THE 2026 Millbrook Champion Hurdle is the centrepiece of Friday’s evening meeting at Les Landes, sponsored by Mr. P.G. Somers.
Formally, it is still the Channel Islands championship, but one has to go back to 2010 for the last Guernsey winner.
That was King Of The Beach, trained by Tom Bougourd and ridden by Rob Kirk.
Earlier still it was a happy hunting ground for our northern neighbour with Michael Ephgrave taking the prize five times in the ten years from 1999, all of them ridden by his son Howard.
It went to the UK four times in six years from 2019 with all the winners provided by owner Mike Burbidge and trained by Neil Mulholland.
This time the trophy and the honour will remain in Jersey with all five runners locally trained.
Alyson Malzard, relies on last year’s winner Bigup, the higher rated Cueros and Diplomatie from her yard both missing the race.
The mare has a tough task on paper despite receiving the 5lb mare’s allowance as she is rated 15lb inferior to likely favourite George Bancroft, trained by Karl Kukk.
Expelliarmus makes her local hurdles debut for Celine De La Haye; she was bred by Mrs. J.P. McManus and ran previously in her husband’s famous green and gold hoops, but failed to win for him.
She had a first go around Les Landes on the flat, but has plenty to find on the figures.
The other pair are James Moon’s French imports. Danseuse Du Sud has shown little so far, but Joyful Voice has run well enough on the flat here and could go well.
George Bancroft, who beat Cueros last time, should win again.
The second race is a reminder that The Summer Ball Is On 4tt July with the sprint handicap so named by the Race Club.
Al Farabi and Bank On Kent share top weight and could have the race between them.
Al Farabi won the Brighter Futures Sprint over Friday’s 5 furlongs by 2.5 lengths from Bank On Kent, the latter having won his two previous starts and is now 6lb better off with his rival.
St Ouen, Al Farabi’s stablemate, looked like winning the Tote Jackpot Sprint over a furlong further until another of Karl Kukk’s, Adrenaline Rush, produced the surprise of the first June meeting.
That was by far his best form and whether it was a one off or sustainable improvement will be interesting to see later in the evening.
Timetodock has been disappointing this year, but is the type to pop up when least expected.
Spring completes the field; her connections have been trying to settle her over longer trips, but she was a winner over Brighton’s sharp 6 Furlongs in 2024 and returns to sprinting here.
Al Farabi with Philip Prince up again may prevail.
The Union Bancaire Privee Handicap over 7 furlongs brings Never Said Nothing and Countess Ciara together.
The former missed the last meeting when the Countess scored for a second time this season.
On the first occasion she got the decision over Never said Nothing receiving 13lb whereas on Friday he will be 7lb better off with that rival.
Birkie Boy was beaten a whisker by She’s A Mirage at the first meeting, but has not reproduced the form since.
Apart from the aforementioned Adrenaline Rush Karl Kukk runs New Charter who was behind that horse last time, but was running on well and the extra furlong should help.
Bint Havana Gold looked all at sea on her first attempt at Les Landes behind both on that occasion, but may improve for the experience.
It might be worth taking a chance with New Charter with Georgia Dobie coming over to take the ride.
The Quilter Cheviot International Summer Trophy is a nine furlongs handicap in which 2026 Jersey Guineas winner Mc’Ted tops the weights, 5lb ahead of Grecian Jewel.
The latter was a good second to Countess Ciara last time whereas Mc’Ted was disappointing in the Warwick Vase before swerving the last meeting.
Resilient Power, On Song and Flagon Dry were all behind Grecian Jewel and could come out on top again, but Grecian Jewel gets the vote.
The Race Club puts up the prize for the privilege of providing another reminder that it’s The Last Chance To Get Summer Ball Tickets, the mile and a half handicap which closes the programme.
It’s a rematch between Maquignon and Roi Du Monde who met at level weights last time, Maquignon getting the better of the argument.
With Roi Du Monde enjoying a 3lb pull for a length beating, the pair should dead-heat.
It’s not a two-horse affair though and Between The Covers deserves to win a race.
Petite Fiammetta won a low-level handicap last time but this is harder while the hit and miss Caustic and the consistent Casaruan join Between The Covers from Karl Kukk’s yard. Roi Du Monde just gets the nod.
The Millbrook Champion Hurdle is at 6.30 and racegoers are reminded that the midsummer evening fixtures are very popular, usually drawing bumper crowds.
So, you are advised to set out early to avoid the traffic and the inevitable pop-up road works.
