19:00 Sandown

Thursday 7 June 2018

All17:5518:2519:0019:3520:0520:40

Smarkets Handicap

Off time: 19:01 | Winning time: 1m 41.58s

(5)

Bombastic¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Shepherd| T: E De Giles| OR: 85| D

4/1

Improved on reappearance run to win gamely when making all at Haydock (1m, good to soft) two weeks ago. Nudged up 4lbs for that and every chance there is more to come, although won't be as easy to dominate here.

Form: 2324-61

(12)

Elysium Dream³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 85

25/1

Won a valuable sales event at Newmarket last season. Struggled in a couple of Listed events after that. Struggled on heavy ground on reappearance at Salisbury (6f) and likely to strip fitter now. Still has scope for improvement off this mark.

Form: 36177-5

(4)

Kassar³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: K Shoemark| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 84| D

9/2

Well related sort who knew his job on debut despite starting at 33/1 and won quite nicely. Looked in need of the run at WIndsor (1m, good to firm) on reappearance and should come on for that. Makes handicap debut off a realistic mark and a player.

Form: 16-4

(8)

Zalshah²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 84

25/1

Yet to win in 11 tries on turf and was well beaten at Ascot (1m good to firm) last month. Only dropped 1lb for that and is likely to find this tough going once more.

Form: 8213-30

(3)

King Of The Sand⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: G & J Moore| OR: 84| BF| D

14/1

Won final of three starts as a two-year-old at Brighton. Sent off a well backed favourite for reappearance at Epsom (1m½f, good) but weakened after making the running. This mark asks a question on handicap debut but should come on for that run.

Form: 321-3

(2)

George Villiers²¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: James Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 81

11/8

Beaten favourite on first two starts last year but battled really well to win on final start at kempton (7f, AW). Moves up in trip for handicap debut today and this son of Dubawi carries significant potential off this mark for his powerful yard.

Form: 341-

(10)

Cuban Heel^b1¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 79

9/1

Went close at Epsom on reappearance before disppaoiting effort at Goodwood (1m1f, good to firm) last time when leading and folding quickly. Blinkers go on for the first time and Adam Kirby back on board but much more needed in this deeper race.

Form: 2342-26

(6)

Jazeel¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: P J Dobbs| T: M R Channon| OR: 79| D

16/1

Couple of excuses for the first two efforts this year but failed to spark at Doncaster (1m good to firm) on last start when attempting to make all the running. Dropped another 3lb but starting to look a touch exposed. Others preferred.

Form: 822-677

(1)

Danceteria⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Fran Berry| T: D Menuisier| OR: 77

16/1

Form of runs last year does not look particularity strong. Struggled on handicap debut at Newmarket (1m2f, good) when shaping like the run was needed. Drop back in trip looks a good idea but needs to improve somewhat to take a hand today.

Form: 634-9

(7)

Trumps Up¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: J F Egan| T: M R Channon| OR: 72| D

25/1

Won first two starts as a juvenile and and likes to race up with the pace. Shaped at Kempton (1m, AW) that he is not far off peaking and gets in here off a light weight. Not dismissed in an open contest.

Form: 114-85

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to board prices only - deduction 15p in the pound

Non-Runners

(11)

Mashaheer¹⁶

Weight: 9-1| Age: 3

T: W J Haggas J: Jim Crowley

(9)

Yorbelucky²⁶³

Weight: 8-13| Age: 3

T: P D Evans J: P J McDonald

Forecasts

George Villiers (11/8), Bombastic (4/1), Mashaheer (4/1), Kassar (9/2), Yorbelucky (8/1), Cuban Heel (9/1), King Of The Sand (14/1), Danceteria (16/1), Jazeel (16/1), Zalshah (25/1), Elysium Dream (25/1), Trumps Up (25/1)

A really good looking handicap. Mashaheer won well at Nottingham and is respected. Elysium Dream and Kassar both have potential to be better than their marks and are very much respected. Preference is for GEORGE VILLIERS who carries significant potential now going up in trip in handicaps.