Sky Bet Sunday Series preview: Hamilton takes centre stage

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.

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.

“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.

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.”