Today on Sky Sports Racing: British raiders on show at Deauville

Sunday’s card at Deauville delivers a rare chance to see British-trained talent face top-class European opposition on a stage where Group-level honours are still up for grabs. With Sky Sports Racing beaming the action live from 2:50pm UK time, the Grand Prix de Deauville (1m4f, Group 2) and the Prix de Meautry (1m, Group 3) headline a programme packed with horses whose form suggests they can mix it at the sharp end.

Al Aasy bids for Group 2 glory as Deauville’s veteran takes aim

William Haggas’ nine-year-old Al Aasy carries the weight of 12 career wins into the Grand Prix de Deauville, a race he last contested in 2024 over 1m6f. His most recent form reads encouragingly: a victory at Beverley over 1m2f in July followed by a close third at Goodwood over 1m4f, performances that confirm he still relishes the trip and the step up in class. He will need to be at his best to see off Arrow Eagle, Jean-Claude Rouget’s Group 1-winning veteran whose final Group 1 success came in last year’s Royal-Oak over 1m6f on this track. Arrow Eagle’s latest run was less convincing—he weakened in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier over 1m4f at Chantilly—so the Deauville surface, traditionally quicker than Chantilly’s, may suit him better than the softer ground he has faced recently. Yann Barberot’s Mazzala, unbeaten in four starts and fresh from back-to-back successes in Listed and Group 3 company at Deauville, is the form horse and a genuine threat to both.

Into The Sky and Mitbaahy lock horns in a Group 3 showdown

The Prix de Meautry (1m, Group 3) shapes up as a duel between two British runners who have already shown they can mix it at the highest domestic level. Jim Boyle’s Into The Sky, fourth behind Bow Echo in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket over 1m in May, returns after a disappointing Royal Ascot run over seven furlongs at Ascot. A drop in trip and class should suit him under Pierre-Charles Boudot, who has guided the horse to Group-level placings before. Mitbaahy, meanwhile, has been steadily progressive: a strong second at Newbury over 7f behind Symbol Of Honour in July preceded a neck third in the Stewards’ Cup over 6f at Goodwood in August, performances that confirm his ability at this sort of level. The pair meet in a race where the pace may suit Mitbaahy’s stamina profile, but Into The Sky’s class over a mile could still prevail.

Yarmouth’s handicap heats up with Hypnotised and Adrestia in contention

Across the Channel at Yarmouth, the Bodhi Solutions – Exceeding Expectations In Construction Handicap (1m2f) offers a competitive nine-runner field. Harry Charlton’s Hypnotised has been steadily improving and was only narrowly denied when second at Newbury over 1m last time out. A 3lb rise looks fair on paper, and the extra weight may not blunt his progress on a course that has favoured his style before. Adrestia, another consistent performer trained by John Quinn, will also start with a chance if the handicapper has treated her fairly after her latest run.

The Deauville card is a reminder that Group races remain genuine tests of class rather than consolation prizes. Al Aasy’s longevity and experience could see him add another Group 2 to his tally, while Into The Sky and Mitbaahy’s clash in the Prix de Meautry offers a chance to see which British runner can translate domestic form into European success. With Sky Sports Racing delivering the action from 2:50pm UK time, Sunday’s programme is worth watching for anyone who values racing where every stride counts.