Sandown Saturday reports, reaction and free video replays

Improving Life stays unbeaten

Ralph Beckett has an interesting prospect on his hands in the shape of Secret Of Life who stretched her unbeaten record to three races with an all-the-way success in the Coral Distaff.

Rossa Ryan's mount never looked in danger of defeat for the entire straight at Sandown, taking a decisive advantage two furlongs out and staying on all the way to the line to beat Silencia by two-and-three-quarter lengths.

Beckett said: "She's a smart filly we think and she's a big girl who we've had to mind a little bit. She won her maiden and then ran into a little glitch so we've had to wait for this year and it's only really in the last three weeks she's properly filled her frame.

"She's uncomplicated and we didn't plan on making the running but they let Rossa walk the dog as the Australians and Americans say and that helped.

"She was the best filly on the day I'm sure and we'll now have a think about what we do next. The owners won the Oak Tree at Goodwood last year with Saqqara Sands but I don't think going back to seven round Goodwood would suit this filly, she's a big old girl and might even get further than this. We'll work back from the autumn but it's a nice problem to have, she's a smart filly."

Cards fall right for Indalo

After a string of near-misses, Indalo finally won the valuable pot his consistency deserved in the Coral Challenge.

Second in the Cambridgeshire last season and fourth when winning the race on his side in the Hunt Cup last time, Roger Varian's charge timed things perfection on Saturday.

Sent off the 9/4 favourite he knuckled down well in the closing stages to get the better of Hard Endeavor (7/1) by half-a-length, the pair pulling a length-and-a-half clear of Ebts Guard (7/1) in third.

The winning trainer said: "I'm so pleased to get him to win a race like this as he has a lovely team of owners and when you go close in a Cambridgeshire and close in a Hunt Cup you can't say he hasn't deserved one. We've had a few plans and nearly pulled them off, but thankfully we've won this one.

"He's very talented and very consistent and he looked a bit awkward in the straight but I think it was just a case of finding a bit of room and keeping momentum up at the same time.

"He's probably the most genuine horse in training, but he's not the easiest at home and with a slow to medium canter he always wants to go a stride quicker. His rider at home does a great job at keeping him in check.

"I think he's in the mile handicap at Goodwood and then we could look at the Cambridgeshire again later in the year. I just hope he keeps progressing as this time last year he was winning a class four here so he's come a long way in 12 months. He's a lovely horse and hopefully there's some more big days in him."

Star shines again in Charge

Rumstar recorded back-to-back victories in the Coral Charge with a comfortable success in Saturday’s renewal.

Rob Hornby always looked comfortable aboard the 10/3 winner who made his challenge approaching the furlong pole and ran on strongly to score by a length from Luna A Inbhir Mis and Partisan Hero.

Disappointment of the race was 9/4 favourite Asfoora who raced in last under Oisin Murphy and failed to pass a single rival.

Paddy Power and Sky Bet halved the winner in price to 7/1 for the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood, his next intended target.

Winning trainer Jonathan Portman said: "This gives me a lot of satisfaction as it's so competitive this game and there's a thin line between winning and losing. When you're losing no one is interested but when you win it oils the wheels and it's important, winning is everything.

"He was great on his return at Newmarket and everyone was telling me he had a great chance at Royal Ascot but he only beat home one horse so we were a bit deflated. We were drawn low and that might not have been the place to be. I think with these sprinters you've just got to wait for your turn and keep rolling the dice.

"This race was always on our minds having won it last year and he's good in Group Three company. We get excited and spend all this money entering in Group Ones and seem to always get left with egg on our face but he's put a bit of money back in the kitty here.

"We'll go to Goodwood (King George Stakes) now and then York (Nunthorpe Stakes), he's entered in everything and we're enjoying the ride. We love him and he's great."

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