Sandown host an evening card, and although it struggles to meet the standard it sets with The Brigadier Gerard Stakes evening, with stars the calibre of Carlton House, Sir Prancelot, Opinion Poll under the bright lights, there is still a strong card in comparison to the equine class on offer this afternoon. Richard Hannon and Richard have two strong runners in the form of Dominate and Law Enforcement, and the stable are in good nick, having doubles at Newbury on Friday and Saturday, but they are both likely to be painfully short in the market and I’d rather be a layer than a backer.
I will gladly take on the favourite in the first race. Dominate is a well bred and well related colt, who ran well first time out at Windsor, but I would be sceptical backing him at odds on. Instead RED EXPLORER makes plenty appeal, especially on pedigree. A son of Henrythenavigator and from a dam who has produced a multiple winner, ran a solid second on debut, staying on well over five furlongs, and it is interesting that he is kept at the minimum distance. He was well supported in the market that day, going off the clear 11/4 favourite, he must be doing something right at home. The third that day has since come out at won at Beverley, and at the prices, it has to be Red Explorer.
Picture Dealer is another short priced favourite, primarily based on the absolute shocker Tom Queally gave him at Doncaster last time out on his handicap beau. Blood is thicker than water, and it helps when your son is the best jockey in the game, and Ryan is in the saddle this time round. Given the manner of how he stayed on at Town Moor, (how apt), I would be dropping him down in trip. He ran on strongly over six furlongs on good ground, and given he won his maiden over six furlongs on soft, the son of Royal Applause, will be fine on the ground, but will seemingly want further, anything up to a mile. I find it very perplexing, and a horse I tipped up last time out seeking the hatrick makes much more appeal in KHUBALA. The stable are very shrewd and are having a fruitful time of things at Ed Dunlop’s yard; enjoying a 14% strike rate, and a rare profitable season to £1 stake on the turf. He has only sent two horses to Sandown all season, so that again is another plus, and the manner of his last two victories have been rather impressive. Up 7lb for his last win, and 12lb for the two, may perhaps slow him down, but I have a lot of faith that the Acclamation colt is still going great guns and on the road to securing some black type.
Haatefina and Law Enforcement are the market principles in the 19:00 maiden stakes, and both have strong claims. Haatefina ran on strongly behind leading 1000 Guineas fancy Maureen who subsequently went close in the Cherry Hinton Stakes at Newmarket. Law Enforcement is a well bred and well respected colt for the Hannon and Hughes team who have a good record in this race, winning it last year with Mister Music. The Henry Candy stable aren’t exactly firing at the minute otherwise Beroni would be somewhat of interest. That leaves a rather lacklustre field and it could be worth taking a chance on DANCE WITH DRAGONS for the Paul Cole team. They are yet to have a two year old winner this season, but started off in dire form and are generally coming round. A couple of winners in the last week or so and they are generally operating on a 40% place strike rate, when you consider their runners are overpriced, they could be a nice stable to stay on the side of. The colt’s fourth first time out at Windsor was a respectable effort and he is entitled to come on for that run.
DEBATING SOCIETY runs for the Sir Michael Stoute stable, and after a particularly below par start to the season, they seem to have found some form, just in the nick of time before with the King George on Saturday. He has had only nine runners in the last week, but an amazing five winners, a staggering 55% strike rate. Debating Society has been running with credit, and just not seemingly getting the breaks. The Invincible Spirit colt ran a solid fourth at Windsor, only losing by three lengths. That was his first foray into handicapping, and out of five rivals, three have come out and won since. He followed that with a good second at Kempton, and now tried over a mile and a quarter on soft turf, would look to eek out even further improvement still.
CELLIST ran the most peculiar of races last time out on the all weather when shedding her maiden tag. It really has to be seen to be believed, check out the free video replays AtTheRaces have on their website. The gelded son of Halling was off the bit with about half a mile to go, and he was really struggling. But then when the penny dropped, the penny dropped and he absolutely flew. He is stepped up from a mile and a half to a mile and three quarters and although there are strong contenders from the Cumani, Cecil and Osbourne stables, I think he has a lot more to come from this stayer in the making.
5.55 Sandown – Red Explorer
6.30 Sandown – Khubala
7.00 Sandown – Dance with Dragons
8.05 Sandown – Debating Society (Nap)
8.35 Sandown – Cellist
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
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