Friday 25th April 2025
1.15 Sandown: bet365 Handicap: We get things underway on Friday at Sandown with the 1.15, which is a competitive Class 2 handicap that’s contested over five furlongs. I like Redorange here for the team of Clive Cox and Finley Marsh. He showed steady progression last term and signed off his campaign with a victory on his handicap debut at Yarmouth in September. He’s been gelded over the winter and should continue to progress throughout this campaign. I think he can go well here for a yard that excel with their sprinters. Redorange – 4/1 (Win)
1.50 Sandown: bet365 Esher Cup Handicap: The second race of the afternoon at Sandown is the 1.50 and this is the bet365 Esher Cup, which is a Class 2 handicap that’s ridden over a mile. I think that this can go to Thunder Wonder for Charlie Johnston and Joe Fanning. He was an impressive winner of a competitive handicap at Musselburgh last Saturday by five and a half lengths and should have a fine chance of following up here under a penalty, given how comfortably he won that race. The yard has also had success in this race in the past following that specific Musselburgh race. Thunder Wonder – 4/1 (Win)
2.25 Sandown: bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes: We move up in grade at 2.25 with the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes that’s contested over a mile and two furlongs. I like See The Fire here, who’s currently trading at a best price of 9/2 for Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy. She progressed into a smart filly last term, winning the Group 3 Strensall Stakes at York before running well in back-to-back Group 1s in the Sun Chariot Stakes and Champion Stakes respectively. I think that she has the best form on offer here and can post a bold bid for a yard that have started the season in fine form. See The Fire – 9/2 (Win) (NAP)
3.00 Sandown: bet365 Mile: Next up it’s the 3.00 and this is the Group 2 bet365 mile, and this year’s renewal looks to be competitive with a whole host of smart prospects. I like Lead Artist here for John & Thady Gosden, who’s the mount of Kieran Shoemark. He looks to have significant potential and has every chance of cementing himself as a top-level performer this term. He won the Group 3 Darley Stakes on his penultimate start of last season before signing off with a second-placed effort in the Group 2 Bahrain Trophy. He’s versatile ground-wise, and I think he could take some beating in this. Lead Artist – 7/2 (Win)
3.35 Sandown: bet365 Classic Trial: We move onto the Classic Trial now, which takes place at 3.35 and is Group 3 action over a mile and two furlongs. All of these have the potential to be very smart, however, I’m taking a chance on I Am I Said, who represents Ralph Beckett and Hector Crouch. He was a very impressive winner of his only racecourse start to date, which came at Newmarket back in October, where he won by four and a quarter lengths. That was over a mile, and he went further clear in the closing stages, giving the impression that he should relish this step up to ten furlongs. This is also validated in his breeding, being by Almanzor. I Am I Said – 7/2 (Win)
4.10 Sandown: bet365 ‘Wild Card’ Fillies’ Novice Stakes: The penultimate race of the day is the 4.10, and this is a Class 2 novice event that’s also ridden over a mile and two furlongs. I like Tattycoram here, who’s another one for Ralph Beckett and this time the mount of Rossa Ryan. She finished third behind Winter’s Song on her seasonal reappearance at Yarmouth earlier this month, and will reoppose that rival here. She was slow away that day and found trouble in running, despite being sent off favourite. I think she’s got every chance of turning around the form with that rival in receipt of weight, given she gets a clearer run, and she should also progress following her first start of the campaign. Tattycoram – 7/2 (Win) (NB)
4.45 Sandown: Nordoff & Robbins Jeff Beck Memorial Handicap: Signing us off for the day will be the 4.45, and this is a Class 4 handicap that’s another contest over a mile and two furlongs. I’m taking a chance on one at a big price here, and that’s Mighty Boy for Brian Meehan and Tommie Jakes, who takes off five pounds. He’s not followed up a promising debut run in France, however, should progress following his first outing of the season at Newbury earlier this month when he finished seventh of twelve. He could also improve now handicapping and gets a useful five pounds off his back via his rider. Mighty Boy – 25/1 (Each-Way) (4 places – Several firms)
