15:50 Sandown

Saturday 17 June 2017

All14:1014:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

Randox Health Handicap

Off time: 15:52 | Winning time: 1m 42.69s

(10)

Laidback Romeo²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 97| CD

4/1

C&D winner last year who improved again to win again over C&D last time out completing a hat-trick off a mark of 92 and now comes here off a new career high mark. May still do better and improve again (could be hard for the handicapper to get hold of) and deserves to remain of interest here.

Form: 4/7211-1

(1)

Sir Roderic²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: W Buick| T: B R Millman| OR: 95| CD

8/1

Very progressive handicapper in 2016 (won five times) including twice over C&D and looked to be getting back on track with a third to Laidback Romeo last time out. Travelled really well on his last start although he may well be better back over 7f (won sole handicap at that trip) and worth keeping in mind for handicaps.

Form: 290-003

(2)

Greenside²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: R L Moore| T: H Candy| OR: 94| D

13/8

A handicap winner at Newmarket last year he split Laidback Romeo and Sir Roderic last time out over C&D. Maybe didn't get the best run through last time but looks to have the ability to win a race off this mark although he may well be better on a straight track (both wins at Newmarket).

Form: 118/41-2

(11)

General Macarthur^t⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: George Buckell⁽⁵⁾| T: D M Simcock| OR: 93| D

33/1

Trained in Ireland last year when he won just one race a minor event at Navan but has shown little on his first three runs for this yard including twice at Meydan. Now returns on turf for the first time since last year when he made his handicap debut off 102.

Form: 780-975

(8)

Home Cummins^p¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Adam J McNamara⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 92| D

12/1

York winner last year (has a good record there) over a mile off a mark of 87 but has been beaten off higher marks since. Ran her best race of the year last time out at Epsom showing that she retains all her ability but remains 5lb above her last winning mark.

Form: 523-003

(5)

Taurean Star³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: J P Spencer| T: M L W Bell| OR: 91| D

8/1

Likes to come from off the pace which can be a hard trick to pull off on this track. Appears to go well fresh and made a winning reappearance at Yarmouth over a mile but failed to back that up for the second year running. This is a slightly easier task but always doubts about him building on his initial run.

Form: 9355-10

(4)

Glory Awaits^b³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: S Donohoe| T: D M Simcock| OR: 90| D

33/1

Looks to be struggling a little for form at the moment and his form has become rather unreliable of late. Handicapper isn't cutting him much slack and may need some help in that direction.

Form: 0628-80

(6)

Alejandro^e/s1²³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: S W Kelly| T: D Loughnane| OR: 90| D

33/1

Relatively consistent sort although he was on a long losing run until winning at Kempton Park on the AW recently but did strike again at Beverley recently (ridden more conservatively than usual). Back to his usual tactics last time out (ran too free) and behind three of today's rivals and work to do with them.

Form: 137716

(7)

The Warrior^v⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Gavin Lerena| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 90| D

20/1

Creeping up the weights without winning and despite a win on the AW at Kempton in March he looks a hard sort to win with. Often travels well and catches the eye but all too often the finishing effort is a disappointing one.

Form: 453825

(3)

Alnashama¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Dane O'Neill| T: C Hills| OR: 89| D

14/1

Completed a handicap hat-trick last year with his last win coming off a 7lb lower mark at Leicester. Consistent enough since then and in two runs this year although this mark may just prove beyond him.

Form: 1119-33

(9)

Palmerston¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Alistair Rawlinson⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 82| D

10/1

Back to form of late with a couple of runner-up slots being succeeded by a win last time out at Beverley where he showed far more resolution than the runner-up. Up just 2lb for that win but would need another career best to win this against some in-form types.

Form: 00-0221

Forecasts

Greenside (13/8), Laidback Romeo (4/1), Taurean Star (8/1), Sir Roderic (8/1), Palmerston (10/1), Home Cummins (12/1), Alnashama (14/1), The Warrior (20/1), Glory Awaits (33/1), General Macarthur (33/1), Alejandro (33/1)

The 1-2-3 from a race over C&D last month take each other on again here and there should be much between the three protagonists namely Laidback Romeo, GREENSIDE and Sir Roderic. The one in the middle of that duo didn’t quite get the run of the race last time out and may well be able to come out on top this time around with a clearer run although the other two are sure to make a bold bid. The Warrior is sure to catch the eye in-running but often promises more than he delivers and it may well be the consistent Alnashama and Palmerston that deliver the greater threat.