19:35 Sandown

Thursday 24 May 2018

All18:0018:3519:0519:3520:1020:40

Matchbook VIP Henry II Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 19:36 | Winning time: 3m 41.09s

(2)

Magic Circle¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Fran Berry| T: Ian Williams| OR: 109| D

11/2

Made easy work of the Chester Cup last time out when winning by 6L, staying on strongly in the closing stages. Has his first run at pattern level but well deserved and he has each-way claims here.

Form: 57150-1

(4)

Montaly²²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 113| D

20/1

Group 2 winner at York last year later, following up his Chester Cup win earlier in the campaign. Struggled at pattern level since though and possible he wants a bit more cut in the ground than what's likely here.

Form: 12167-4

(1)

Red Verdon¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 108

20/1

While he was no match for the winner in a Group 2 at Newmarket last time out, he beat the rest well enough and he's effective when he settles in his races, as seen when runner-up in a Group 1 as a three-year-old. Each-way claims here.

Form: 321-142

(7)

Sheikhzayedroad^h⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: M Harley| T: D M Simcock| OR: 113| D

6/1

US Grade 1 winner and three-time Group 2 winner who produced close to a career best behind smart French stayer Vazirabad at Meydan last time. Not an easy ride and needs everything to drop right but he warrants plenty of respect down in class here.

Form: 7437-32

(3)

Glencadam Glory^h¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 108

12/1

Got his head back in front at Wolverhampton on return but well beaten fifth of six at Ascot earlier this month. Improvement possible stepped up in trip but Dettori prefers stablemate Weekender.

Form: 5295-15

(6)

Mount Moriah³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 106

7/2

Finished a distant third to a top-class stayer in last year's Irish St Leger and returned with a Listed win at Nottingham last month. Yard do well with their stayers and he's respected back up in trip here.

Form: 13354-1

(5)

Time To Study¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 108| BF

7/1

Improving sort and consistent. Didn't settle in the Chester Cup last time out but he's better than that and could be hard to catch if gifted an easy lead with Moore in the saddle.

Form: 101-225

(8)

Weekender¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 114

9/4

Improving sort who returned with a win at Chelmsford last time and did that relatively easily. Plenty more on his plate here but likely to improve up in trip and he's less exposed than most.

Form: 1312D-1

Forecasts

Weekender (9/4), Mount Moriah (7/2), Magic Circle (11/2), Sheikhzayedroad (6/1), Time To Study (7/1), Glencadam Glory (12/1), Red Verdon (20/1), Montaly (20/1)

SHEIKHZAYEDROAD has been in fine form in Dubai this winter and assuming he gets the strong pace that looks likely, he's taken to go one better than his excellent second in the Dubai Gold Cup last time. Weekender looks like an exciting prospect for John Gosden while Time To Study could be dangerous to gift an easy lead to and may not be done progressing yet.