13:50 Sandown

Friday 27 April 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:0516:3517:05

bet365 Esher Cup Handicap

Off time: 13:52 | Winning time: 1m 45.16s

(2)

Vintager¹⁸¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: K Shoemark| T: D Menuisier| OR: 99

6/1

Defied odds of 33-1 when winning a Newmarket maiden on debut and ran respectably in Group 3 company on next two starts. Interesting to see how he fares on reappearance in handicap company.

Form: 155-

(9)

Kings Shield²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 96| D

15/8

Odds-on winner of both starts on the AW at Newcastle last year and Kempton on his return to action. Impossible to gauge how good he is, but may well have got in lightly on his first start in a handicap.

Form: 1-1

(3)

Chookie Dunedin²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Connor Beasley| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 91

16/1

Ayr winner on debut last season and was not disgraced in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Not so good afterwards and reappearance third at Musselburgh was only a fair effort. Looks vulnerable against a few of these rivals.

Form: 1070-3

(6)

Dream Warrior¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 89| BF

13/2

Shed his maiden tag at Chantilly in the autumn and was sent off at even money when only fifth of 10 in a recent novice event at Lingfield. Stable in form, but he needs to take a step forward to win such a competitive handicap.

Form: 331-5

(1)

Lawn Ranger²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Kieren Fox| T: M J Attwater| OR: 89| D

16/1

Good efforts on all four starts on the AW, including when third to Kings Shield on his latest outing at Kempton. Gets a 7lb pull for a 2¼L beating and is entitled to get closer.

Form: 1-223

(4)

Motown Mick⁸³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: R L Moore| T: R Hannon| OR: 89| D

12/1

Progressive during his juvenile campaign in which he won three nurseries. Just edged out off this rating at Kempton last time and is respected back on turf.

Form: 1231-22

(5)

Merlin Magic¹⁸¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: S De Sousa| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 88| D

4/1

Landed a Nottingham maiden in October and was flying too high when well held in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster on only other start. Looks fairly treated on handicap debut.

Form: 32519-

(8)

Regular Income⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: J Quinn| T: A West| OR: 80| D

9/1

Signed off his juvenile campaign with victory in a Nottingham nursery. Did not get the best of runs and was eased on his return to the racecourse at Ripon last week and is capable of better.

Form: 35341-5

Non-Runners

(7)

Desert Wind⁶⁶

Weight: 8-11| Age: 3

T: E F Vaughan J: S Donohoe

Forecasts

Kings Shield (15/8), Merlin Magic (4/1), Vintager (6/1), Dream Warrior (13/2), Desert Wind (8/1), Regular Income (9/1), Motown Mick (12/1), Lawn Ranger (16/1), Chookie Dunedin (16/1)

Top-weight Vintager has untapped potential and may be able to get involved, a remark which also applies to fellow handicap debutants Merlin Magic and Desert Wind. Dream Warrior is respected with his stable in such fine fettle, but the vote goes the unexposed KINGS SHIELD, who could be much better than this opening handicap mark and can confirm Kempton form with Lawn Ranger. The consistent Motown Mick and bottom-weight Regular Income also have claims.