Friday 24th April 2026
The flat season gets underway at Sandown on Friday with a cracking card on offer. The first of my four selections comes within the 1.50, and this is the Esher Cup, a Class 2 handicap that’s contested over a mile. I’m strong on the chances of ORGANISE here for the team of John & Thady Gosden, and the mount of James Doyle. He made a big impression on debut in November when winning a fourteen-runner affair at Southwell by seven lengths, and followed up on his seasonal reappearance at Yarmouth earlier this month. He still looked green on that occasion, yet won going away, and he’s open to significant improvement. The yard has started the season in fine form, and this expensive purchase could be another nice one for them. He also holds an entry in the Dante Stakes.
Next up for me will be the 3.00, the Group 2 bet365 Mile, and we have an absolutely fantastic renewal of the race. This could easily be a Group 1, and it’s another one for the Gosdens for me as I think that FIELD OF GOLD is the one to beat under Colin Keane. He’s top-rated here and gets weight off his main market rival, Zeus Olympios. He won the Irish Guineas last season and then followed up with a dazzling display in the St James’s Palace Stakes, getting the better of the highly-talented Henri Matisse by three and a half lengths. His season tailed off slightly following that success; however, he still sets a high standard here on his three-year-old form. If he’s anywhere near his best, he should prove tough to beat.
My third selection of the day comes within the 4.10, and this is a Class 3 fillies’ novice event which is contested over a mile and two furlongs. Sunshine Star will be a warm order at the top of the betting here, as she’s open to significant improvement; however, I’ve sided with RIBBON OF SEA here for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. She’s a Sea The Stars filly who cost 1.6 million as a yearling, and opened her account at the second time of asking when winning at Wolverhampton last month by two lengths, running on strongly whilst still looking as though she was learning on the job. She should be even more tuned up for this particular assignment, and having race fitness on her side, as well as the experience of an extra run, could prove to be a deciding factor. She’s a big player and should go well for her powerhouse connections.
The 4.45 closes the card at Sandown on Friday, and it’s a Class 4 handicap that’s ridden over a mile and two furlongs. For my fourth and final selection of the day, I’ve come down on MAGIC TRIP for Andrew Balding and Jason Watson. He was a two and a half length winner on his racecourse debut at Bath back in September, before finding Group 3 company in Italy too hot on his next start. He was given a break following that effort, and returned to action with a very encouraing effort at Kempton earlier this month, where he finished third of thirteen, rallying in the closing stages to be just a length and a half behind the eventual winner. That run came over a mile, and this step up in distance could unlock further improvement, as could plying his trade within handicap company. His yard is in form, and he’s got every chance of going well.
Friday Selections
Sandown Flat Season Opening Day
1.50 Sandown
ORGANISE – (5/4) (Win) (NB)
3.00 Sandown
FIELD OF GOLD – (6/5) (Win) (NAP)
4.10 Sandown
RIBBON OF SEA – (11/4) (Win)
4.45 Sandown
MAGIC TRIP – (7/2) (Win)
