Free horse racing selections for Thursday May 23
It's Brigadier Gerard Stakes day at Sandown and Anita Chambers reckons the master Sir Michael Stoute will win the big one.
NAP: Regal Reality (7.35 Sandown)
Next Best: Dee Ex Bee (7.05 Sandown)
Regal Reality can take a step up in trip in his stride when he contests the Matchbook Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown.
The four-year-old has only been tried up to a mile so far and actually lined up on this same card last year, finishing down the field in the Heron Stakes.
He bounced back from that defeat to win a Group Three heat at Goodwood, before finding Here Comes When too good on very testing ground at Haydock and having to settle for third behind subsequent Group One winner Mustashry on his final start of 2018.
The current campaign did not get off to the best of starts as he claimed third over a mile at Sandown - but plenty conspired against him that day, including a slow start, a steady pace and a lost shoe.
He shaped as though a step up to 10 furlongs could bring about a bit of progression on that occasion, and his pedigree certainly suggests that too.
Sir Michael Stoute has 10 wins in this Group Three heat to his name, and the conditions of the race put Regal Reality in prime position to notch up an 11th.
Dee Ex Bee looked as though he might be the one to trouble Stradivarius for the stayers' crown, judged on his return at Ascot earlier this month.
He impressed with his Sagaro success, overcoming a mid-race flat spot to stride clear in the final couple of furlongs and triumph by just over three lengths in style.
Dee Ex Bee is hard to side against in the Matchbook VIP Henry II Stakes on that basis.
His fellow Mark Johnston inmate Dark Vision can also take some cash back to Middleham via the Matchbook Low Commission Exchange Heron Stakes.
He was outclassed in the 2000 Guineas, but remains of interest back at Listed level.
Proper Beau is the pick in the Matchbook Betting Podcast National Stakes after a debut win at Musselburgh.
Listed honours are also on offer at Goodwood, with Shambolic the choice of two runners for John Gosden in the Height Of Fashion Stakes.
Frankie Dettori has plumped for this filly after she was beaten by leading Oaks candidate Maqsad in the Pretty Polly at Newmarket last time out.
Star Of Bengal can also strike for the yard in the Bet In Play At totesport.com Handicap at Chelmsford.
A 10-length winner of a Wolverhampton maiden, he looks a horse on the upgrade.
Toriano can lift the Sky Sports Racing On Sky 415 Claiming Stakes at Lingfield, while Bettys Hope may make it third time lucky in the Chepstow Plant International Fillies' Novice Stakes at Chepstow, after finishing second on each of her three starts to date.
Sporting Life tips
CHELMSFORD: 5.50 Always Amazing, 6.20 Lothario, 6.55 Search For Light, 7.25 Global Art, 7.55 Star Of Bengal, 8.30 Sea Shack, 9.00 Atalanta Queen.
CHEPSTOW: 1.50 He's Our Star, 2.25 Jungle Juice, 3.00 Bettys Hope, 3.35 Nubough, 4.10 Fire Diamond, 4.45 Goscote, 5.20 Winged Spur.
GOODWOOD: 2.00 Wild Thunder, 2.35 Game Player, 3.00 Hulcote, 3.45 Wedding Blue, 4.20 Shambolic, 4.55 If At Sea, 5.30 Hic Bibi.
LINGFIELD: 1.40 Seaborn, 2.15 Lawn Ranger, 2.50 Zahraani, 3.25 Toriano, 4.00 Baalbek, 4.35 Javelin, 5.10 Grandfather Tom.
SANDOWN: 6.00 Cogital, 6.35 Proper Beau, 7.05 Dee Ex Bee, 7.35 REGAL REALITY (NAP), 8.10 Dark Vision, 8.40 War Glory.
TIPPPERARY: 5.05 Stronghold, 5.40 Jessamine, 6.10 Dona Katharina, 6.45 Bay Hill, 7.15 Stacks Mountain, 7.45 The Longest Time, 8.20 Botani.
DOUBLE: Regal Reality and Dee Ex Bee.
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