There is a midweek treat at Sandown Park as they stage a pair of Group 3 races on Thursday evening’s card.
The Henry II Stakes and Brigadier Gerard Stakes could see some possible Royal Ascot players emerging. Action is from 5.45pm-8.30pm (six races) and you can watch it all unfold via live streaming when logged into MansionBet UK. Our tipster marks your card for Thursday’s evening card at Sandown.
5.45 – Play Coral ‘racing-super-series’ For Free Handicap (1m2f)
Jim Boyle’s top-weight Bad Company has an excellent record since stepped up to this distance and may have another bold bid in him after a pleasing comeback second at Windsor earlier in the month. This looks very open, with Sweet Reward and Suns Up Guns Up others of note, but maybe KING’S CASTLE can sparkle on what is his second start for trainer James Tuite. He’s got winning form at this distance and may have needed the Windsor comeback last month, while the booking of James Doyle is a positive from this reduced mark.
Selection: King’s Castle @ 10/1
6.15 – Coral ‘Beaten By A Length’ National Stakes (Listed, 5f)
Bond Chairman made an impressive start to his career at Musselburgh last month and isn’t dismissed upped in class quickly, while unbeaten Chipotle has posted good times on the clock in his two runs and has valid claims for Eve Johnston-Houghton. Preference is for NAVELLO. He won the Lily Agnes at Chester earlier in the month and did so in commanding fashion. He’s won his last three and is progressive.
Selection: Navello @ 2/1
6.50 – Coral Henry II Stakes (Group 3, 2m)
This may rest between OCEAN WIND and Nayef Road, second and third in last month’s Sagaro Stakes at Ascot behind Stradivarius. The latter has since disappointed at York and Mark Johnston’s charge may settle for a minor role here. Ocean Wind on the other hand was most impressive in landing the Cesarewitch last backend and can book a shot at Stradivarius in next month’s Ascot Gold Cup by taking this Group 3 contest.
Selection: Ocean Wind @ 10/11
7.25 – Coral Brigadier Gerard Stakes (in Memory Of Joe Mercer) (Group 3, 1m2f)
SANGARIUS just about boasts the best form and his Huxley Stakes second behind Armory at Chester on seasonal bow suggest he could be a typical Sir Michael Stoute sort to produce a big season at five-years-old. The 2019 Hampton Court winner remains very low-mileage and has the ability to win this. Extra Elusive ran third behind Waldkonig in the Gordon Richards over C&D (good) last month and rates the main danger to the selection.
Selection: Sangarius @ 11/10
8.00 – Coral Whitsun Cup Handicap (1m)
History Writer was an eyecatcher staying on at Ascot over 7f last time out and looks capable of bagging a race of this ilk from a declining mark having struggled in far better company last season. Ransom is a promising colt with two wins from three starts on the all-weather and he can give a good account on turf bow for Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore but SEMSER is very interesting on first start for latest trainer Gary Moore. He was promising for Roger Varian and scored in his only start for French trainer Francis-Henri Graffard in December. He’s got to have a chance from this mark on his UK return if fit enough to do himself justice.
Selection: Semser @ 10/1
8.30 – Coral ‘supporting Prostate Cancer’ Handicap (1m)
Urban Violet was a wide-margin winner over 1m1f at this track on testing ground a week ago on his seasonal return. He carries a 6lb penalty but could still have plenty in hand if he’s back that run up – he’s got an obvious chance for Mick Channon and Silvestre De Sousa as such. General Lee perhaps didn’t get home over 1m2f at Newmarket last time and may have claims on handicap bow with Oisin Murphy booked. COUL KAT’s Epsom comeback second last month was promising and it might be wisest to overlooked a less pleasing run at Chepstow soon after. He handles soft ground and can bounce back to form after a month off.
Selection: Coul Kat @ 16/1
*All odds correct at time of writing