The Eclipse card is fast approaching but there is a decent appetiser on Friday with some good quality racing. Prior to Royal Ascot I had not taken much notice of the two-year-olds but some fine performances by Rizeena and War Command have re-ignited my interest and there is an intriguing little race at the Esher course tomorrow.
Royal Ascot form cannot always be taken at face value but the Queen Mary is starting to look particularly hot. Fig Roll (4th) and Ventura Mist (8th) came out and filled the first two places in a decent race at Newmarket whilst Bye Bye Birdie (12th) picked up a good contest in Ireland.
That suggests that William Haggas has every chance with Survived who battled on well to be a close sixth. I prefer her to the colt, Mick Channon’s Ambiance. He was fourth to No Nay Never but Coach House hasn’t done much for the form since and I just feel that may have been a weaker race.
However, I feel that Tom Dascombe’s eight-length Chester winner Fine ‘n Dandy could beat them both. He had his field beaten at half-way on the Roodeye and his trainer things highly enough of him to enter him for the Nunthorpe. He looks generously priced at 9-2.
The Listed Ambant Gala Stakes has attracted a really good field and I’m hoping that there will be just enough give in the ground for Mandour to take this. He is clearly still improving judged by his latest effort when a closing third to Maxios in a Group 1.
Afsare’s antics have been well documented and he has been singled out by Mr Fallon as the reason behind his recent sacking from riding for the owner. James Doyle may no longer be on the magic carpet that swept him to a treble at the Royal meeting but it will be fascinating to see if he can galvanise this talented gelding.
Van Der Neer is an interesting rival having run a fine race at the Royal meeting behind Remote. He had run well in the Guineas before flopping in Ireland but this looks more his trip and he rates as the main danger.
Al Saham completes my treble for the meeting in a tricky little handicap. He had been entered for the Old Newton Cup but Godolphin send him here instead. He looked a big long-striding sort when he won at Haydock, overcoming interference in the process. Hopefully Silvestre De Sousa can get him out in plenty of time to gallop his rivals into the ground.
Sandown Friday
2.50 Fine ‘n Dandy 9-2 Coral
4.00 Mandour 5-2 Coral
4.35 Al Saham 4-1 William Hill
