A compelling day of horse racing unfolds across three distinct venues, with competitive cards at Listowel in Ireland, the historic Rowley Mile at Newmarket, and Perth in Scotland. This analysis provides a comprehensive synopsis of the key contests and leading contenders at each meeting, drawing exclusively upon the provided race card data and expert verdicts to offer a professional overview of the day’s action.

1.0 Listowel Meeting Highlights

Racing at Listowel takes place on ground described as “Yielding,” setting the stage for a fascinating day of jumps action. The card is headlined by the prestigious Lartigue Hurdle, a highly competitive Listed Handicap that has attracted a deep field. This section will dissect the feature event and other notable contests from the Irish meeting.

The Listowel card presents a classic challenge for punters, pitting established bumper form against hurdling potential. The feature Lartigue Hurdle is a puzzle of exposed handicappers, where identifying the unluckiest loser from a prior key race—in this case, Messerschmitt at Galway—appears to be the most promising angle.

1.1 Feature Race Analysis: 3:25 Lartigue Hurdle (Listed Handicap)

This valuable handicap hurdle for four-year-olds promises to be a true test of speed and jumping prowess over two miles.

Detail	Value
Race Value	€60,000 (Winner: €35,400)
Distance	2m
Going	Yielding
Age Group	4yo
Minimum Weight	10-0

The Spotlight Verdict identifies MESSERSCHMITT as the day’s ‘nap’ selection, building a strong case for the gelding. He is considered unfortunate after a close third-place finish in a competitive Galway handicap, an effort that saw him finish 4.5 lengths clear of rival Last Kingdom. A subsequent excellent performance on the Flat further bolsters his credentials, and a 3lb rise in the weights appears entirely manageable.

Beyond the favorite, a host of challengers present legitimate threats. Last Kingdom seeks to reverse the Galway form, with first-time cheekpieces seen as a potential catalyst for improvement. The classy Fred Winter winner, Puturhandstogether, must overcome a poor run in the Galway Hurdle but cannot be dismissed under top weight. Meanwhile, the in-form Shaboozee and consistent Kool One add further depth, alongside handicap debutant Day Trader. The selection’s stablemate, Money Dancer, also warrants a close look based on a commanding last-time-out victory.

1.2 Other Races of Note

1.2.1 2:15 Buckley Agri New Holland Irish EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle

In this contest for promising mares, the Spotlight Verdict suggests CARRIGMOORNASPRUCE is “not easy to oppose” as she makes her debut over hurdles. Her credentials are built on formidable form in bumpers, highlighted by a victory in the Grade 3 Punchestown Mares’ bumper. Several rivals present compelling, if distinct, challenges. Aruntothequeen, a Listed bumper winner, is a significant player but must overcome a long absence from the track. Amen Kate defeated the selection on their respective debuts but has finished behind her on three subsequent occasions, while Woodland Adventure, a winner of three bumpers, needs to show marked improvement to feature in this company.

1.2.2 2:50 Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle

According to the expert verdict, “All eyes on” HEADS UP as he transitions to hurdling. His second-place finish in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival represents a level of form that is unmatched by his rivals in this field. While the verdict rightly notes he may have been flattered on that occasion, he remains the clear standout. For those looking at each-way value, The Man’s Room is highlighted as having “good each-way claims.”

From the staying tests over hurdles at Listowel, our focus now shifts to the premier Flat action on the hallowed turf of Newmarket’s Rowley Mile.

2.0 Newmarket (Rowley) Meeting Highlights

The historic Rowley Mile at Newmarket hosts an excellent card on ground officially rated as “Good.” The day’s racing features high-quality contests that serve as important late-season targets, including a Group 3 event for juveniles and a Listed prize for stayers.

Newmarket’s card is a data-driven affair where the HorseRaceBase ratings clash compellingly with expert opinion. In both the Group 3 and the Listed feature, the top-rated horse is not the Spotlight selection, creating clear value opportunities for those who trust the raw numbers over the narrative.

2.1 Feature Race Analysis: 3:35 Tattersalls Stakes (Group 3)

This Group 3 contest for two-year-old colts and geldings over seven furlongs is a key stepping stone for future classic contenders.

Detail	Value
Race Value	Winner: £34,026
Distance	7f
Going	Good
Age Group	2yo colts & geldings

DISTANT STORM stands out as a compelling selection, with his performance in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York signaling significant untapped potential. Despite pulling hard, he did well to finish third, suggesting considerable latent ability. This view is strongly supported by the data, where he holds a leading “Total” rating of 373 on the HorseRaceBase figures. The main danger is identified as Wechaad, a commanding winner of a nursery at Doncaster who enters this contest on a steep upward curve. His “Total” rating of 345 marks him as a serious contender. Two promising newcomers, Archer Royal and Northern Champion, are also highlighted in the verdict as horses with the potential to make a significant impact as they step up in class.

2.2 Supporting Feature: 4:10 Jockey Club Rose Bowl Stakes (Listed)

The day’s supporting feature is a two-mile Listed contest for stayers aged three and older, providing a stern test of stamina.

Detail	Value
Race Value	Winner: £28,355
Distance	2m
Going	Good
Age Group	3yo+

The Spotlight Verdict is clear that PALLADIUM is “the one to beat.” The German Derby winner demonstrated his class with an easy victory in a conditions event at Salisbury recently, and the verdict notes he is effective on good to firm ground, dispelling any notion that he is purely a mudlark. His quality is reflected in a high HorseRaceBase “Total” rating of 362.

While the verdict makes a powerful case for Palladium, the HorseRaceBase data presents a compelling counter-argument. East India Dock boasts the highest “Total” rating on the card at 373, a figure that suggests he possesses the raw ability to upset the favorite. This race presents a fascinating clash between proven class (Palladium) and data-driven potential (East India Dock). Meanwhile, Live Your Dream is noted as a key threat if he can retain his old ability after a significant layoff.

With Newmarket’s high-class action assessed, the focus shifts north to the competitive jumps racing at Perth.

3.0 Perth Meeting Highlights

The Perth meeting offers a quality card of National Hunt racing on ground described as “Good To Soft.” The day features several competitive handicap hurdles and chases, promising close finishes and intriguing betting contests.

The Perth card is defined by puzzles of class versus fitness. In the feature hurdle, a Grade 1 chaser with a towering data profile meets race-fit rivals, while a key novice chase pits two closely matched contenders in a rematch where jumping prowess will likely prove decisive. For the analyst, it’s a day to weigh raw ability against current wellbeing.

3.1 Feature Race Analysis: 4:18 Every Race Live On Racing TV Handicap Hurdle (Class 2)

Perth’s most valuable race of the day is this Class 2 handicap hurdle over a staying trip, attracting a field of talented and proven performers.

Detail	Value
Race Value	Winner: £11,882
Distance	3m½f
Going	Good To Soft
Age Group	4yo+

The Spotlight Verdict’s preference is for IDEM, who showed good form last season and returns on a workable handicap mark. The application of first-time blinkers is seen as a potential catalyst for improvement, and his HorseRaceBase “Total” rating of 300 suggests he is a solid contender.

The fascinating conundrum in this race is The Real Whacker. While the Spotlight Verdict rightly questions his readiness for this hurdles reappearance, his top “Total” rating of 350 is a stark reminder of his Grade 1 chasing class. He towers over this field on raw data, leaving bettors to weigh his inherent ability against his likely fitness. Other key threats highlighted include Imperial Data, who boasts a strong rating of 347, and Boston Rajj.

3.2 Competitive Contests: Ones to Watch

3.2.1 2:33 Centenary Silver Plate Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase

This novice handicap chase presents a compelling rematch. Both Lightkeeper and King Roly are tied for the highest “Total” rating on the card with 328, indicating how closely matched they are.

Despite the recent head-to-head result, the Spotlight Verdict makes a compelling case for KING ROLY to reverse the form. The analysis suggests that with cleaner jumping, he would have finished much closer last time, and posits that Lightkeeper may be “vulnerable if pressurised this time.” Other contenders such as Inox Allen and Chief Sunday are noted as needing to be “right on the ball after breaks” to feature.

This overview of the day’s key races highlights numerous opportunities for top-class sport and thrilling competition across all three venues.