton Bullet” Handicap (2:20). William Haggas won the race last year with Pagan and his sole entry this year is recent Thirsk winner Pink Crystal. Last year’s runners-up Endowed (2nd) and Sir Oliver (3rd) are also entered, as they big to go one better this time around.
There’s also a good-looking card at Thirsk, which features the .Current entries include Steventon Stakes runner-up Finest Sound and German 2000 Guineas fourth Mr McCann, who is co-owned by five Liverpool players.
There’s further afternoon action at Musselburgh, whilst the evening races comes from Haydock and Newmarket.
Saturday
The Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (4:15) takes centre stake on Saturday at the Curragh, with the likes of Coventry Stakes winner Bradsell, French Group 2 winner Blackbeard and AP O’Brien’s Group 3 winner Little Big Bear are all entered. It may simply pay to side with whoever AP O’Brien enters though, with the top Irish trainer winner 16 of the last 24 renewals – that’s an astonishing 66% strike-rate in the race in that time!
Ascot plays host to the Shergar Cup, which will feature jockeys from Britain, Ireland and International jockeys bidding for glory on the eight-race card. There are four teams that will be aiming to lift the trophy:
- Great Britain & Ireland
- Europe
- Rest of the World
- Ladies
The ladies stole the show last year – can they retain the trophy?
The Ladies team won the Shergar Cup in 2021 – who will win it this year?
There’s also Group 3 action at Newmarket with the Sweet Solera Stakes, plus Haydock hosting the Group 3 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes too. A big Saturday of racing awaits!
Sunday
The Skybet Sunday Series continues with racing at Haydock, plus there’s further flat action at Leicester and Windsor.
The sole jumps meeting comes from Ireland, as Downpatrick hosts a competitive seven-race card.
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