Hello & welcome to my blog ahead of a glorious couple of days at the wonderful Sandown Park. Genuine fast ground looks set fair for the Friday of the meeting.
One of my favourite old sprinters is remembered in the name of the first event on the card; The Jack Berry trained flying grey (later his son Alan) hardy old campaigner Palacegate Touch who ran a staggering 207 races for 11 years between 1992 - 2003 winning 33 times, finishing 2nd in 24 races & 3rd in 27 more in fact in total he finished inside the top 5 positions on 123 occasions.
He was ridden by 32 different jockeys; 36 times by Gary Carter, 27 times by Paul Bradley, 25 times by John Carroll, 19 times by David Allan & 16 times by Carl Lowther. He started off with a rating of 66 & by the time he was retired he ended on 54, in between that time he rose to his highest ever rating of 93 (which he ran off 5 times) with no success his closest finish from that mark was 5th in a Goodwood handicap in 1994.
Over the years he ran in all the top sprint handicaps without winning but did finish 4th in an Ayr Gold Cup in 1994 (a race he ran in 3 times).
His bread & butter were claimers & sellers of which he won a total of 23 with his best two career victories coming in The Fountains Handicap at Ripon in 1994 & then doubling up a year later on his first start since the same race the previous year.
He was ridden by 32 different jockeys; 36 times by Gary Carter, 27 times by Paul Bradley, 25 times by John Carroll, 19 times by David Allan & 16 times by Carl Lowther. He started off with a rating of 66 & by the time he was retired he ended on 54, in between that time he rose to his highest ever rating of 93 (which he ran off 5 times) with no success his closest finish from that mark was 5th in a Goodwood handicap in 1994.
Over the years he ran in all the top sprint handicaps without winning but did finish 4th in an Ayr Gold Cup in 1994 (a race he ran in 3 times).
His bread & butter were claimers & sellers of which he won a total of 23 with his best two career victories coming in The Fountains Handicap at Ripon in 1994 & then doubling up a year later on his first start since the same race the previous year.
A strong field of 16 go to post over the 5f shute course at Sandown the low draw will be a huge advantage with those drawn high in a field of this volume likely to struggle. For me that knocks out Goldream, Ajjaadd, Normal Equilibrium, Doctor Parkes (won this last year from a good draw & the same mark), Extrasolar, Storm Trooper, Fine'N Dandy & Apricot Sky. Old Judge'N Jury can make the running & if he breaks from stall 8 he has a chance of getting across although at the age of 10 will his old legs be able to carry him from what is a undoubted fantastic mark. New Fforest was backed as if defeat was out of the question last time at Musselburgh but was far too keen in the run, mark has been slightly reduced as a result so with Oisin Murphy's valuable claim she can get involved from a good draw. Taajub is bang out of form & has work to do, he was 5th last year from a higher mark. Milly's Gift ran well on her seasonal debut at Ascot in a useful handicap, she was found to be lame last time after a disappointing run at Chester from her last winning mark with Ryan Tate's 5lb claim a big plus she can get involved from a decent draw if she does not negate that by getting away slowly.
Lady Gibraltar has a fantastic draw in 2 for a speed machine, ground will be perfect & a certain Kieran Fallon is on board which over the years has always been a positive sign for the Jarvis stable, the one concern is that her visor has been left off (she has worn a visor on all 4 of her career wins).
Trader Jack is in 7 & has work to do in this kind of race.
Tagula Night goes well on the sprint course at Sandown, he is up slightly in grade & is now off a mark he has yet to win off should still be respected from a decent draw which he hasn't had on his last 2 course wins.
Trader Jack is in 7 & has work to do in this kind of race.
Tagula Night goes well on the sprint course at Sandown, he is up slightly in grade & is now off a mark he has yet to win off should still be respected from a decent draw which he hasn't had on his last 2 course wins.
Decent opening race in which I am hoping Lady Gibraltar 7/1 Ladbrokes can get here head back in front from fellow mare New Fforest.
The 5f course is in use again for the 2nd race on the card, a 2yo Listed event won last year by Ambiance. The last 4 runners of this race were unplaced in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, the Hannon stable have trained 2 winners in the last 10 years, this year are represented by Beacon who was a costly failure on his debut & by Dame Liberty who won her maiden over course & distance at rewarding odds.
Beacon got badly worked up on debut which was the main reason for him getting beaten, he received a typical Hughes waiting ride when just getting up at Salisbury next time & has added to that with an impressive success at Bath, he faces better animals here & must improve again.
Denzille Lane never got involved in The Windsor Castle last time out & will need to up his game from his Southwell maiden win.
Mukhmal ran far too fresh for me in The Norfolk last time out after a month break on from his Chester win, he should be sharper here & is a major player back in a less competitive grade.
Snap Shots ran an excellent race in The Norfolk finishing 4th (the position that the last 2 winners of this race had finished in), he is another entitled to respect in a hot little race. Union Rose ran a mighty race staying on strongly in a well contested Windsor Castle behind runaway American winner Hootenanny, it was a big step up on his previous form & he will do well to repeat that here in a smaller field.
Snap Shots ran an excellent race in The Norfolk finishing 4th (the position that the last 2 winners of this race had finished in), he is another entitled to respect in a hot little race. Union Rose ran a mighty race staying on strongly in a well contested Windsor Castle behind runaway American winner Hootenanny, it was a big step up on his previous form & he will do well to repeat that here in a smaller field.
Good race but not a betting one.
The 7f 2yo maiden should see Mistamel is much better light, he is thought to be Eve Johnson-Houghton's best 2yo. He made his debut a month ago at Windsor over 6f where he was green & outpaced before getting the hang of things late on in eye-catching style. The step up in trip should suit perfectly & this Derby entry can take this before stepping up in class. Tom Hark from the Richard Hannon stable was expensive at Arqana last year & ran a decent enough race on debut, he will no doubt be expected to go well under Hughes but lacks any decent entries. Mustadeem has had 2 starts improving each time, the distance of 7f should suit on his run style but he looks exposed after 2 runs for me & will have a handicap mark after this so nurseries await.
The newcomers are headed by Althon (Dansili X Mountain Chain) who is not bred to be anything special & has no fancy entries. Cahill (Lawman X Malaspina) was bought at the Breeze Ups for £50,000, he is a 3 parts brother to Group 1 winners Most Improved & Ectot, he looked green in his Breeze & I expect the same outcome on Friday, one to note though as he is well put together. Darshini (Sir Percy X Fairy Flight), made £50,000 at Tattersalls Oct Book 2 & is nothing to write home about on pedigree. New Brunswick (Shamardal X Nianga) first foal, dam a 3 time Listed winner in Germany for Peter Schiergen.
Will be backing Mistamel.
The 2nd Listed race on the card is a 1m2f affair for 3yo's & upwards, it has attracted a field of just 7 runners so no good for each way betting as per usual.
7 of the last 10 winners finished no worse than 3rd on their previous start in races varying from Group 1 level to Listed Handicap level.
4 winners in the last 10 years had run previously at Royal Ascot.
7 of the last 10 winners finished no worse than 3rd on their previous start in races varying from Group 1 level to Listed Handicap level.
4 winners in the last 10 years had run previously at Royal Ascot.
4 x 4yo have won in the last 10 years.
3 x 3yo have won in the last 10 years.
2 x 5yo have won in the last 10 years.
1 x 7yo won in the last 10 years.
Amralah steps up into Listed company after to be honest to just average runs in handicap company, he looked a horse on the improve last year but it just has not yet happened for him this year. Educate returns to these shores after a disappointing winter in Dubai, this trip will be fine for him & he is usually fairly easy to come to hand after a break.
Godolphin saddle 2 in a race they have won previously with Kirklees, Tha'ir returns to the UK after an excellent winter in Dubai where he looked an improved horse on his final start on Tapeta when an impressive winner,
everything looks in place for a decent run on his recent homework although on jockey bookings it looks as though he is expected to finish 2nd to stablemate Windhoek who has been in good from himself since returning to these shores finishing in the first 3 on his last 3 starts, ground will be perfect for him on Friday & he must go well.
Flemish School steps up in grade off the back of 2 very below par runs in handicap company of his new mark, work to do upped in grade here.
everything looks in place for a decent run on his recent homework although on jockey bookings it looks as though he is expected to finish 2nd to stablemate Windhoek who has been in good from himself since returning to these shores finishing in the first 3 on his last 3 starts, ground will be perfect for him on Friday & he must go well.
Flemish School steps up in grade off the back of 2 very below par runs in handicap company of his new mark, work to do upped in grade here.
Truth Or Dare represents the Classic generation but in truth lacks the quality on what we have seen so far to get involved.
Godolphin should dominate this event with Windhoek the most likely winner.
A very decent 1m2f handicap for a Friday afternoon is next up won last year but subsequent Cambridgeshire runner-up Code Of Honor.
Cactus Valley heads the weights sporting first time blinkers, he looked on his way back last time & should be more than capable of getting involved from this mark.
Vital Evidence also bounced back to form last time out over this course & distance, but for me it was concerning he couldn't get in front of Chain Of Events (who admittedly is some serious form & is a course specialist) who he was giving 8lbs too but you can hardly say weight really cost him as he lost by 1/2 length, has work to do from a slightly raised mark. Tobacco Road also ran in that race & with his excellent young riders claim could only finish 4th, he again has work to do from a slightly higher mark.
Cactus Valley heads the weights sporting first time blinkers, he looked on his way back last time & should be more than capable of getting involved from this mark.
Vital Evidence also bounced back to form last time out over this course & distance, but for me it was concerning he couldn't get in front of Chain Of Events (who admittedly is some serious form & is a course specialist) who he was giving 8lbs too but you can hardly say weight really cost him as he lost by 1/2 length, has work to do from a slightly raised mark. Tobacco Road also ran in that race & with his excellent young riders claim could only finish 4th, he again has work to do from a slightly higher mark.
Presburg is a decent little horse at a lower level, every time he has stepped up to Class 3 company he has been beaten. Chain Of Events loves Sandown with 4 wins from 8 starts at the Esher track, he is better than ever this season with 3 wins on the bounce including over the majority of these last time however he returns to today off a career high mark.
Jodies Jem steps up in trip which is far from certain to suit on breeding although his run style gives you some hope, the ground was wrong here last time but he still ran an eyectahing race, if he stays he's a player.
Stormadal looks harshly treated taking on his elders for the first time on what he has shown in 3yo only handicaps so far this season.
Snow King has yet to gone on from his debut defeat of Telescope as a 2yo, he is now with Ted Powell, watching brief advised.
First Post has been behind a few of these so far this season & is passed over.
Rydan is steadily improving as he showed when actually quite an impressive winner for the grade last time, handicapper has not overreacted & has chances taking on older horses for the first time.
Karraar's handicap mark is not wonderful on what he's shown in a group of maidens & he probably could have done without running in another one over course & distance last time as his mark shot up from a much more favourable opening gambit of 77.
Air Pilot
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