Sandown’s evening meeting on Thursday is the richest and biggest of its kind throughout the season. With Listed and Group race action involved, Joe Napier picks out his best bets.
6.37 Sandown – Orbital Veterinary Services National Stakes (Listed Race)
I don’t usually like to tip short-priced favourites, but HAWAIIAN might just be a very good thing in the Listed National Stakes. He was notably well-backed on debut at Newbury and the form is working out exceptionally, with the runner-up bolting up since, the third finishing second from a desperately wide draw at Chester, and the fourth and fifth finishing in the top two in their subsequent starts.
Even the seventh, Reposado, jumped forward to be second on his next appearance and boldly reopposes here. There is significant depth to everything the selection achieved and he even looked to win with a bit in hand. Enchanting Empress and Rock Hunter were first and second in a usually informative conditions stakes at Ascot recently, but conversely to Hawaiian, that form has taken a knock.
7.07 Sandown – Chasemore Farm Henry II Stakes (Group 3)
The stayers’ division in Britain looks a little light on stars. Caius Chorister could be progressive after her fast-finishing second to Coltrane on her return in the Sagaro Stakes in which Sweet William again flattered to deceive with his stamina. Neither set a sensational standard though, and Trueshan has to concede 7lb and more all round while looking past his best anyway.
One who could step forward fairly significantly is CHESSPIECE, who is stoutly enough bred to relish the step up to 2m after showing some borderline top class form at three. He was runner-up to the likes of Desert Hero and Middle Earth over 1m4f-1m6f and won at Listed level himself at Hamilton last July.
It is reasonable to believe he may have needed his reappearance at Newbury and he even gets an extra 1lb allowance for being a four-year-old. A lot adds up to him going well.
Andrew Mount’s Horse Racing Tips – Thursday, 23rd May
Sandown’s evening meeting is the richest of its kind on Thursday. At the Surrey venue and others, Andrew Mount has two best bets. Back his selections with BetMGM’s HUGE new customer offer of £40 in Free Bets when you deposit and bet £10! Posted: 3.11pm, Wednesday, May 22nd 6.07 Sandown – GET THE MUSIC ON…
Wed 22 May 20247.37 Sandown – Chasemore Farm Brigadier Gerard Stakes (Group 3)
Royal Rhyme improved to be close to Group 1 level last season with easy victories at Newmarket and Goodwood before Listed honours were earned at Ayr. However, on his favoured soft ground, he perhaps showed his limits when fifth in the Champion Stakes at Ascot.
That is clearly the best form in the race still, but even in this weak renewal of the Brigadier Gerard Stakes, he is far from unbeatable at odds-on. Against him, ISLE OF JURA could prove very dangerous. He improved over the winter with runs in Bahrain, winning twice at Listed level having been stepped up to middle distances after seemingly finding his own limitations over 1m in this country.
Now that we know he is better between 1m2f-1m4f, he could well serve it up to the favourite, with good-to-soft ground on the edge of posing problems for Karl Burke’s charge. There is only 1lb between them on official ratings which is not reflected in their prices.
8.12 Sandown – Chasemore Farm Stud Staff Heron Stakes (Listed Race)
This is a great race to complete the Pattern contests on Thursday evening. All seven have realistic claims, though the top of the market is a battle between form and breeding, as ICE MAX currently holds sway narrowly over Kikkuli.
It is Ice Max who gets the verdict, as his two wins this term have been devastating, both over 1m, and he even put his previous distaste for soft ground behind him with his seasonal debut success at Bath. He then moved to a sounder surface at Musselburgh and put a mark of 97 to shame, winning by 5½ lengths. Those directly in behind have not done the form any favours, but the fifth won next time out under the most similar conditions to the Musselburgh race.
The impression was that he was a Group horse in a handicap, and het gets the vote even though Frankel’s half-brother Kikkuli has any amount of improvement in him after a Newmarket maiden victory.
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