This Saturday’s racing could be one for those looking to the future, as the Group 3 Solario Stakes, which last year produced Field Of Gold as its champion, takes place at Sandown. At that meeting and at Beverley, GG tipster Joe Napier has four best bets for you to follow.
2.05 Beverley – William Hill Beverley Bullet Sprint Stakes (Listed)
With Regional being far from a regular winner despite being the form pick in this Listed contest, it could well pay to find a value each-way angle elsewhere. The standout profile in that regard belongs to STAR OF LADY M, for whom it is taken on faith that she will be fit after a 309-day layoff.
Having had no break of 50 days off or more between April 2023 and October 2024, her time spent away from the racecourse might ultimately tell in this company, but it was noteworthy how much she improved at the end of last season. She won her final three starts on turf of 2024, including a York handicap by 4¼ lengths, and then a Listed contest at Ayr in which recent Group 3 winner Rage Of Bamby was second and Frost At Dawn, who has twice placed in Group 1s this year, was third.
That level of form may be second only to Regional in this line-up and it is positive that it is her most recent. That level of dramatic improvement gives faith that she can continue in a similar vein even after a lengthy interval from her previous race, while she was also forward enough to win on debut as a two-year-old in April 2022, showing she can go well fresh.
2.25 Sandown – BetMGM Atalanta Stakes (Group 3)
Being two from two on soft going could well give an edge to BRIGHT THUNDER in a surprisingly dense field for this fillies and mares’ Group 3. The unexposed Alobayyah won her only start so far on such a surface too, but the more proven quantity of the selection sways the verdict towards her.
Karl Burke’s charge was only sixth in this a year ago, but a combination of keen racing, good ground, and the fact that the winner was subsequent Group 1 winner Tamfana may easily explain that. Bright Thunder has also improved her form this year, making the frame in her last four starts, including a Listed victory at Deauville on her only go on soft.
The fourth and fifth went much closer at the same level next time out, while the third was not beaten too far in the Group 1 Prix Rothschild subsequently. That performance shows she is capable of high quality form on slower ground, which should level the playing field when it comes to overturning some form with a few of her rivals in this race.
3.00 Sandown – Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog At http://betmgm.co.uk Handicap
Having seemingly figured things out on his last two starts, both of which have come over course and distance, preference is for DANGERMAN despite a 9lb rise for his most recent success.
Progress had been slow from John & Thady Gosden’s Godolphin-owned three-year-old, with no wins from three starts in maiden and novice company before a heavy defeat at Newbury on his handicap debut. However, he subsequently got off the mark from a rating of 76 over track and trip despite being bustled about in running, with first-time blinkers perhaps helping him to settle and concentrate.
They did the trick again when making all to beat six rivals by four lengths and more last time out. The third and fourth have both run well enough since to suggest there is depth to that form and any ground doubts should be allayed by the fact he is by Cracksman, who was a soft ground lover himself, as well as producing plenty of offspring who have preferred cut underfoot.
3.35 Sandown – BetMGM Solario Stakes (Group 3)
The Gosdens and Charlie Appleby have been responsible for five of the last seven winners, none of whom have gone off at greater than 9/4, so their pair who dominate the market in Publish and Pacific Avenue are respected. Nevertheless, while this has not been the parish for value backers (no winner greater than 4/1 in the past decade), the worthwhile bet may be HE’S WALIIM to disrupt the natural order.
James Tate’s colt has only run once, but he could not have won much easier, pulling clear to win a 7½ Beverley maiden by six lengths. The second and third had both raced previously and promisingly, the former on multiple occasions, so he has to be fairly useful as long as he can progress naturally.
Soft ground provides a question mark based on his siblings’ achievements, but of Too Darn Hot’s four Group/Grade 1 winners, three have won their top level races on soft, while daughter Simmering has claimed a Group 2 on slow ground. That gives hope that He’s Waliim will cope just fine and he would be a challenger if he takes to it.
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