16:05 Sandown

Friday 6 July 2018

All13:2013:5014:2515:0015:3016:0516:4017:15

Besso Handicap

Off time: 16:07 | Winning time: 2m 6.12s

(5)

Pivoine^v²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 98| CD

7/2

Impressive 6L C&D winner in handicap company last time out and nothing wrong with a 10lb rise for that success. Only his third start for this yard and may be capable of more progress. The one to beat.

Form: 411-071

(7)

Nayel^p¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Hannon| OR: 98| D

20/1

Won his first two races of the campaign. Too keen to do himself justice at Royal Ascot last time out but not without each-way claims if he can bounce back from that effort.

Form: 979-110

(1)

Not So Sleepy^h,t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: A Kirby| T: H Morrison| OR: 97| D

12/1

Running well in defeat this year and not beaten all that far when fourth at Epsom last time out. The concern would be that all his form has come on softer ground than what's likely here.

Form: 58-6034

(2)

Alfarris^p¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 93| D

7/2

Progressive sort who gained a third career success at Chelmsford last time out. Runner-up has franked the form and may be able to come on for that run. Interesting contender from just 6lb higher.

Form: 12414-1

(8)

Melting Dew¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 93| D

3/1

Returned to form with a narrow margin success at Chelmsford last time out. 3lb rise and yet to win from eight starts on turf but he's run well in defeat on several occasions and he's the type the yard do well with. Likely there's more to come.

Form: 6220-41

(3)

Alternative Fact¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Spencer| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 98

14/1

Improved from debut to win at Salisbury and placed in Listed class on final start of 2017. Never a factor at Royal Ascot last month and with his career so far split between France and the UK, there's a suspicion he may want softer conditions here.

Form: 212-68

(9)

King's Proctor¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: David Egan| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 93

6/1

Has not won since his maiden success but has run some creditable races in defeat. Out of his depth in Group company at Royal Ascot last time but respected down in Group class.

Form: 1-22329

(4)

Bathsheba Bay^t1²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Hollie Doyle| T: R Hannon| OR: 86| C

7/1

Won on final start of 2017 over 7f here but has been well below form on two runs this time around and has a bit to prove at present. Wears a first-time tongue-tie.

Form: 5221-49

Non-Runners

(6)

Blue Laureate²⁰

Weight: 8-3| Age: 3

T: Ian Williams J: M Dwyer

Forecasts

Melting Dew (3/1), Alfarris (7/2), Pivoine (7/2), King's Proctor (6/1), Bathsheba Bay (7/1), Not So Sleepy (12/1), Alternative Fact (14/1), Blue Laureate (16/1), Nayel (20/1)

There's plenty to like about PIVOINE after an impressive course and distance success last time out and a 10lb rise for that looks perfectly fair given the manner of the win. Alfarris is another last time out winner who would appear to be returning on a workable handicap mark and Melting Dew isn't ruled out after a winning return at Chelmsford last time.