Sandown’s Saturday card gets under way at 1.50 with a nine furlong handicap for three-year-olds. The one we want to be on here is Sir Michael Stoute’s Gothic who looked a little unlucky at Goodwood last time out.
Ryan Moore had him tucked in on the rail as they turned for home and, as often happens at Goodwood, he had difficulty getting a clear run. After switching out and then back again, Gothic flew home to finish only a length behind Solo Hunter. That was a big improvement on his first run of the season where he seemed to get bogged down here in the race won by Windshear.
His dam Riberac was a real battler and Gothic looks to have inherited those qualities. Hopefully Moore can give him a better sight of the front on this occasion. The most dangerous rival may be course winner Reedcutter who beat Cape Icon and the disappointing Provenance last time. He was always travelling comfortably in front and it is difficult to know how much he had to spare.
The one-mile handicap at 2.20 looks virtually impossible to call with several last-time-out winners. St Moritz appears to have been galvanised by a visor and has bolted up in his last two outings. The handicapper has taken a dim view of his most success by lumping him up 12lbs but it is worth mentioning that he is still 17lbs lower than his career best figure.
Richard Hannon’s Aertex is seeking a fourth win on the bounce in the 4.05 and looks well up to the task. She was given a fair bit to do by Richard Hughes at Newbury last time but came through strongly to beat Token Of Love. The form was boosted today by the fourth Cay Dancer, a stable companion of the winner.
The biggest threat could come from Captain Bob who looked set to score at Chester in May before hanging away from the rail in the home straight. Had he kept straight, he could possibly have held on and he now drops back a furlong in trip.
The maiden race at 4.40 looks packed full of promise with the Newbury race won by Second Step coming under the spotlight. Kings Fete (fourth), Fastnet Red (fifth) and Jonny Rae (sixth) all ran well that day but preference is for Sir Michael Stoute’s colt who was not touched with the whip and finished only a length down at the line.
Gothic 1.50 Sandown at 5-2 William Hill
St Moritz 2.20 Sandown at 7-1 BetBright
Aertex 4.05 Sandown at 9-4 Boylesports
Kings Fete 4.40 Sandown
