Racing
Sandown Place 6 preview | September 14th
13.50 – Whatton Manor Stud Handicap – 5f
PHOENIX STAR is on a losing run at the moment but his dead-heat victory over C&D in a class 3 last year is some of the best form on offer and he’s astonishingly 14Ib lower now. He went very close at Newcastle last time and a repeat showing here off bottom-weight could see him go one better. NUBOUGH ran well when second last month after a mini break and is another to consider in this wide-open contest.
Selections: PHOENIX STAR, NUBOUGH
14.25 – Time Test British EBF Novice Stakes (GBB Race) – 1m
LOCAL DYNASTY made a winning debut at Newmarket in August and that form has substance given the runner-up has gone close since. He couldn’t justify favouritism when only fifth in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes last time but this is a huge drop in class and he retains considerable potential with a lot more to offer for the boys in blue. He’s a confident choice to at least make the frame.
Selections: LOCAL DYNASTY
15.00 – Blandford Bloodstock Novice Stakes (GBB Race) – 7f
STRIKING STAR is a very well-bred newcomer for Charlie Appleby who’s had an excellent season with his debutants. The application of a hood here is a bit curious but he could make an impact here. Ralph Beckett has also had a good season with his newcomers and therefore NOTHING TO SEA has to be included. He also boasts a good pedigree and wasn’t exactly a cheap yearling, so he could go well at a big price.
Selections: STRIKING STAR, NOTHING TO SEA
15.35 – Chasemore Farm Fortune Stakes (Listed) – 1m
If BAYSIDE BOY can’t win this race then I’m sure connections will be left thinking if he’ll ever win a pattern-class race again to be honest. He’s the highest rated of these, comes out best at the weights, and Roger Varian’s smart three-year-old is surely going to be hard to beat here. He twice made the frame in Group 1 events last year and was third in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy on soft ground at Doncaster behind Luxembourg. With the blinkers fitted, conditions holding no fears, and William Buick booked to ride, he is surely a class above these.
Selections: BAYSIDE BOY
16.10 – Coln Valley Stud Fillies’ Handicap – 1m
BELHAVEN won twice on the spin between May and June, including over C&D when beating an 82-rated rival. His latest run was too bad to be true, so he can be forgiven for that one occasion, and is worth risking here in the hope he can bounce back to his best. TANGO TONIGHT has been kept to the AW but should be an even better filly now tackling the turf for the first time and if a two month break has helped, she could be thereabouts.
Selections: BELHAVEN, TANGO TONIGHT
16.40 – Highclere Stud Handicap – 1m1f
LATER DARLING deserves to get his head in front and came close to doing just that last time when a close-up third on soft ground. Most of his form in defeat has worked out well, so off a workable mark, Amanda Perrett’s youngster should get involved here. SAVROLA has run well twice in defeat since winning back in July and with the prospect of more to come, this son of Churchill should remain competitive.
Selections: LATER DARLING, SAVROLA
