It’s Brigadier Gerard Evening at Sandown on Thursday, the richest evening horse racing meeting in the UK.
We’ve got free Sandown tips on-site from our top tipping team of Alan Kelly and Charlie McCann, including their Nap of the Day selections.
Alan Kelly - 6:37pm Sandown - Hawaiian (Nap)
An excellent renewal of this Listed speed test for juveniles which is run over the minimum trip of five furlongs. Saturday’s impressive Newbury winner Elite Status won the race 12 months ago prior to finishing third in the Norfolk at Royal Ascot and whichever horse prevails tonight is likely to head to the royal meeting next month.
Tom Dascombe’s Sonic Blue only won a four-horse maiden at Doncaster on his debut earlier in the month. But this son of Blue Point is clearly well thought of and capable of a big run, as are the Dominic Ffrench Davis-trained pair of Enchanting Empress and Reposado. However, if there is a potential Royal Ascot winner in the field it is likely to be Richard Hannon’s HAWAIIAN (Nap), the mount of Sean Levey.
Sent off a warm favourite on his debut in a Newbury maiden last month, the Kodiac colt travelled strongly throughout the race and despite having only a neck to spare over runner-up Star Anthem passing the line, never looked in danger of defeat. The form of the race could hardly have worked out much better with Star Anthem going on to win comfortably at Bath, while the third, fourth and fifth horses home all ran well in defeat next time. Fellow rival Reposado, narrowly beaten at Ascot just over a week ago, was back in seventh place behind Hawaiian, who looks an exciting prospect for the future.
Charlie McCann - 7:07pm Sandown - Sweet William
Devil’s Point landed the German 2000 Guineas for David Menuisier on Monday, and his Caius Chorister had SWEET WILLIAM behind when the pair filled the placings behind Coltrane in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot last month.
They meet on the same terms this evening, although the Gosdens fit the selection with a hood for the first time. The Ascot race came at a time when the Gosden horses were coming on for their seasonal reappearance, and the selection travelled like the best horse in the race before finding disappointingly little when push came to shove.
He is entitled to come on for the run, but he must do so as the mare Caius Chorister will likely ensure a decent test. She did not lead at Ascot with Quickthorn in the field but made all at Saint-Cloud on her final start last season over 1m 6f+. A decent gallop will also play into the hands of Trueshan, who will relish underfoot conditions but must give 7lbs and more to his six rivals.
I am not convinced Chesspiece wants this trip, but connections must believe it is worth a try. Sweet William is a best price of 2/1 at the time of writing, but I think he will drift as money comes for Trueshan as the rain falls on Wednesday. I would be disappointed if we do not get 5/2 at some stage.
Charlie McCann - 8:12pm Sandown - Ice Max (Nap)
Royal Rhyme, and Hawaiian run in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum earlier, and it is a big night for connections as I was blown away by ICE MAX at Musselburgh last time albeit in a modest handicap and expect to see him take the step up in grade in his stride for Karl Burke.
Beating Individualism by over five lengths, giving him 19lbs, is nothing special given the runner up’s poor run in the London Cup at the weekend but he travelled like at least a listed race performer on that occasion on ground that was just on the soft side of good.
A winner on heavy ground at Bath previously, Ice Max will appreciate the likely ease in the ground and has been a revelation since his gelding procedure over the winter. This is a much better race than an egg-and-spoon Musselburgh handicap, with many of the big Newmarket and Lambourn yards in opposition. However, I am a big Ice Max fan and will be with him until he meets with defeat.
Son and Remaadd are considered the chief threats in this excellent renewal of this Listed contest. Still, I will be disappointed if Ice Max does not run a huge race, although I am assuming conditions will remain no better than good to soft.
Alan Kelly - 8:42pm Sandown - Magic Memories (Each-Way)
An open renewal of the Whitsun Cup to end an excellent evening of action, a race in which all 12 contenders can be given a chance on one piece of form or another. William Knight’s Dual Identity has run many of his best races at the Esher track, including an impressive victory back in September off a mark of 87.
Now rated 93, Neil Callan’s mount is sure to come on for his run in Epsom’s City & Suburban last month but may just be in the grip of the handicapper at the moment. Crack Shot opened his account for the season with a Newmarket victory earlier in the month and this consistent performer should go well again despite racing off a 5lb higher mark.
At a double-figure price however, I think it could be worth taking a chance on Gary & Josh Moore’s bottom weight MAGIC MEMORIES (Each-Way). David Egan’s mount ran no sort of a race at Leicester last time following an awkward start and is better judged on his previous efforts, including a creditable third in a competitive Newmarket handicap in November, a performance which can be marked up considering the gelding lost many lengths at the start after rearing up leaving the stalls.
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