TimeformBlog

Timeform go through the runners for the day's big handicap at Sandown...


Circumvent won a mile-and-a-quarter handicap at Newmarket's July meeting in 2010 and also ran well that year when third in a listed race over the same trip at Ayr in September. He was only mid-field in the Cambridgeshire on his final three-year-old start and didn't make much impact in a similarly competitive handicap at Royal Ascot last time.

Harrison George won four times at up to a mile last season. He has left the impression he's gradually working his way back to form and has been dropped a further 3 lb after finishing in mid-field over nine furlongs at York last time.

Light From Mars was back to form with a bang when winning the Spring Cup over a mile at Newbury in April. He hasn't been at his best on either start since, though will appreciate this return to a more suitable trip.

Start Right blossomed last summer, capturing two well-contested handicap. He caught the eye on his penultimate start and wasn't ideally drawn when sixth in the Royal Hunt Cup last time. He is well capable of getting involved.

Dunn'o goes very well here and was better than ever when beating Leviathan by two and a half lengths over course and distance last time. He was possibly helped by racing along on the far side that occasion, but is always entitled to respect at this track.

Kyllachy Star produced a career bet when winning over the extended seven furlongs at Chester in May. He has run just respectably both starts since, though, and could have been better drawn.

Man of Action improved with each of his four runs for John Gosden last summer, winning twice over seven furlongs, but a gelding operation and visor need to have made a difference after running a shocker starting out for this yard last time.

Toolain won twice over seven furlongs at two. He has got back on track with decent efforts in competitive handicaps the last twice, though left the impression that a mile stretched him at Haydock last time, and is now tried in cheekpieces.

Decent Fella is a lightly-raced five-year-old who has improved this term, winning over seven furlongs at Newmarket and finishing a good fourth in the Buckingham Palace over the same trip at Royal Ascot. He travelled strongly that day so it remains to be seen whether the step back up to a mile will suit.

Leivathan is a hold-up performer who has done well for this yard, ending a losing run at Salisbury last time. His earlier course-and-distance second also reads well and a 3 lb rise for Salisbury is unlikely to prevent him from running another big race.

Sooraah won twice around this time last year, including over course and distance. She ran a career best when second over this trip at Ascot on her penultimate start and was much better than the bare result in the Royal Hunt Cup there last time, when finishing a long way clear on the unfavoured side of the track.

Pendragon thrived last year, taking his winning tally to six over a mile and a quarter at Ayr in September. He has been doing equally well this time around, his latest fourth in the Royal Hunt Cup a career-best effort. He is likely to give it his usual good shot.

Emerald Wilderness is a free-going sort with a good record on artificial surfaces. He hasn't been since running in Dubai in early-2010, but has been given a chance by the handicapper (won off 1 lb lower on turf in 2009.

Trade Storm won a seven-furlong minor event a Doncaster on his reappearance and took his form up another notch when fifth of 29 to Sagramor in the Britannia at Royal Ascot last time. He has a chance judged on that form but stall 16 won't make life easy here.

Benandonner has been a super servant to his three trainers to date, winning eight times, most recently in a handicap over a mile at Newmarket in May. He had an off day at Epsom last time, however, and stall 17 is no help here.

Highland Knight is a useful performer, though was flattered by his run in a Group 2 here in April. He is better judged on his two placed efforts since, finding only Dance And Dance too good in a competitive handicap at Epsom last time.

Duster has largely been consistent since going handicapping and took his form to another level when beating Amazing Star over seven furlongs at Warwick last time. This is undoubtedly tougher, but his stable continues in fine form.


Timeform 1-2-3:

1. Leviathan
2. Sooraah
3. Harrison George


Timeform View: A wide draw isn't easy to overcome in a big field over this course and distance so it may pay to concentrate on those positioned towards the inner. Leviathan has done well since joining Tony Newcombe and is taken to follow up his Salisbury success. Sooraah rates a big threat, while Harrison George is one to consider at likely longer odds.


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