Mark Storey has highlighted several key contenders for the upcoming racing fixtures as the British flat and turf season continues. The focus centers primarily on the events at Ffos Las and Catterick racecourses, with notable performances expected from both established and emerging equine athletes.
At Ffos Las, The Feminine Urge is tipped as a strong candidate to win the Happy 70th Birthday Brian Glanville Handicap over six furlongs. The four-year-old mare has shown renewed form following her recent runs at Newbury and Lingfield, where she narrowly missed victory by a neck. Currently carrying 8 pounds less than her last winning weight from 14 months ago, she benefits from the services of jockey Seamus Cronin, who boasts a 26 percent strike rate on rides this season and will be able to take off an additional 5 pounds during the race.
Two other horses carrying hopes for the day at Ffos Las include Perfect Nation and Cypriot Diaspora. Perfect Nation, ridden by Billy Loughnane, aims to build on a commanding recent victory at Lingfield in the EBF Novice Stakes at 3:00 p.m. Meanwhile, Cypriot Diaspora will feature in the Ken Meredith Memorial Race Handicap at 3:30 p.m., where jockey Oisin Murphy will seek to capitalize on the horse’s favourable handicap mark. The five-year-old has displayed consistent form over 7½ furlongs at Ffos Las, with two wins and four consecutive top-three finishes at the distance.
Turning to Catterick, Slack Alice is considered well placed to make an impact in the Jacky Rylance 60th Birthday Celebration Handicap scheduled for 3:15 p.m. The horse has shown significant improvement since being equipped with a visor and has secured back-to-back wins over hurdles at Market Rasen and Stratford. Although this marks her first flat race under Mickey Bowen’s training, Slack Alice demonstrated potential last season on the flat, including a notable fourth-place finish over today’s course and distance.
Battenburg Belle is also expected to compete strongly in the Hannah Blanchard 21st Birthday Handicap at 3:45 p.m. The mare has an impressive record of finishing in the top three in six previous attempts at six furlongs on turf. She arrives only 1 pound above her last winning weight achieved at Catterick in June, a venue suited to her front-running style, and benefits from a favourable draw in stall three. Additionally, Battenburg Belle receives at least a 5-pound weight concession from all her opponents in the race.
In other racing news, jockey Ryan Moore will make his second appearance in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup at Ascot this Saturday, representing the Great Britain and Ireland team. Meanwhile, the Jockey Club has announced it will withdraw from membership in the Racecourse Association at the close of 2026, citing a strategic focus on long-term sustainability within the racing industry.