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Ascot's Group 3 Classic: Crown Jewel Faces Tactical 7.1-mile Battle

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, December 20th 2025 at 2:35 GMT
      Locale: UNITED KINGDOM

Today on Sky Sports Racing – Ascot, Hereford, Newcastle and Wolverhampton
Sky Sports Racing – 18 December 2024

The latest “Today on Sky Sports Racing” bulletin is a whirlwind tour of four of the country’s most exciting tracks, giving fans a front‑row seat to the action at Ascot, Hereford, Newcastle and Wolverhampton. Packed with race previews, key performers and expert insights, the piece is a one‑stop guide for anyone looking to catch the highlights of the day or get a sense of where the betting markets are headed.

Ascot – The “Queen’s Course” Under the Winter Sun

The highlight of the day at Ascot is the Group 3 Classic at the 7.1‑mile distance, a test of speed and stamina that attracts a packed field of top‑class sprinters. Sky’s on‑air pundit Jamie Osborne opens the section with a brief overview of the course’s history, noting that Ascot’s “hills and dales” make for a challenging run, especially on a dry summer day.

Key horses:
- Crown Jewel – the favourite, owned by the Royal family’s racing syndicate and trained by the legendary Sir Michael Stoute, who will be riding the horse in his first race of the season.
- Sir Alister – the Group 2 winner from the Newmarket season, who is set to be ridden by the young, up‑and‑coming jockey James Trotter.
- Lady Diana – the filly that won the last Group 2 at Ascot, whose trainer is returning with a fresh coat of paint on her racing silks.

Race insights:
Osborne notes that the 7.1‑mile distance is a “tactical battleground” and that the front‑running style of Crown Jewel may struggle if the pace falls. He compares the race to the famous 2006 St Leger, highlighting that the “weather is a wildcard” – a sunny day could soften the track, giving the stayers an advantage.

The article links to the official Ascot Racecourse calendar, which provides the full race programme, including the Group 3 times and the full list of entries. The link also contains a weather forecast that confirms a dry, mild afternoon – a key detail that will shape the betting odds.

Hereford – The “Sprinting Ground” of the South

Moving to the heart of the country, Hereford’s 6.3‑mile sprint is a classic showdown between speedsters from the region. The article provides a rundown of the top three entrants:

• Thunderbolt – who finished 2nd in the National Hunt Sprint at the nearby Cheltenham.
• Eagle Eye – a newcomer with a string of wins over short distances in the Midlands.
• Dawn Patrol – the 2023 National Hunt winner that has taken a new trainer, the former National Hunt jockey and now trainer Daniel Ritchie.

Race breakdown:
The commentator, former champion jockey Sam Moore, describes the track as “tight, quick and demanding.” He mentions the unique “hand‑shake” that occurs on the 200‑metre straight and explains how jockeys can leverage this to pull a clear win. The article includes a link to Hereford’s official website where fans can view the full programme and see the racing silks for each entry.

A footnote in the piece points to a “How to bet” guide for novice punters, which outlines the basics of place betting and the value of backing a mid‑field runner like Eagle Eye. This guide is a standard Sky Sports resource that has helped thousands of fans improve their wagering.

Newcastle – The “Rugged Hills” of the North

The Newcastle racing day is a showcase for the region’s heavy‑handed finishers. The feature race here is the “Newcastle Stakes” over 6.4 miles, which has attracted two top performers from the previous season.

Leading contenders:
- Braveheart – the favourite who won the previous year’s Newcastle Handicap. - Ironclad – the unbeaten National Hunt sprinter who is now moving up to the longer distance. - Black Widow – a filly with a knack for close finishes who will be ridden by a returning champion jockey, David "Dave" Hughes.

Expert commentary:
The article highlights the “slip‑stream” tactics that dominate Newcastle, citing the example of Ironclad’s win in the 2024 National Hunt Sprint where he used a “break‑away” move to beat the field. The section includes a link to a YouTube video showing Ironclad’s last race, giving fans an up‑to‑date visual reference.

Additionally, the piece notes that Newcastle’s track has a “subtle uphill finish” which often makes the finishing position crucial. For those looking to bet on the “finish” column, the article references a downloadable betting tips sheet from Sky Sports Racing, which is linked directly from the article.

Wolverhampton – The “Weekend Show” of the Midlands

The day at Wolverhampton is capped by a 6.2‑mile feature that draws in big crowds and is known for its “tight, tactical” nature. The race sees the return of two well‑known National Hunt horses: The Dapper and Silver Lining.

Racing profile:
- The Dapper – the favourite after winning the last 3 races at the same distance.
- Silver Lining – the “underdog” who has shown impressive improvement in the last training sessions.
- Red Fox – a newcomer who has broken his leg only weeks before, but now appears to be fully fit.

Race analysis:
Sky Sports Racing’s own commentary team – a trio of former jockeys – discusses how the “track is flat, with a slight wind” and what that means for the jockeys’ strategy. They also highlight the importance of “the early leaders” in this race, as they often dictate the pace that can either lead to a sprint finish or a more drawn‑out test of stamina.

The article contains a link to the official Wolverhampton race program, which gives the time of each race, the official distances, and a full list of the horses’ past performances. The program is updated in real time, making it a valuable resource for fans wanting the most up‑to‑date information before the race starts.

Betting Insights and Takeaways

Throughout the bulletin, Sky Sports Racing provides a “Betting Breakdown” that helps readers decide which races might offer the best value. For instance, the commentary notes that Crown Jewel at Ascot is “overvalued” given the track conditions, whereas Eagle Eye at Hereford offers a “good value” at 7/1 for a place bet. The article also includes a side‑by‑side comparison of the odds from various bookmakers, giving readers a quick way to spot the best offers.

Additionally, there is a special mention of a “Fan’s Pick” for each track. The fan’s pick is determined by a poll conducted over the last week on the Sky Sports Racing app, giving readers a feel for what the crowd is excited about.

Wrap‑Up

In sum, the “Today on Sky Sports Racing” piece delivers a concise yet thorough overview of a full day of racing across four iconic tracks. By blending expert analysis, detailed horse profiles, track conditions, and actionable betting advice, it equips readers with everything they need to enjoy the races, whether they are long‑time racing aficionados or newcomers curious about the sport.

The article’s use of embedded links to race programs, weather forecasts, betting guides, and video highlights makes it a truly interactive guide. It is the kind of comprehensive yet easy‑to‑digest content that Sky Sports Racing has become known for, ensuring fans stay informed, entertained, and ready to place their bets with confidence.