Sky Sports Racing: Lazy Griff's Chester Comeback and More Racing Action

Saturday promises a full day of horse racing with events from Chester, Lingfield, and Newton Abbot, all broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing.

Chester Feature: Lazy Griff and By The Book Headline the Stakes

The highlight of the afternoon at Chester is the Listed Chester Stakes, featuring a strong field of eight horses, with notable contenders Lazy Griff and By The Book. Charlie Johnston's Lazy Griff has demonstrated good form this summer, with a recent victory at Sandown, though he carries a three-pound penalty for that win. After a seventh-place finish in the Goodwood Cup last month, he'll need to recapture his best form to win this race. Charlie Appleby's By The Book, ridden by Billy Loughnane, is a significant threat. This five-year-old showed promise with a second-place finish in this grade at Beverley in early July and remains relatively lightly raced for his age. Andrew Balding's Fantasy World is another interesting contender, returning to flat racing after competing over hurdles earlier in the year.

Newton Abbot: Handlethekettle Aims for Third Consecutive Win

At Newton Abbot, Handlethekettle will be striving for a hat-trick in the competitive Aubrey Loze Memorial Handicap Hurdle. Trained by Jamie Snowden, the horse has shown significant improvement since entering handicap company, having been highly regarded as a novice. He enters this race seeking his third consecutive win, with Isabelle Ryder claiming a valuable five-pound allowance. Supreme Yeats, who demonstrated great determination in securing his sixth career win at Bangor last time out, is expected to perform well over the increased distance. Kitty Foyle, trained by Daisy Hitchen, is a consistent performer over hurdles and should be race-fit following a recent flat outing.

Chester: Asuka's Unbeaten Turf Record on the Line

George Boughey's Asuka will look to maintain his perfect turf record in the Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap at Chester. The stable has been in excellent form recently, with Libertango winning the Lowther Stakes at York. Asuka, who was beaten at Wolverhampton in July, justified short odds at Lingfield before winning on his handicap debut at Thirsk. A three-pound rise may not prevent him from securing another victory. Whip Cracker, with a solid record in handicaps, showed his readiness with a runner-up finish over a longer distance at Chester in May and cannot be discounted. Collecting Coin won a course and distance event 28 days ago, while Yanifer and Two Tempting, winners of the last two editions of this race, are also strong contenders.

Other Notable Races

Randwick (7:30 am): The Group One Winx Stakes features a high-profile clash between Autumn Glow and Sheza Alibi.
Chester (3:15 pm): Nicely and Kentucky Rain are prominent runners for Amo, with Bated Benevolence also showing promise.
Newton Abbot (3:05 pm): Gore Point is aiming for a four-timer.
Newton Abbot (1:55 pm): King's Scholar, trained by Paddy Brennan, heads the field in a novices' hurdle.
Lingfield (5:10 pm): Epictetus is among the nine runners in a Class Four contest.
Deauville (1:31 pm): In a Listed race, Majnoun and Big Money Man appear to be above average.
Saratoga (11:07 pm): Sunlit Uplands, representing Stuart Williams and Johnny Velazquez, competes in a Grade Two race.
Saratoga (11:42 pm): The Grade One Alabama Stakes will take place.
De Mar (2:00 am): Joseph O'Brien's Sandringham Stakes winner is entered in a Grade One Oaks. Kensington Lane makes his debut for Philip D'Amato.
Del Mar (2:30 am): The Grade One Pacific Classic features Knightsbridge and Hit Show.
Chester (3:50 pm): Ivory Moon, a 700,000gns yearling, makes his debut for Boughey.