Thursday 29th May 2025
6.05 Sandown: Starsports.Bet Handicap: We get things underway on Brigadier Gerard evening at Sandown with the 6.05, and this is a Class 4 handicap that’s contested over a mile. I like the chances of Rockin’ The Boat here for David Menuisier, and is the mount of Ryan Moore. She made a pleasing return to the track at Newmarket earlier this month, finishing fourth of eleven and two and a half lengths behind the Silver Ghost. That was her handicap debut, so natural progression should be on the cards here as she still looked to be learning on that occasion. The step up to a mile should also suit, given how she kept on that day, and I think she can go well here. Rockin’ The Boat – 3/1 (Win) (NAP)
6.35 Sandown: Star Sports National Stakes: Next up is the 6.35, and we move up in grade here with the Listed National Stakes that’s contested over five furlongs. The market is currently dominated by First Legion and Clear Force here, who both have obvious claims; however, I’ve tried to take them on with Sayidah Hard Spun for Richard Hughes and William Buick. I was quite impressed with her success at Kempton last week, where she quickened to win well over six furlongs, and progressing from her fourth-placed effort on debut in a decent Ascot maiden. The drop back down to five might not be ideal here, however, I think she’s talented, and there should be more to come. Sayidah Hard Spun – 10/1 (Each-Way)
7.05 Sandown: Star Sports Henry II Stakes: We continue to move up in grade at 7:05 with the Group 3 Henry II Stakes, that’s contested over two miles. Trawlerman is currently heading the betting at a short price, and I’ll be looking to take him on at those odds with Coltrane for Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy. This fine servant owes nothing to connections, but his days are far from numbered yet, and despite finishing second when odds-on on his seasonal reappearance at Ascot last month, he’s proved in the past he’s much sharper on his second start of the campaign. There isn’t much between him and Trawlerman on their best form, and I’ll chance the Balding charge getting the better of the argument here. Coltrane – 5/1 (Each-Way)
7.35 Sandown: Star Sports Brigadier Gerard Stakes: The feature race of the evening comes up at 7.35 and this is the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes over a mile and two furlongs. We’ve got a competitive looking field in this year’s renewal, of which I’ve come down on Almaqam for Ed Walker and Oisin Murphy. He ran well on his seasonal reappearance in Group 3 company over course and distance last month, when just a length and a quarter behind Al Aasy in third, and he seems to like it here, having won the Listed Heron Stakes on this card last year. He was also only a head behind Jayarebe in Group 2 company in France on his final start of the final campaign, and I think he can post a serious bid here now he’s got the fitness of a run under his belt. Almaqam – 11/4 (Win) (NB)
8.05 Sandown: Star Sports Heron Stakes: We move onto the penultimate race of the card, which is the 8.05, and this is the Listed Heron Stakes that’s contested over a mile. I like Opera Ballo here for the all-conquering team of Charlie Appleby and William Buick. He looked like a potentially exciting colt in his first two starts, both coming at Kempton, where he won both by a combined total of twelve and a half lengths. He was too keen in the Craven Stakes behind subsequent Irish Guineas winner Field Of Gold last time out, and that was also a hot race. He’s in calmer waters here, and if he settles better, he should be going close. Opera Ballo – 6/4 (Win)
8.40 Sandown: Starsports.Bet Whitsun Cup Handicap: Signing us off for the evening will be the 8.40, and this is Class 3 handicap action that’s also ridden over a mile. I’m keeping the faith with Crack Shot here for Daniel & Claire Kubler and the mount of William Buick. He ran well on his seasonal reappearance at Kempton in April when finishing third of twelve; however, he wasn’t able to follow up when finishing down the field when fancied at Newmarket last time out. He was said to have lost his action though on that occasion, and if back to form, should be competitive at the least here off a pound lower than his last winning mark. He also has a handy draw. Crack Shot – 6/1 (Each-Way) (4 places – Several firms)
