Today’s racing
Over at Navan today, the Grade 3 Flyingbolt Novice Chase (2m) is the main event with four of the seven runners bidding to add to their last-time out victories.
The quartet are the Paul Gilligan-trained Glamorgan Duke, Jessica Harrington’s Sizing Pottsie, Yaha Fizz, trained by Eamon Delany, and Cut The Mustard, trained by Willie Mullins for Sullivan Bloodstock.
Yaha Fizz comes into this race off the back a 15-length victory over Early Doors at Punchestown last month, while Cut The Mustard secured valuable black type when running out a seven-length winner of the Listed Opera Hat Chase at Naas.
With Sizing Pottsie, also a 15-length scorer when last seen on a racetrack, and Glamorgan Duke, a narrow victor over Trainwreck at Leopardstown, this looks an exciting battle for the Grade 3 prize.
There are jumps cards from Exeter and Newcastle today while there is all-weather racing from Southwell.
New bonus for Goffs UK Spring Store Sale graduates
Goffs UK and Doncaster racecourse have partnered together to offer a new £50,000 bonus scheme, comprised of five bumper races across the year, for any Spring Store Sale winner.
The new initiative will see five bumper races staged at Doncaster during the jumps season, each offering a £10,000 bonus to the winner split between the owner and the trainer.
Tim Kent, Goffs UK Managing Director, said: “We have been looking at ways in which we can further invest in our Spring Store Sale and this new bumper series, in association with Doncaster Racecourse, will undoubtedly be a big draw card for buyers leading into our Spring Store Sale.
“This new bonus series gives owners and trainers multiple chances to compete for more prize-money and there is no limit to how many bonuses graduates can win, meaning horses can be campaigned throughout the whole series and then target our already established £50,000 bumper at Newbury in March.
“We would like to extend our thanks to Doncaster racecourse for their partnership in this exciting new initiative and we look forward to offering the first eligible horses at our Spring Store Sale on May 19.”
Roderick Duncan, Clerk of the Course at Doncaster, added: “We have long enjoyed a close association with the team at Goffs UK and have been delighted to work with them to introduce this new bonus scheme for bumper races at Doncaster.
“We hope that this bonus scheme will be well received in both the bloodstock and racing worlds, and encourage to look to the upcoming Goffs UK Spring Store Sale and subsequently a Doncaster bumper from next year.”
Craven Sale catalogue released
Tattersalls revealed on Monday that a total of 145 two-year-olds have been catalogued for the company’s Craven Breeze-Up Sale, which will take place between April 13-15.
Among the lots on offer are a Shalaa colt out of Grade 1 Beverly D Stakes winner Royal Highness, a Dubawi filly out of Group 2 Park Hill Stakes winner Meeznah, and a Kingman half-brother to the five-time Group 1 hero Al Kazeem.
All lots are eligible for the £15,000 Craven Breeze-Up Bonus, which returns after a successful first year that rewarded the owners of ten horses sourced from last year’s auction with an additional £150,000 in prize-money.
Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said: “Outstanding racecourse results maintain the Craven Breeze-Up Sale’s global appeal and are testament to the support of the top British and Irish breeze-up consignors.
“Group 1 British Champions Sprint winner Donjuan Triumphant crowned another year of success for sale graduates who have flown the flag for the Craven-Breeze-Up Sale in Group races across Britain, Ireland, France, the USA, the Gulf Region and Australia.
“The Craven Breeze-Up Bonus was incredibly well received in its first year and reinforces the sale’s market-leading status, providing another compelling reason to buy at the Craven Breeze-Up Sale.
“This year’s catalogue of 145 lots has quality and diversity in abundance and as ever the sale looks certain to attract a strong contingent of domestic and international buyers.”
Chelmsford to stage additional fixture
Due to the weather forecast for this week which could impact existing turf fixtures, Chelmsford will stage an additional all-weather fixture on Friday, March 6.
It will be a six-race card with the ability to divide to seven races if required and entries will close today at 12pm. Declarations will be at the 48-hour stage as normal.
