Sir Michael Stoute’s stable has burst into form in the past couple of weeks and he launches an assault across Sandown and Goodwood on Thursday.
The pick of his Sandown runners is Provenance who bolted up at Kempton on his debut and is now tried in handicap company. He does not yet have any high profile entries but I would be surprised if he is not able to follow up off a mark of just 84. The form of his Kempton win may be moderate but he is not up against a very inspiring bunch on Thursday with several of them having flopped last time out.
Russian Heroine should not be hard pushed to take the opener for Stoute after a good debut run at Windsor behind Cajoling. Although no match for the winner, it looks the best form on show in this contest.
Stoute’s third runner of the night is Munaaser in the mile and a quarter handicap. He looked to have been given plenty to do last time but cut down the leader readily before surging five lengths clear. The one thing that worries me about him is his high knee action. The going is good to firm at the Esher track and that could just catch him out.
It is interesting that Ryan Moore partners Cricklewood Green who ran well for Richard Hannon last time. I am not convinced that he will be suited by the conditions either and I’m siding with Luca Cumani’s Roseburg.
He won stylishly at Pontefract over this distance and has much more of a daisy-cutting action suited to quicker ground. He looks a far more tempting proposition at the prices than the Stoute horse. I will also be keeping an eye on Gold Trail who showed plenty of promise as a juvenile but is yet to race this season.
Stoute’s fourth runner is Savant in the maiden race but there is a long odds-on favourite here in Mutakkayef. He took two bumps when beaten by a decent sort in Barley Mow at Newmarket and this looks a lot easier to win.
Russian Heroine 5.55 Sandown
Provenance 7.00 Sandown at 11-8 BetVictor
Roseburg 7.35 Sandown at 10-1 BetVictor
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