Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece I’m looking at the best of Friday’s Racing at Sandown.

Today marks the first of two days of racing at Sandown, with the card focusing on flat racing before tomorrow’s conclusion to the British 2023-24 National Hunt season. Among the highlights is the Group 3 bet365 Classic Trial (3:35), where Godolphin’s Arabian Crown, a leading contender for the Epsom Derby, will put his Classic credentials to the test against seven rivals.

In addition to the Derby Trial, the card features the Group 2 bet365 Mile (3:00), showcasing the return of Nostrum and Doncaster scorer Charyn, who will face off against Lord North. The Group 3 bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes (2:25) is another notable race on the card, with Desert Hero, third in last season’s St Leger, making his seasonal return against six rivals.

Friday’s racing also sees the conclusion of Perth’s April meeting, with the Quinnbet Highland National (2:05) as the highlight of the card.

ITV Racing will cover five races from Sandown and two additional races from Perth on ITV4 this afternoon.

Sandown

2:25 – bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes (Group 3) – 1m 2f

Desert Hero makes his return over a distance that might be slightly short for him, but if he's not inconvenienced by the trip, he should be in contention.

Israr thrives on good ground, not too quick, and comes into the race with race fitness on his side after running in Doha in February. With blinkers on for the first time and a drop back to 1m 2f, he's a strong contender, especially considering his yard's recent successes in this race.

Okeechobee showed promise in his return from an 18-month layoff with a close second in a Listed race at Kempton last month. With room for improvement, he's one to watch among the seven runners.

3:00 – bet365 Mile (Group 2) – 1m

Lord North's recent performance at Meydan was below his usual standard, but if he can bounce back to form, he's capable of winning this race. However, being an 8-year-old, he’s vulnerable to younger legs.  

Nostrum showed promise with a victory in a Listed race at Newmarket last July but failed to build on that success in subsequent starts. However, with excuses in his last outings, he remains a strong contender, especially given he goes well fresh.

Charyn looks to have improved from three to four after his win in the Listed Doncaster Mile on heavy ground in March. Although the ground may be different today, he remains a strong contender if he can adapt to the quicker conditions.

3:35 – bet365 Classic Trial (Group 3) – 1m 2f

Arabian Crown's connections will expect nothing less than a winning seasonal return from him. With a juvenile hat trick under his belt, including a Group 3 success in the Zetland Stakes at Newmarket last October, he enters the race the one to beat.

Macduff, a winner on his racecourse debut, showed promise with each start last season, culminating in a solid fourth-place finish in the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket. As a son of Sea The Stars, he's likely to benefit from the step up to 1m 2f as a 3-year-old.

War Rooms displayed potential with a debut victory at Doncaster last July but showed signs of inexperience in a Listed race next time. As a 3-year-old, he has room for improvement and shouldn’t be totally overlooked.

Friday Selection

If you want all my Newmarket Guineas Festival, Chester and York Dante Meetings selections you can get them here.

That's Friday's racing preview wrapped up. Now, onto Friday’s selection, which comes from Sandown. While I'm torn between Okeechobee (2:25) and Charyn (3:00), in the end, I've opted for the latter, who I believe should be the favorite.

Sandown

3:00 – Charyn.

Good luck with your Friday racing bets.

John