Racing has been distinctly low key in the UK this week after the excitement of the York Ebor Festival. Sandown provides the entertainment on Friday where all eyes will be on Roger Charlton’s Time Test.
The two-year-old son of Dubawi had caught the eye of several shrewd judges ahead of his debut at Newbury. He has been handed some big-race entries for later in the season so it was disappointing that he could not get past Stec over seven furlongs.
The race itself was extremely modest with just four runners but James Doyle looked to have matters well under control until his mount found nothing under pressure. It may have been a classic case of a horse needing the run and he can go some way to redeeming himself on Friday. There are several newcomers from the big Newmarket yards in opposition, notably Sir Michael Stoute’s Stravagante and John Gosden’s Sugar Boy. Neither hold big race entries and it will be disappointing if Time Test fails again here.
The colt runs in the all-conquering Abdullah colours, as does Torrid for Amanda Perrett in the 3.35 race. This colt is by Three Valleys who was a smart juvenile and he has not been seen since winning by eight lengths at Nottingham last season. He beat a horse called Saab Almanal who was not beaten far in the Dante at York and has since won his maiden at Newmarket. He is rated 95 so Torrid has scope to improve beyond his current mark of 90.
The two concerns are his lengthy absence and the softer going. He has been given an entry in the Cambridgeshire and the stable are generally performing better than they were a month ago. Ryan Moore needed all of his strength to persuade Beach Bar to win at Haydock while Imshivalla has been winning on quicker ground. I’ll take a chance on Torrid’s fitness.
There are several potential improvers in the closing handicap. Dance Of Heroes and Ski Lift both won with a little in hand last time out and have to be respected. I also felt that The Character showed himself capable of winning races when running on well into third at Chester last time. But the one that really catches my eye is Stoute’s Savant.
The grey has had three very quiet races to date, most notably last time out when tenderly handled into fifth place at Kempton. He looks ready to improve for the step up in distance and Ryan Moore takes over in the saddle.
Time Test 3.0 Sandown 9-5 Betfair
Torrid 3.35 Sandown 7-1 BetVictor
Savant 4.45 Sandown 11-2 BetVictor
