WHILE most are focused on the lead-up to Cheltenham, flat fans are treated to a pair of competitive stakes races at Southwell today. The nine-race card kicks off with the BetUK Hever Sprint Stakes, in which Irish raiders Ostraka and Valiant Force aim to prove themselves against the likes of Group 1 performer, Diligent Harry and recent Kachy Stakes winner, Marshman.

Ostraka will be making her first start since landing the Group 3 Mercury Stakes at Dundalk – her third win for Danny Murphy and Anthony Challoner since being bought for just €9,000 12 months ago.

“She’s in great form, I couldn’t be happier with her,” her trainer told The Irish Field. “I’m expecting a big run, to be honest.

“She beat Valiant Force over five furlongs before and I think she’ll like the Tapeta surface. Young James [Ryan] knows her inside out, so I wouldn’t be surprised if she runs a big race.”

How she fares against the British sprinters will inform Murphy’s future plans, he adds: “The owner is getting excited now. If she happened to win, we’d have to think about the Group 3 [Palace House Stakes] at Newmarket on Guineas weekend.”

A Valiant rival

As mentioned by Murphy, Ostraka beat Valiant Force by half a length when gaining her first stakes success, but Adrian Murray’s charge since impressed, making all to a four-and-three-quarter-length win at Dundalk.

It was Valiant Force’s second win since rejoining Murray from a stint in the US with trainer Jorge Delgado, with the Westmeath trainer having previously trained the Amo Racing-owned colt to land the 2023 Norfolk Stakes and finish second to Big Evs in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

On today’s prospects, Murray told The Irish Field: “We’d give him a good chance. He’s in great form and has come on a lot from his last run.”

Seven line up in the proceeding Group 3 BetUK Winter Derby Stakes, the market currently headed by three-time listed winner Royal Champion and progressive four-year-old Military Academy.

The sole Irish representative, Alanya, makes her first start for Natalia Lupini, having previously placed at listed level for Tom Gibney.