The pick of the action in the UK on Thursday comes from Sandown’s evening fixture with a six race card starting at 5.40.
The most interesting event on the card is the handicap for three-year-olds at 7.25 over ten furlongs. Several of these have plenty of room for improvement with three of them having won last time out. John Gosden’s Prince Of Stars has been notable by his absence since winning at Chester back in May and has been well supported in the early skirmishes for his handicap debut.
He didn’t beat much at Chester and the Wood Ditton form has taken a few knocks so he is passed over at odds of around 5-2. Mythical Madness won a poor race last time and Hoop Of Colour overcame trouble in running to win a five-runner race at Pontefract. He is up a few pounds but the form of Lady Cecil’s stable does not inspire confidence.
Luca Cumani’s Comedy King is probably better than he showed last time out while Hedge End is incredibly consistent but has not won since December. She finished well at Goodwood last week behind Magique and runs off the same mark here. She seems to try her heart out and is the each-way selection in a tricky contest.
Roger Charlton’s Tides Reach is a bit of a puzzler in the closing handicap. She has always looked more of a soft ground filly but won by eight lengths at Windsor on good to firm last time out. I think she was flattered by the runner-up having been virtually eased to a walk by Richard Hughes at the line and she is worth opposing.
I have been impressed by the way in which Silvestre De Sousa has kept his head down after the poor treatment he received from Godolphin. He teams up with Unison who has run a couple of solid races and should go close here. He is closely weighted with Sweet Martoni but can just sneak it.
Over at Brighton, I think Lear’s Rock can improve on his debut fourth at Sandown and may be good enough to beat Hawkmeister. Richard Hannon’s runner is fitted with the blinkers here after a disappointing run at Lingfield last time out. Azmaam’s run at Sandown last time is best forgotten after a tardy start and he showed enough on his debut to win Haydock’s 2.40 race.
Lear’s Rock 3.20 Brighton
Azmaam 2.40 Haydock
Hedge End (each-way) 7.25 Sandown at 7-1 BetVictor
Unison 8.25 Sandown at 5-1 Paddy Power
