Friday 12th June 2026
I’ve got a bit of a bumper blog this Friday, with several good meetings on the level taking place on the day; therefore, I’ve got six selections spread out at Sandown, York, and Goodwood. The first of which comes within the 2.48 at Sandown, and this is a Class 3 maiden over seven furlongs. I like KING’S WELCOME here for the Godolphin duo of Charlie Appleby and William Buick. He cost 1,900,000gns as a yearling, and makes plenty of appeal on paper for his powerhouse connections. The yard also won this race last year with Saba Desert, and their only other two-year-old to run this term before the day’s racing was a winner. It would be no surprise to see him make a winning debut. Pat’s Cash is likely to be the danger, as he should progress from a promising debut run at Haydock.
My second selection of the day comes from York and the 3.00, which is a Class 2 fillies’ handicap over six furlongs. I’m fairly strong on the chances of BINTARYANA here for William Knight and Marco Ghiani, and she’s my NB for the afternoon. She was a well-supported winner of a Nottingham maiden back in April, and has continued to progress following that success, posting a very encouraing second-placed effort on her handicap debut at Haydock last month. She’s only a couple of pounds higher here, and there should be more to come from her. Dandana is the likely main danger on her seasonal reappearance, given that she’s having her sights lowered following tries within pattern company when last seen. There should also be more to come from Splish Splash within handicap company.
Next up for me will be the 3.58 at Sandown, a Class 4 handicap over a mile and two furlongs. This is a competitive-looking affair; however, it could pay to side with the Richard Hannon-trained TAMBORA, who’s the mount of Pat Dobbs. He’s run well in three typically hot Newbury novice and maiden events so far, and there’s likely improvement to come on his handicap debut here. He cost 120,000 gns, and he could prove considerably better than this opening handicap mark. Brighton View won at Newbury last time out and is feared off just a two-pound higher mark, and Dryburgh is likely to be on the premises once again for Oli Rix, who’s the mount of Saffie Osbourne.
It’s back over to York for selection number four, and the 4.10, which is a typically competitive Class 2 handicap for this track. Both Antipodes and Rathgar will be warm orders at the top of the betting here, as both are progressive and hold every chance to run well again. I’ve come down on the Jim Goldie-trained ALTAREQ here, though, who’s the mount of five-pound claimer Lauren Young. He’s posted two highly encouraing efforts since joining this yard from the Gosdens, finishing an excellent third of fifteen in a similar contest over course and distance in May, before filling the same position in a hot handicap at Hamilton last time out behind Diego Ventura and Eternal Force. This is solid form, and I think that he could prove well-handicapped here off a two-pound lower mark than last time out.
My penultimate pick on Friday comes within the 4.35 at Sandown, a Class 5 handicap over seven furlongs. I’ve come down on LOHOOBB here, who represents Owen Burrows, and is set to be ridden by Callum Rodriguez. He’s still a maiden after five starts; however, he showed significant progression on his second start within handicap company to finish a length second of seven at Lingfield last time out, when he perhaps didn’t get a lot of luck in the run. He remains on the same mark for this assignment, and a bold showing could be on the cards. Euphonia is the obvious main threat for Ed Walker, as she comes into the race chasing a hat-trick, and Lion Of Mali is also no stranger to the winners’ enclosure, and is once again respected.
Signing me off for the day will be the 5.32 at Goodwood, a Class 4 maiden over six furlongs, and this is my best bet of the day, which comes in the form of ROLLTHEDICEBABY for Richard Hannon and Neil Callan. She made a very promising start to her racing career when finishing second on debut in a five-furlong novice at this track, and the form of that race has been boosted as the winner has since run well in a Listed race at York. She sets the standard on the back of that run, and with natural improvement likely, she’s the one to beat. She’s also by smart sprinter Soldier’s Call, who was a personal favourite of mine. Tallahassee Lassie and Bearly Blue are both likely to improve following their debut efforts, and make up the shortlist behind the selection.
Friday Selections
12/06/2026
2.48 Sandown
KING’S WELCOME – (4/5) (Win)
3.00 York
BINTARYANA – (11/4) (Win) (NB)
3.58 Sandown
TAMBORA – (11/4) (Win)
4.10 York
ALTAREQ – (10/3) (Win)
4.35 Sandown
LOHOOBB – (7/2) (Win)
5.32 Goodwood
ROLLTHEDICEBABY – (5/4) (Win) (NAP)
