It is a busy Saturday of motion on Sky Sports activities Racing! The characteristic Eider Chase at Newcastle will see Anglers Crag, O’Connell and Collectors Merchandise possible battle it out for a £41,000 prize pot earlier than Royal Champion meets Army Academy within the Winter Derby at Southwell.
2.10 Newcastle – O’Connell and Anglers Crag contest marathon Eider
Final yr’s winner Anglers Crag bids for a repeat victory within the Virgin Wager Eider Handicap Chase at Newcastle. Brian Ellison’s 10-year-old powered house to collar Prince Des Fichaux in final yr’s renewal and, having warmed up for this with a strong fourth at Musselburgh, he have to be feared off this 4lb greater mark.
O’Connell seeks a four-timer having taken his type to a brand new degree over fences this season. A slender winner at Carlisle in December, he has progressed with every begin and, given the way in which he completed at Sandown, this further distance of 4m 1f ought to go well with.
Collectors Merchandise has been the topic truthful market help after seeing off Katate Dori at Wincanton lately, defying odds of 14/1. Jonjo O’Neill’s cost makes an enormous step up in journey right here, though Jack Hogan does take 3lb off him.
The Alan King-trained Egbert deserves respect after profitable at Haydock in December, whereas Lingfield one-two Sporting Ace and Passing Effectively should be thought of in a cracking betting warmth.
3.15 Southwell – Royal Champion and Army Academy conflict
Royal Champion, now with Karl Burke after a brief stint in Australia, has loved a splendid profession, together with when profitable at Royal Ascot in 2023. The seven-year-old impressed when seeing off subsequent winner Tyrrhenian Sea within the Quebec Stakes and might be well-liked to comply with up within the Group Three BetUK Winter Derby Stakes underneath Clifford Lee.
John and Thady Gosden ship out Army Academy who has solely been overwhelmed as soon as in his 4 begins thus far and has undergone a gelding operation since claiming the Listed Floodlit Stakes at Kempton in November. That was a formidable show, and he seems a powerful contender as cheekpieces are added on this step up at school.
Champagne Prince made it 5 wins from six all-weather begins when touchdown the trial at Southwell, whereas Persica has claims having scored in Listed firm at Ayr in July.
2.40 Southwell – Marshman and Diligent Harry search Listed prize
Burke’s Marshman has relished the change to the all-weather floor, profitable each begins this yr, and headlines a discipline of 12 for the Listed Hever Stakes.
Wind surgical procedure and a gelding operation appear to have helped him return to the type of his youthful days and he can go shut if dealing with the drop to 5 furlongs.
Diligent Harry was unable to retain his Kachy Stakes crown at Lingfield on his final begin, however he might be anticipated to strip fitter right here and warrants respect underneath William Buick.
Of the others, Clarendon Home is a course-and-distance winner and charges an each-way participant, whereas latest Dundalk winner Valiant Power ought to give account of himself.
Better of the remaining
Southwell additionally performs host to the Additional Winnings With BetUK Acca Membership Handicap at 3.50pm, which sees Glen Buck go to publish for the Roger Varian yard. Stepping barely up in journey after success right here final month, this six-year-old might be well-fancied with Jack Mitchell retaining the experience. Varian has one other good likelihood in a while the cardboard in Midnight’s Dream, who runs within the Increase Your Acca At BetMGM Handicap at 6.30pm.
At 5.30pm, Alrazeen goes for the four-timer within the BetUK. It is The place The UK Bets Handicap. Hayley Turner’s mount has seen his mark hiked to 89 after success at Kempton the final day, however enters calculations once more.
Hold an eye fixed out for My Kinda Ghaiy, who makes his bow for Hugo Palmer within the Finest Odds Assured At BetMGM Maiden Stakes. The three-year-old, who’s a half-brother to Lancashire Oaks winner Limitless Time, is partnered with Jason Hart.
Up at Newcastle, Jetoile and Prairie Wolf look set to contest the Virgin Wager Each Saturday Money Again Handicap Chase at 3.20pm earlier than fellow last-time-out winners Coup De Coeur and Caldwell conflict within the Livescore Wager Novices’ Handicap Chase (4.30pm).
Internationally, Caulfield performs host to a few Group One contests, together with the Diamond Stakes at 5.50am.
Do not miss a second from Chepstow, Newcastle and Southwell, with each race stay on Sky Sports activities Racing on Saturday February 22.
