Ahead of a brand new Flat turf season, Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle looks ahead to a busy weekend of action in her exclusive blog.
Hoping Dagger can strike at Southwell
I’ll be keeping a keen eye on the action at Doncaster on Saturday afternoon when the 2026 British Flat Season gets underway, but duty calls for me on the All-Weather at Southwell.
I’m heading to the Tapeta track to partner my boss Archie Watson’s ultra-consistent Dagger Strike in the Bet £10 Get £40 With BetMGM Handicap (6.00).
He’s finished second on all three starts since winning at Newcastle in late December – form that was franked by the runner-up Popty Ping’s win at Southwell on Thursday. Our son of Starman is capable of going well but could have done without being raised 3lb for a head defeat over course and distance earlier this month.
Kamakay can make winning Handicap debut
I have high hopes for Eve Johnson Houghton’s filly Kamakay in the Daily Profit Boosts At betmgm.co.uk Handicap (5.30).
The daughter of Kameko returns to the Nottinghamshire venue for her handicap debut after running a promising race over the same seven furlongs in novice company last month. She wasn’t far behind the 76-rated course winner Shafi that day, giving him half a stone, so an opening mark of 60 looks workable.
Champagne celebration on the cards
Richard Hannon’s filly Aura Champagne was held in high enough regard to make her debut in a warm conditions race at Newbury back in September when she finished an encouraging third behind rivals who have gone on to be rated 89 and 87 respectively.
I expect her to be pretty straight for her comeback run in the Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog At betmgm.co.uk Maiden Stakes (6.30) though it looks like we have Roger Varian’s Aqpan to beat.
Longer trip could be ideal for Muse
Linking up with Newmarket trainer Marco Botti is always a pleasure so I’m hoping to ride him another winner in the Midnite A Next Generation Betting App Fillies’ Novice Stakes (7.00).
I ride his Golden Horn filly Golden Muse who built on her promising Chelmsford City debut with a novice win over 9.5f at Wolverhampton earlier this month. She made every yard of the running that day and looks as though she’ll enjoy the longer trip but will need to step up under a penalty in what looks a deeper race.
Track tailor-made for Kings College
Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole’s lovely gelding Kings College is a big, strapping horse who seems made to measure for the galloping test at Southwell.
I’ve ridden him a few times at home and expect him to leave his recent Wolverhampton run well behind in Division Two of the Make The Move To Midnite Handicap (8.00). That track was just too sharp for a big horse like him but I hope this more galloping test will allow him to show that’s he’s potentially well treated on a mark of 55.
Lasso should appreciate return to a mile
Ivan Furtado’s Teggy Lasso didn’t see out the stiff 10f at Newcastle last time when he was sent off favourite but has a chance to redeem himself over a shorter trip on Saturday.
Returning to a mile should help the son of Invincible Spirit who goes in cheekpieces for the first time in the BetMGM Supports Safer Gambling Handicap (8.30). He ran a nice race over the same course and distance earlier in the month and gets to return off a 2lb lower rating for a trainer who has been among the winners.
Zarathos stronger ahead of re-appearance
I’m off to Doncaster on Sunday when I’m looking forward to riding South African trainer Dylan Cunha’s reliable Zarathos in the William Hill Epic Boosts Handicap (3.30).
I galloped this lovely big, powerful gelding last week in readiness for his seasonal re-appearance and was happy with the feel he gave me. He was the bridesmaid on several occasions last summer but is much stronger for his winter break and open to improvement.
Later, Knights Gold steps up in trip in the William Hill NRMB On The Grand National Handicap (4.05) but he’s a keen sort who will need to relax to see out ten furlongs on this big track. He won five times for Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole last year and is certainly bred to appreciate this kind of distance.
I also ride Micky Fenton’s Physique in the feature race, the William Hill Each Way Extra Handicap (5.15) – a horse I was second on at York last summer when he was trained by Pam Sly.
I also went close on him in a Class 2 handicap at Newmarket in the spring so I’m fully aware of his capabilities if Micky has him fully wound up from a potentially good draw in stall 15.
La Botte has perfect profile for Lincoln glory
It could be a dream start to the new British Flat Season for young Newmarket trainer Harry Eustace who has big chances in the two feature races at Doncaster on Saturday.
His exciting four-year-old La Botte has the perfect profile for the William Hill Lincoln Handicap (3.32) after just missing out in the Britannia at Royal Ascot last summer on only his fourth career start.
He didn’t enjoy the clearest of runs that day behind Arabian Story but has the class to defy his mark of 104 after blowing away the cobwebs with a strong run in the Lincoln Trial Handicap at Wolverhampton.
Docklands to stamp his class on Doncaster Mile
Harry can expect his stable star Docklands to get his season off to a flyer in the William Hill Doncaster Mile Stakes (2.57). He’s by-passed a campaign in Dubai to start off in Listed company and should prove much too good for his four opponents.
Meanwhile, the William Hill Epic Boosts Spring Mile Handicap (2.25) should give us a few clues for the Lincoln later in the day and can go to George Boughey’s recent All-Weather winner Carron.
Placed in Meydan in January, he showed a strong constitution to travel up to Newcastle and win on his domestic return and will benefit from Jack Callan’s invaluable 5lb claim.
Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.
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