We have a busy race on Friday with action from Bahrain, Sedgefield and Southwell, live on Sky Sports Racing…
4.35 Bahrain – Defending reigning champion leads 13 runners
The First Group Bahrain International Trophy looks good with last year’s hero kingly sample among 13 runners.
The Karl Burke-trained eight-year-old has an excellent CV that includes a pair of Group Two wins along with a top-level success in the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi earlier this year. He tries to double his numbers and follow up on last year’s success, but will have to be at his best as he faces a deep field.
Wimbledon Hawkeye has long been regarded as an ideal type for this prize and has improved with each start for new trainer George Scott. He beat a few of them when winning the Group Two Prize Dollar at the Arc weekend and looks ready to strike under Christophe Soumillon.
Oisín Murphy is sitting out for the first time Salaal who makes his debut for Ed Crisford. A progressive type, he has won in his last three starts for Roger Varian and has earned his place on the top board.
Second Dollar Price Zejdann is another to consider for the Francis-Henri Graffard team.
2.40 Southwell – Madam Speaker and Clondaw Park battle it out
A class Festive fixtures in the mare’s novice hurdles at Southwell Racecourse see lady The speaker AND Clondaw park do battle at Southwell.
Nicky Henderson saddles LADY The speaker who brings the bumpers in solid form finishing in the frame in all three starts and she will be expected to rise again over hurdles.
Klondaw Park cost £320,000 at the Tatts Cheltenham sale in March last year after winning her first point with plenty to spare. She contested Listed company on her rules debut before finishing third in a straight novice hurdle at Chepstow and that form put her in the mix.
Olly Murphy’s The crystals is the best after taking silver in her two bumper starts.
1.55 Sedgefield – Wee Alki leads a trio of recent winners
A trio of last time winners lock horns in this one Sedgefield Christmas Jumper Race Day 22nd December Jockeys’ Conditional Handicap Hurdle.
High weight Wee Alki scored a third win over hurdles when taking on Broken Ice at Perth, but he will need to improve on this career high.
Jeeteye recorded a fourth win of the year when he went on to score at this track last time out and may be able to take advantage of this lower handicap rating.
of Brian Ellison Dangerous dangerous is much less exposed and after recording a first career success at Hexham he should be feared despite a 6kg penalty.
The best of the rest
3.45 Bahrain – Bahrain Gulf Cup – The future of Dubai, Issuing AND Gaucher feature. ROOM waltz AND Big signature others to note.
2.05 Southwell – Mirage d’Alene appeals in the debut of the bumper.
Sedgefield – Sam England 38 percent there this season.
