17:45 Sandown
Wednesday 2 August 2017
All17:4518:2018:5519:2519:5520:25
racinguk.com Apprentice Handicap
- 3YO only  |  Class 5  |  1m  |  Good to Soft (Soft in places)  |  11 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 17:45Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 1m 49.47s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Now a ten-race maiden, having finished 3L last of four at Leicester (good) a fortnight ago, drops in grade once more but hard to have much confidence in his chance despite trainer being at 17% strike rate recently.
Off the mark over a mile at Salisbury in June, just clinging on, since proved one-paced at Epsom last month having been raised 5lb. Runs off the same mark here and needs thing to fall into place perfectly.
Front-runner with just three runs on turf, taking second at both Leicester and Epsom most recently over this sort of trip. Seems to go on any ground and she could be dangerous in this environment if gaining a soft advantage.
Three-time AW winner, all over 7f, beaten 7L in third of ten over same trip here (good) last month on return to turf and has to prove he's as effective on this surface.
Nothing of note in five-race career to date, does get some relief from handicapper now on return from 201 days off for just a second turf start, worth a market check.
Unplaced in seven starts so far, beaten more than 12L over 7f at this track last month, needs first-time cheekpieces to bring about sizeable chunk of improvement to have any say.
Sent off at big prices in all three maidens over 1m2f and never threatened an upset, looked like one headed for handicaps and no shock if he's he able to do more now.
Won his previous two on turf, both over the mile at Brighton, defying 6lb penalty to do so 22 days ago with gritty success. Up another 4lb for that win but expected to be on the premises again.
Seven-race maiden whose best effort came in penultimate start over 7f on good to firm going at Lingfield. Didn't build on that since at Epsom on softer going and remains a bit of a conundrum for punters as such.
Drop back in trip brought positive reaction last time when taking a never-dangerous third over extended mile at Nottingham (good to soft). Up in grade again here but not to be overlooked too quickly.
Mostly suffered hefty defeat in six-race career to date, going off big prices each time. Is 3lb out of the handicap here and unlikely to buck the trend.
Non-Runners
7
(8)
Damo180
Weight: 9-2|Â Â Age: 3
T: S Dow  J: Jack Duern
NR
Forecasts
Luxford (11/4), Sandy Shores (11/2), Ashazuri (6/1), Lesanti (7/1), Born To Please (8/1), Dragon Dream (8/1), Noble Ballad (8/1), Armagnac (8/1), Junoesque (16/1), Damo (16/1), Desert Song (25/1), Shamonix (33/1)
Luxford is the obvious starting point coming here in search of a turf hat-trick. He was game to record his second Brighton success last time out but has gone up another 4lb as a result and might just struggle to keep the winning run in tact. That could prove true if SANDY SHORES gets her way in front again. Runner-up in her previous two, Brian Meehan's charge could be very dangerous if getting a soft advantage in this apprentice contest and is taken to open her account here. Born To Please was much better last time when dropped to this sort of trip and can go well once more while Ashazuri looks most likely of the remainder ahead of Armagnac.
- Sandy Shores
- Luxford
- Born To Please
Prize Money
1st: £3,881.002nd: £1,155.003rd: £577.004th: £289.00
MOST READ RACING
Follow & Track
Your favourite horses, jockeys and trainers with My StableLog in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefits
