Alan King’s Edwardstone goes in search of yet more glory in this afternoon’s Sussex Champion Chase – live on Sky Sports Racing.
2.35 Plumpton – Veteran Edwardstone faces four rivals
The veteran Edwardstone heads a field of five assembled for the Betgoodwin Sussex Champion Handicap Chase over the two mile and one furlong trip.
Alan King’s stable star has had a glistening career, which has included the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase, the Arkle and the 2022 Tingle Creek. He was last seen finishing a creditable fourth in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase in February but will have to defy top weight if he is to land a twelfth career success on his first ever run at Plumpton.
The chief threat may come from Paul Nicholls’ Matterhorn, who recorded a fifth career win over fences two starts ago at Uttoxeter before being pulled up at Ascot’s Christmas meeting when last seen. The eight-year-old finished chased home Sans Bruit in this race last year and arrives here in better form this time around.
The in-form Secret Des Dieux comes here seeking a hat-trick for James Owen and Jonathan Burke but faces a 9lb following his recent upturn in form.
Course and distance winner Kotmask (for Gary and Josh Moore) and Neil Mulholland’s Scorsese make up the remainder of the quintet.
8.35 Sha Tin – Superstar Ka Ying Rising seeks 19th consecutive win in Sprint Cup
The world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising will look to land a 19th consecutive win in the feature Sprint Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday morning.
David Hayes’ superstar landed his eighteenth successive triumph 43 days ago when scoring for just the second time over seven furlongs. The five-year-old drops back to his usual six furlongs today and – having already amassed over £13 million in prize money – the sprinting sensation will be looking to add this Group 2 to his CV for the second time. Afterwards, he will likely look to bag another Chairman’s Sprint Prize at the end of this month.
Hugh Bowman won this contest in 2024 and his mount on Monday, Helios Express, has finished second to Ka Ying Rising the last twice. He will once again be looking to be the best of the rest in this sprinting contest.
Raging Blizzard and David Hayes’ other runner Tomodachi Kokoroe will be others looking to fill the places.
4.25 Plumpton – Invincible Nao bids to retain his crown
A field of eleven will contest this year’s renewal of the Betgoodwin Sussex National Handicap Chase over 3m4½f at Plumpton.
Last year’s winner Invincible Nao will bid to retain his crown for Gary and Josh Moore. He is off a 4lb higher mark this time around but the assistance of Freddie Mitchell – who claims 3lbs – will help his cause.
The training duo’s other runner Havaila is an intriguing contender, who was last seen comfortably winning at Newbury 16 days ago. He is the choice of Caoilin Quinn, who has won the last two renewals of this race.
Neil Mulholland’s Transmission will look to defy top weight and bring up a third success over fences here. The nine-year-old comfortably scored at Musselburgh at the start of February and the first-time visor that day is retained for today.
Previous course winner Tommie Beau is one to note in first time cheekpieces for Seamus Mullins while Planned Paradise will bid to complete the hat-trick for Christian Williams and Jack Tudor.
Chris Gordon’s Unanswered Prayers and the Paul Nicholls-trained Largy Poet are others to keep an eye on.
