15:50 Sandown

Friday 31 August 2018

All13:4014:1014:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Best Odds Guaranteed At 188Bet Handicap

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 1m 45.46s

(9)

Wafy⁹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Jim Crowley| T: C Hills| OR: 91| BF| C

7/2

Far from disgraced in Sandown Classic Trial behind Sevenna Star in April, and improved further when third of 15 to National Army in 1m minor event at Doncaster in June. Not seen since, but that form is working out well.

Form: 017-63

(8)

George¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: S Kirk| OR: 89| D

8/1

Tactically versatile, making all to score at Chelmsford last month and following up under a contrasting ride at Salsibury last time. Thriving at present, and latest run franked by recent wins for the placed horses.

Form: 614511

(3)

Global Conqueror⁵⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 89| D

3/1

Didn't need to improve to land a 1m maiden at Leicester in June, but took a jump forward when following up at Chelmsford on latest start. Dangerous to assume he's better on AW, and needs respect again.

Form: 22-5211

(4)

Mushtaq²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: R Hannon| OR: 89| D

13/2

Has progressed a little to land his last two races in handicaps by narrow margins, digging deep to hold on in a photo at Windsor last time from George Villiers. Creeping up the weights, but attitude will stand him in good stead.

Form: 1-33211

(1)

Mr Top Hat³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Gabriele Malune⁽⁵⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 89

7/1

Deserves plenty of credit for latest second to Espere at Galway having been hampered by the useful winner, but that took his record in handicaps to 0-8, and he remains vulnerable for win purposes.

Form: 263232

(5)

The Emperor Within³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Josephine Gordon| T: Martin Smith| OR: 88| D

14/1

Building up a solid profile since stepping up in trip, and ran well when 1L second of 6 to Metatrons Cube in 1¼m handicap at Windsor last time. Drops back in distance, but stiff track compensates, and he is not fully exposed.

Form: 8-41522

(2)

Statuario³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 88| D

9/1

Won in heavy ground at Chepstow in May, and back to that form when 4¾L third behind History Writer over C&D last time. That run suggests he's still a shade too high in the weights, though.

Form: 97-1003

(6)

Plunger³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R Havlin| T: P & O Cole| OR: 84

12/1

Debatable whether blinkers were a help when he finished a creditable sixth of 14 over 7f at Ascot in July, and back to winning ways at Leicester minus the headgear last time. Gelded since, and has stamina to prove for new trip.

Form: 12-3661

(7)

Lord Vetinari³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 82| BF| D

14/1

Won back-to-back handicaps at Goodwood and Chester in June, and presumably not right when last of 7 at latter track following month. Should bounce back, but no easy task at this level.

Form: 240117

Forecasts

Global Conqueror (3/1), Wafy (7/2), Mushtaq (13/2), Mr Top Hat (7/1), George (8/1), Statuario (9/1), Plunger (12/1), The Emperor Within (14/1), Lord Vetinari (14/1)

GEORGE may look more exposed that most but he's thriving at the moment and had two subsequent winners behind when scoring at Salisbury last time, suggesting his new mark is more than fair. Wafy could be well treated based on how well his latest third at Doncaster has worked out, and is feared despite an absence, with hat-trick seekers Mushtaq and Global Conqueror also shortlisted in a warm-looking contest.