Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on today’s Classic Trial fixture at Sandown.
ITV Racing viewers are in for a treat on Saturday. Instead of four races the broadcaster will now cover the last six races on the card which will decide the UK Trainer’s Championship.
The curtain might come down on the jumps season tomorrow at Sandown, but today the focus is on the flat.
Friday marks Sandown's Classic Trial fixture, a key early meeting in the flat calendar. It’s a card that often highlights horses that go onto better things later in the season.
The card features the Group 2 bet365 Mile (3:00), the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes (2:25), and the Group 3 bet365 Classic Trial (3:35), which often offers early clues for the Derby.
As is typical, field sizes for Sandown's feature races are modest; this year, only five runners are declared for the Classic Trial.
Regarding track conditions, Sandown's Clerk of the Course, Andrew Cooper, has been watering since April 8 due to a dry spell, applying about an inch of water to maintain the ground. As of Monday, the round course was described as good, good to soft in places, while the sprint course was good.
ITV are covering four races from Sandown plus two from Perth including the QuinnBet Highland National Handicap Chase (2:05).
Sandown – Friday Preview
The curtain falls on the jumps season Saturday, but Friday belongs to the Flat. Sandown stages its Classic Trial meeting—a fixture that often shapes the early part of the season.
The highlights include the Group 2 bet365 Mile (3:00), Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes (2:25), and the Group 3 bet365 Classic Trial (3:35). The latter may throw up some early Derby clues.
Field sizes are typically small for these Sandown features, and this year’s Classic Trial is no exception with just five runners.
Let’s look at the four main races.
1:50 – bet365 Esher Cup (Class 2) – 1m
Once a key early-season handicap, the Esher Cup has lost some prestige over the years.
Thunder Wonder scored at Musselburgh last Saturday, making the most of fitness and a tailwind. He’s 4lb well in under a 6lb penalty and holds strong follow-up claims.
Dividend arrives in top form after three all-weather wins. He won here on fast ground last year so looks just as effective on turf.
Tilted Kilt chased home Dividend on seasonal return and gets a 7lb pull. With Ryan Moore booked, he’s a big player.
Seraph Gabriel shaped well over 7f last summer and stayed on strongly when second at Redcar on final start. A mark of 91 looks stiff, but he should have more to offer over a mile.
2:25 – bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes (Group 3) – 1m 2f
This race has seen top-class winners like Mostahdaf and Crystal Ocean. This year’s renewal might lack star power but still has intrigue.
See The Fire (131 RPR): Smart filly last season. She won a York Group 3 and gets 3lb from the boys Yard in form and she’s open to more progress as a 4-year-old.
Al Aasy (130): Landed two Group 3s last year as a 7-year-old and goes well fresh. Might be better over further but he’s a strong traveller for a yard among the winners this season.
Almaqam (128): Listed winner over a mile here last spring and nearly won the Group 2 Prix Dollar on final start last season. Bred to improve at four and handles good ground but wouldn’t mind some ease.
3:00 – bet365 Mile (Group 2) – 1m
A strong line-up of eight for this cracking Group 2 contest.
Lead Artist: Progressive last season. Took a Newmarket Group 3 and goes well fresh. Trainer won this in 2021.
Dancing Gemini: Smart form last year, runner-up in the French 2,000 Guineas, despite no wins. Returned with a stylish Listed win and could kick on as a 4yo.
Tamfana: C&D winner and Group 1 Sun Chariot scorer last season. Carries a 5lb penalty and may need the run, but still one to watch.
Alcantor: Just behind Dancing Gemini in the French 2,000. Made all to win his last two in France. Ryan Moore rides.
Haatem: Lightly raced and a nice profile. Craven winner, placed in two Guineas, and took the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot. Absent since Royal Ascot but a danger if fit.
3:35 – bet365 Classic Trial (Group 3) – 1m 2f
Only five go to post, but all bring untapped potential into their 3yo campaigns. A win for any of the five runners wouldn’t surprise me.
Windlord: Improved with every run last season. Ran third to subsequent Group 1 winner and should relish this trip. Yard has won this three times since 2015.
Swagman: Represents Aidan O’Brien. May not be one of the yard’s top colts but deserves respect.
Damysus: Frankel colt who overcame greenness to win at Southwell on racecourse debut. Interesting prospect. Yard has won this four times since 2008.
I Am I Said: Won a Newmarket novice and has the pedigree to improve over this trip. Exciting prospect. He was one of my five to follow on the flat.
Sir Dinadan: Stablemate of I Am I Said, and this one should come on as a 3yo too. Yard won this with Westover in 2022.
Good luck with your Friday bets.
John