Join

Sky Bet Sunday Series preview: Hamilton takes centre stage

Last Updated: Wed 17 Jun 2026

By Mark Rowntree

The Sky Bet Sunday Series moves across Scotland to Hamilton Park on Sunday, May 17 for the third fixture of the 2026 series. The seven-race card features races over a range of distances - 5f to 1m5f – for horses in the 0-80, 0-85, and 0-90 ability range.

Bethell forming plans for progressive Codiak

The Class 3 stayers’ handicap - the Sky Bet Extra Places Handicap – is shaping up to be a fascinating contest. Among the 20 provisional entries are Valiancy (William Haggas), the ready Doncaster winner Ghaiyya (Charlie Johnston), the newly gelded Ride The Thunder (Roger Varian), the Musselburgh rivals Letsbefrank (Jim Goldie) and Fast Fred (Phil Makin), who already have a Sky Bet Sunday Series win each on the board in 2026, and the progressive four-year-old Codiak (Ed Bethell).

Codiak, who finished runner-up in a 1m3f novice on his last visit to Hamilton Park last August, has progressed quickly in handicap company since, winning on the All-Weather at Wolverhampton and Southwell (both 1m4f), before finding plenty in front in a 1m6f Class 4 handicap at Nottingham three weeks ago.

His trainer Ed Bethell explains: “At this stage (Tuesday), I’m not 100 percent sure he’ll run, but hopefully he’ll run. I was delighted with Nottingham. He’s a lovely big horse who is quietly quite progressive and hopefully he can keep progressing.”

Codiak, a 78,000euros yearling, the fifth foal from the French-Listed placed 1m4f winner Sagami has demonstrated his effectiveness on both turf and synthetics, raised 4lb to a career-high mark of 88 for his latest Nottingham success. That versatility should stand him in good stead for the future, and Bethell is already forming plans for the four-year-old, just this week giving him an entry in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle.

Ed Bethell: trainer of Codiak, a promising son of Make Believe.

“There’s a distinct possibility that he could go up to two miles further down the line. He might develop into a nice Northumberland Plate horse at some point. It’s all just a learning curve that we can quietly keep ticking off.”

Bethell, who took over the training license from his father James in 2021, already has Listed winners, a Royal Ascot winner, and a Group One winner – courtesy of Regional – on his CV, and is determined to build on the achievements of his father to build a successful yard of horses to compete with the very best in the sport.

A key part of the team at Thorngill Stables in Middleham is Callum Rodriguez. The popular Northerner enjoying high-profile success aboard Regional in the Listed Sky Bet Achilles Stakes, and the Group 1 Betfair Sprint Cup, in addition to Mickley in the 2024 Britannia Stakes. Rodriguez is booked for the ride aboard Codiak at Hamilton on Sunday, with Bethell stating;

“Callum (Rodriguez) is a big part of our team. I can’t complain there, so hopefully Codiak can run well. I haven’t fully clarified other running plans for Sunday yet, there’ll be some thinking to do later this week but Nightsinwhitesatin(5.45pm) and Kirkdale (6.15pm) are also possibles.

Black type the target for Azure Angel in Haydock’s Temple Stakes

The Group Two Temple Stakes at Haydock Park on Saturday, May 23 is the next target for Codiak’s stablemate Azure Angel.

Returning to turf, the six-year-old mare overcame a wide track position, finishing off strongly, to spring a 22-1 surprise in the Whitsbury Manor Stud/British EBF Lansdown Stakes at Bath in early April.

That was her seventh, and by far her most high-profile win, in a 22-race career which has seen her amass nearly £130,000 in win and place prize money.

Bethell explains; “I was pleased for Azure Angel. Bath was absolutely fantastic, so we’re looking forward to running her in the Temple Stakes. She’s probably going to be a little bit out of her depth on ratings - this being a Group 2 contest – but it’s just a case of trying to get some black type. Haydock has always been a good track for us, so long may it continue.”

Remaining Sky Bet Sunday Series fixtures for 2026:

May 31 – Thirsk

August 16 – Pontefract

Racing TV encourages responsible gambling - to find out more click here to head to our dedicated website page.

Five horses to watch at Cheltenham this week

Dave Nevison's Wednesday tips at Kempton: "he looks very well in"

Saturday ante-post tips: brace of 20-1 chances among five bets

Philip Hobbs and Johnson White 2026-27 Jumps season stable tour

Five changes made at Cheltenham ahead of the 2026-27 season

Todays top offer

Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets + Money Back as a Free Bet if 2nd to SP Fav with BOYLE Sports

T&Cs Apply

18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&C's apply. 18+. IRE/NI & UK online only. Max Free Bet £/€10. Win or win part of e/w outright singles. 5+ runners. 1st bet on each race. Free/void/antepost bets don't qualify. In event of a dead heat, offer won’t apply. Applies to First Past the Post result. Unnamed 2nd Favs don’t qualify. Acc & Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.

Claim Now

Featured offers

Get 50% back up to £50 with QuinnBet

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

New UK Customers Only. Bet £10+ on any sportsbook markets at odds of evens (2.00) or greater. Get 50% back of your first day’s losses as a Free Bet up to £50, valid for 7 days. 18+ GambleAware.

Bet £10 get £30 in Free Bets with talkSPORT BET

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

New Customers. Opt in, deposit and bet £10+ on any horse racing markets within 7 days of sign up. Get 3 x £10 Free Bets for set horse racing markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ GambleAware

Bet £20 and Get £40 in Free Bets with Unibet

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

18+. GambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £20 debit card or instant banking transfer deposit. Place a £20+ bet on Horse Racing at min odds 2/5 (1.4) each leg for 4x £10 Free Bets (can be used on Racing Bet Builder). Claim within 30 days. Valid for Horse Racing only. Geographical restrictions and Further T&C’s apply

Bet £10 get £40 in free bets with Kwiff

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

New UK customers. Place a £10 real money bet at min. 2.0 odds within 5 days of deposit. Get 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 Single, 2 Accas & 1 Bet Builder (min. 3 selections each). Excludes cashout, E/W, Multis, Ineligible Markets & Odds Boosts. Credited after bet settlement. 7-day expiry. T&Cs apply. 18+ GambleAware

Please bet responsibly

Races

Tips

Watch

Results