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Idle Flyer faces tough test in 2026 Winx Stakes

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Trainer Matthew Smith is eager to see how Idle Flyer measures up against some of the country’s best horses as she launches her spring campaign in the Winx Stakes at Randwick, with the Cox Plate identified as a potential goal.

After a commanding victory in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) during the autumn, Idle Flyer is set for her most challenging encounter yet, facing rivals including Autumn Glow, Aeliana, Sheza Alibi, and Ceolwulf on Saturday.

Smith acknowledges that an upset might be unlikely but hopes Idle Flyer can compete effectively and build a solid foundation for her season.

“She’s not going to beat those horses in a 1400 metre race, so it’s really a starting point for her,” Smith stated. “She’ll just get better and better into her preparation once she gets to a mile and beyond. But I’m really keen to see where she fits in. She’s had a trouble-free ‘prep’ leading into the run. Her fitness is good, and she handles a wet track, so she’ll run really well.”

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Idle Flyer, a five-year-old mare with a relatively light racing load, has accumulated eight wins from 15 starts and has shown continuous improvement over her preparations.

She successfully transitioned to black-type racing a year ago by winning the Group 3 Angst Stakes (1600m), and further enhanced her credentials in the autumn by winning the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) before capturing her first Group 1 success.

Smith believes her best performances are still in the future, and her planned third-up appearance in the 7 Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 19 will be a critical factor in determining the rest of her spring schedule.

“That will be a fork in the road for us. We’ll either go to the Cox Plate or back the other way,” Smith commented. “We don’t know where the ceiling is. That Queen Of The Turf win was really good. That’s the first time we’ve really stepped her out to a proper race, and she was great, so fingers crossed she can keep going.”

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Idle Flyer will represent one half of Smith’s stakes runners at Randwick, with Prima Bella also competing in the Toy Show Quality (1100m).

Prima Bella is aiming for a third consecutive win. While the Group 3 race on Saturday is a significant step up in competition, she is currently the third favourite in the early markets at $4.80, behind the leading chances Apocalyptic ($2.25 fav) and Savvy Hallie ($3.80).

“I thought, if she won the other day you’ve got to have a crack at a mares’ race,” Smith said. “It might be too tough for her, but she’s going well. She’s race fit. She’s ready, and she’ll roll forward. If she can run top four, I’ll be delighted.”

The Winx Stakes presents a fascinating contest for Idle Flyer, with punters keen to assess the racing odds.

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Angers vs LOSC Lille Prediction and Betting Tips

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22 August 2026

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Angers and LOSC Lille get underway in the 2026-27 French Ligue 1 campaign when they square off at the Stade Raymond Kopa on Sunday. Having won the four meetings between the teams since August 2024, Davide Ancelotti’s men will be aiming to extend their two-year streak against the hosts and secure a seventh straight league victory on the road.

It was another forgettable league display from Angers last season as they secured a 13th-placed finish in the Ligue 1 standings, just four points above the relegation playoff spot.

Stephane Gilli’s side lost 16 of their 34 league games, while picking up nine wins and nine draws to collect 36 points, equalling their total points tally from the 2024-25 season, when they finished 14th in the table.

Angers head into Sunday’s season curtain-raiser without a win in nine straight Ligue 1 matches (4D 5L), but they will draw inspiration from their solid display in pre-season, where they picked up two wins and two draws from their five friendly games.

Elsewhere, Lille enjoyed an impressive league campaign last season, when they clinched third place in the Ligue 1 standings to secure a return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2022.

Ancelotti’s side picked up 18 wins and seven draws from their 34 league matches to collect 61 points, just two points above fifth-placed Olympique Marseille in the Europa League qualifying places.

Like Angers, Lille head into Sunday’s season opener off the back of a solid pre-season campaign, where they picked up two wins and two draws from five matches.

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Angers vs LOSC Lille Head-To-Head and Key Numbers

  • With nine wins from the last 21 meetings between the sides, Lille boast a slight upper hand in the history of this fixture.
  • Angers have picked up two fewer wins in that time, while the spoils have been shared on five occasions.
  • Lille have won each of their last four games against Angers, scoring six goals and keeping four clean sheets since a 1-0 loss in April 2023.
  • Angers are without a win in six straight Ligue 1 home games, losing three and picking up three draws since a 1-0 victory over Toulouse back in February.

Angers vs LOSC Lille Prediction

While they will aim to continue their form from pre-season into the new league campaign, Angers will need to be at their best against a well-drilled Lille side who have won their last four encounters.

Ancelotti’s side are on a run of six consecutive away wins in the league, and we see them coming away with the desired result here.

Prediction: Angers 0-2 LOSC Lille

Angers vs LOSC Lille Betting Tips

Tip 1: Result – Lille to win

Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals – No (There have been fewer than three goals scored in the last eight meetings between the two teams)

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Tip 3: Over 4.5 cards – No (There have also been fewer than five bookings in four of the last five meetings between the two teams)