15:25 Haydock

Saturday 26 May 2018

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:4518:15

Armstrong Aggregates Sandy Lane Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:28 | Winning time: 1m 9.53s

(5)

Barraquero²⁹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: B J Meehan| OR: 111| D

14/1

Progressive as a juvenile, winning the Group 2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood (6f, soft) on his third and final start. Returns after a shin injury, so racing on fast ground for the first time is a slight concern, but is entitled to plenty of respect.

Form: 311-

(4)

Emblazoned¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 95| D

8/1

Did not race at two but has made up for lost time. Was 1½L behind Qaysar (runs in 2.15) on debut and has since won at Lingfield and Yarmouth (6f, good to firm). Top stable not given to tilting at windmills, so respected despite what the ratings say.

Form: 211

(7)

Invincible Army²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: J Tate| OR: 111| D

5/2

Dual Group 3 winner over this trip and was beaten just ¾L in a Group 2 last season. Acts on good to firm and reappearance effort was another step forward. Decent claims here and will be tough to beat.

Form: 42212-1

(8)

James Garfield²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: George Scott| OR: 112| D

7/2

Group 2 winner at Newbury (6f, good) last year and returned there to pick up a Group 3 (7f) last month. Not disgraced when stepped up to 1m in the 2,000 Guineas last time, but this trip probably more like it, has won on good to firm and has claims.

Form: 4210-17

(6)

Sands Of Mali⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 116| D

10/3

Decisive winner of last year's Group 2 Gimcrack (6f, good) at York. Returned in similar form at Chantilly (6f, heavy) last month, when adding a Group 3. Further improvement looks probable and he should be thereabouts again if handling fast ground.

Form: 71109-1

(3)

Unfortunately^v²³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: P J McDonald| T: K R Burke| OR: 116| D

16/1

Won the Group 1 Prix Morny (6f, good) at Chantilly in August, though below that level when last seen in the Middle Park in September. Class act at his best but whether he can produce that on his first start of the season remains to be seen.

Form: 122119-

(1)

Actress¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 102| D

28/1

Irish Group 3 winner (6½f, good to firm) last July and bettered than when 2L second in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes next time. Has been well below that level in three subsequent starts, however, and arrives with a fair bit to prove now.

Form: 2139-05

(2)

Heartache²⁵³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: M Harley| T: C G Cox| OR: 111

6/1

Dual Group 2 winner over 5f last season, including on fast ground. Style of running suggests that she can take this extra furlong in her stride. Goes well when fresh and looks to have plenty going for her.

Form: 1131-

Forecasts

Invincible Army (5/2), Sands Of Mali (10/3), James Garfield (7/2), Heartache (6/1), Emblazoned (8/1), Barraquero (14/1), Unfortunately (16/1), Actress (28/1)

A cracking contest in prospect and HEARTACHE may be the answer. Clive Cox trained last year's winner, Harry Angel, and while she may not necessarily go on to achieve what he has done, she looks well worth her place in this line-up, could improve a bit for the extra furlong, and her fillies' allowance is also a plus. Invincible Army looks a real threat in opposition, with Sands Of Mali and Unfortunately both feared and James Garfield another not ruled out.