Full preview and tips for Heron and National Stakes at Sandown

Heron Stakes - View from connections

John Gosden insists Without Parole still has a bit to prove as he puts his unbeaten record on the line in the Matchbook Is Commission Free Heron Stakes at Sandown on Thursday. He was briefly in the 2000 Guineas picture after bolting up at Yarmouth, but a late setback ruled him out of the Classic.

"He has got a bit to prove, he won a nice novice at Yarmouth but he then bruised his foot and it was pretty nasty," said Gosden. "That kept him off for a few days because he had an abscess with it. He's a grand horse but he's only had two runs in his life, he'll be learning a lot. This horse is on an upward curve, he's nowhere near where he's going to be, so whether he shines (at Sandown) or learns more, I don't know. He's well entered and we have options over a mile and 10 furlongs."

Among his eight rivals is David Menuisier's Vintager, an impressive winner on his debut last season and not disgraced in good races since.

"He's in very good form and has improved for his first run," said Menuisier. "That was a really good effort against a horse who ran really well in the Dante (Merlin Magic) and we were giving him a lot of weight. The ground is a little bit of an unknown, but there are thunderstorms forecast. Either way, worst case scenario is it will be lovely ground because it always is at Sandown."

Mark Johnston's Dream Today and Sir Michael Stoute's Gabr are others with classy form to their name.

Man On The Spot verdict:

WITHOUT PAROLE is a half-brother to high-class miler Tamarkuz. The Frankel colt has only won a couple of novice events so far but had the proverbial ton in hand on both occasions. He has an entry in next month’s St James’ Palace Stakes and will need to win this to take his place in that line-up. Gabr wasn’t disgraced behind Saxon Warrior and Roaring Lion in the Racing Post Trophy on his final start last year and that is probably the best form on offer. He’ll be thereabouts if fully wound-up and Sir Michael Stoute also saddles the once-raced Regal Reality, who runs in the same colours as Glendevon. Stephensons Rocket pulled too hard on his reappearance over 1m2f so it’s no surprise to see him back over a mile. He remains a colt of some potential and Hugo Palmer immediately raises Silver Quartz in class after a wide-margin win at Windsor. Dream Today beat Gabr on debut at York last year and kept good company after so can’t be ignored.

National Stakes - View from connections

Also on the card is the Listed Matchbook-sponsored National Stakes. Nine speedy juveniles will line up, with Richard Hannon's Chester winner Wedding Date and Clive Cox's Koncheck among the fancied runners.

Michael Bell runs Artair, third on debut to Blown By Wind, whom he meets again. and a winner last time out from Usain Boat who has won since.

"The formlines are all solid and this looks the right race for him," said Bell. "He's got a good draw (two), luckily, which can be significant at Sandown. Both his races to date have been on soft ground. While I don't think he'll ever want it rattling fast, on rising ground like it is at Sandown, he'll be fine."

Man On The Spot verdict:

This Listed race has provided rich pickings for the Hannon yard down the years so easy Chester winner Wedding Date will be popular with Ryan Moore taking the reins. Blown By Wind made amends for a shock defeat on his second start at Windsor by making all at Ascot but a high draw has not done him any favours. Konchek justified market support at Newmarket and was going away at the finish but the second was well beaten next time. Tim Easterby wouldn’t have sent VINTAGE BRUT down south for this without good reason. He thumped a subsequent winner by seven lengths on his debut at Thirsk and has the plum draw – this stiff track should be ideal. Kinks hasn’t done much wrong so far but this is a big step up for Artair and Sabre.

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