After the excitement and quality four days of the Ebor Festival, the racing returns to a semblance of normality on Sunday but despite that there are still a few cards in the UK and Ireland to get stuck into to continue our racing fix.
They race on the flat at Wolverhampton, Sandown and Naas while there is a card over the obstacles up at Cartmel. Our attention is firmly on the flat though and we are going to attempt to follow up our two winners on Saturday with two from Sandown on Sunday.
2.30 Sandown
Preview
A small field sees Muraad as favourite for an Owen Burrows yard in fine form. He won last time out wearing down Overwrite in the last strides suggesting an extra furlong might be in range but this track is very different to that of Goodwood so he’s oppoosable, especially off a 5lb higher mark. It’s surprising to see Davydenko & Good Birthday feature prominently in the betting given they are both out of form whilst High End, for Godolphin, has been off the track for almost 3 years so his fitness has to be taken on trust.
Betting
Maori Knight is a big price but that’s probably due to his last 2 runs where he’s had excuses. He raced wide at Ascot in a heat won by subsequent Derby runner Highland Chief & then pulled really hard at Newcastle when racing up with a fast pace. Watch that race again & his performance can be upgraded. Previously he was 2nd behind Midnight’s Legacy at Haydock, getting chinned on the line, & the winner has since won off a 7lb higher mark. Our selection is effectively 1lb lower than his mark that day if you take into account the jockey’s allowance. Add to that he’s the sole 3 year old in the field so gets a handy 7lbs from his rivals, he’s going to be right there at the business end if the pace is true & the first time cheekpieces have a positive effect.
Tips
Back Maori Knight (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 15.00 BetVictor BOG (⅕ odds 1-3)
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3.05 Sandown
Preview
In fairness, the Group 3 Atlanta Stakes revolves around Quadrilateral. She was champion 2 year old last year & has twice finished 3rd this year in a pair of Group 1’s, the 1000 Guineas & the Coronation Stakes. She should be tough to beat but she might not relish this stiff finish & isn’t a 5/4 shot. Billesdon Brook is a solid performer at Group level & has winning form in the very highest company so is rated a big danger but she’d be of more interest at Newmarket.
Betting
Instead, we’re siding with Lavender’s Blue. She’s a very strong travelling sort who today has the assistance of Jim Crowley in the saddle, who won the race on her last term. After winning here, she finished 4th in the Group 1 Sun Chariot when running into trouble under Rab Havlin. She’s been seen twice this year, the first at Royal Ascot in a Group 2 where she travelled the best all the way before failing to quicken but that was off a fast pace where the front 3 or 4 all came from further back. She looked in need of the race. Her only other run was in the Group 1 Nassau where she went off at 40/1 in a really hot contest. She pulled hard early, sat out the back &, in the end, finished 5 lengths behind the winner despite getting no run up the straight. To my eye, she’d have easily been in the first 3 with a clear run which could be argued would be good enough here. Back at a track she likes, with a good jockey booking, back in trip (which will suit) & with a clear run, she’s certain to be in the reckoning.
Tips
PLACED – Back Lavender’s Blue (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 8.00 William Hill BOG (⅕ odds 1-3)
Back her here: