Wadilsafa impresses at York
Wadilsafa impresses at York

Fortune Stakes preview & tips | Wadilsafa to strike it lucky


Get the latest from Owen Burrows on Wadilsafa as well as Man On The Spot's verdict ahead of the Listed Fortune Stakes at Sandown on Wednesday.

Smarkets Fortune Stakes (Listed) Preview
3.15 Sandown

Owen Burrows believes the Sandown track will play to the strengths of Wadilsafa on his step back up in class in the Smarkets Fortune Stakes.

The son of Frankel will return to Listed company in the mile contest having run out a convincing winner of a handicap at York last time out when bouncing back from his defeat in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Burrows said: "He is the top-rated horse in the race, but he has got to go there and do it. It looks like there will be plenty of pace on.

"I know he made it at York last time, but he got a lead when he won at Newmarket so as long as they go a good gallop, he will be fine.

"I think the stiff mile at Sandown should suit him as he was very strong in the last furlong at York. The ground is drying out, which is good, and I'm looking forward to running him.

"It seemed to be key dropping him back to a mile last time. He always looked like he would get a bit further though.

"He was drawn out wide at Royal Ascot and he got no cover. He was not beaten that far and it was only his third ever run.

"I thought he was very professional at York against some decent handicappers and a few winners have come out behind him."

Martin Smith feels The Emperor Within deserves to take his chance in the race having claimed a victory over course and distance last time out.

The Newmarket handler said: "He is in top form and he has come out of his last race well. He is a course and distance winner and when we saw there was a Listed race there, we thought it is probably the best place to go.

"There was a case for running him in a handicap off 93, but he is still improving and he deserves to take his chance in this. If nothing else, we will learn which direction we will go in the future.

"I think the mile is his minimum and he was beaten by two useful horses over a bit further in his two starts before, although I don't think he will get further than a mile and a quarter.

"We've not got lots of horses, so it would be nice for the yard to get a winner in a race with a bit of significance."

Last year's successful trainer Richard Hannon will be double handed in the race after declaring both Flying North and Red Starlight.

The field is completed by Zhui Feng (Amanda Perrett), Archetype (Simon Crisford), Hathal (Jamie Osborne), Hors De Combat (Denis Coakley) and Queen Of Time (Henry Candy).

Man On The Spot Verdict

As a three-year-old filly, Red Starlight gets all the allowances even though she’s already won three times this year. Conditions won’t be a problem and she shouldn’t be far away but it was difficult not to be impressed with another three-year-old, WADILSAFA (NAP), at York. Owen Burrow’s colt bounded clear of some useful handicappers on the Knavesmire and is well worth a try in Listed company. Hors De Combat’s only win in the last four years came at Meydan but he’s a tough sort who will likely run his race again. Archetype has only run once in the UK this year but is a dual course winner and he makes more appeal than Queen of Time and Zhui Feng, who faces a stiff task under top weight.


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