Hi all,
After the fireworks of last week’s Ebor Festival, this Saturday takes on a quieter feel. Sandown provides the principal meeting, headlined by two Group 3s: the Atalanta Stakes (2.25) and the Solario Stakes (3.35).
Chester and Beverley both stage Listed contests, with Beverley’s feature, the Beverley Bullet (2.05), taking centre stage. Across the Irish Sea, the Curragh offers arguably the strongest card with the Irish Cambridgeshire (4.37) and three Group 3s.
ITV Racing will show four live from Sandown and two apiece from Beverley and Chester.
Inside today’s main piece I’ve delved into the four Sandown ITV races.
Sandown
The going at Sandown changed to soft after 16mm of rain on Friday morning. Sadly for me the rain hasn’t arrived at Chester yet.
1:50 – Handicap (Class 3) – 7f
Kodi Lion has progressed nicely since stepping up to 7f, finishing runner-up at Haydock last time. With William Buick booked, he looks primed for another big run. Goes well on a sound surface.
Galeron has disappointed since his good fifth in the Lincoln Handicap but is now 6lb lower and would welcome rain.
Glenfinnan looks out of form but won this 12 months ago from 11lb higher, so a return to C&D could spark him back to life.
Metabolt shaped as though needing the run behind Kodi Lion last time. Should strip fitter but is drawn wide in 15.
2:25 – BetMGM Atalanta Stakes (Group 3) – 1m
Three-year-olds and 4yo fillies’ have shared this race evenly in the past decade, and the Classic generation looks strong again.
Blue Bolt is chasing a four-timer and arrives off a C&D Listed win. She’s progressive, though unproven on ground slower than good.
American Gal brings solid Group 3 form from Ascot last time and shouldn’t be far away.
Cathedral shaped well when 4th in the Coronation Stakes and has excuses since. A stronger pace and some cut in the ground would play to her strengths.
Flight hasn’t kicked on from her Guineas second but drops in class and retains Oisin Murphy.
Hey Boo returns after her respectable effort in the 1,000 Guineas with a first-time tongue-tie. From a good draw and with her yard in form, she has each-way claims.
Spiritual is dangerous if allowed an easy lead, as shown when she won a Group 3 at Epsom. Looks the best of the older generation and she's fine with juice in the ground.
3:00 – Handicap (Class 2) – 1m 2f
A competitive handicap with 14 lining up.
Dangerman is thriving for the application of blinkers, unbeaten in two C&D runs Up 9lb but going the right way and can go close if taking to softer ground.
Castle Cove looked useful when bolting up at Chester on handicap debut. He didn’t get the run of things at Goodwood last time. Remain potentially well treated on his Chester success.
Saddadd looked a smart prospect when landing London Gold Cup at Newbury in May. Looks like he’s been kept for an autumn campaign on easier ground.
Flying Frontier won this last year and is only 1lb higher even after another C&D success last time. The recent rain is a worry as his best form has come on quicker ground.
Savvy Victory, a previous C&D winner, ran his best race this season at Goodwood last time and is handicapped to strike if reproducing his best.
Take Heart was poor on stable debut for David Menuisier at Goodwood but has dropped 3lb below last season’s winning mark and the yard is in better form now.
3:35 – BetMGM Solario Stakes (Group 3) – 7f
A race with a rich history of producing top-class horses.
Publish impressed when winning over C&D last time and represents a yard with a stellar record in this race (Kingman, Too Darn Hot, Field Of Gold all previous winners). Open to plenty of improvement and has obvious claims.
Pacific Avenue scored on debut at Newmarket and hails from the Appleby team, who have three Solario wins since 2017. He’s another open to further progress.
He’s Waliim, by Too Darn Hot, made a winning debut at Beverley and is capable of better on his second start.
Yesterday’s rain means Publish is a non-runner. It’s a good decision and show’s connections see him as a good horse. Why give him a hard race on soft ground so early in his career?
Saturday Free Tip
Sandown
2:25 – I don't know if Blue Bolt will handle the rain softended ground but at 6/1 I can take a chance she does.
Blue Bolt – £2 win – 6/1 (William Hill)
Running Total – £90
I’ll be back on Monday to look back at Saturday’s action.
Good luck with your Saturday bets.
John