17:20 Sandown

Saturday 1 September 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Read Silvestre De Sousa At 188Bet Handicap

Off time: 17:21 | Winning time: 2m 10.34s

(8)

Road To Dubai¹³³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: Jessica Cooley⁽⁷⁾| T: George Scott| OR: 87| D

16/1

Ended previous campaign with a pair of wins over this trip, and shaped well on reappearance at Wolverhampton in March. Below form at Newbury following month, though, and gelded since. Market should give an indication of expectations.

Form: 4411-40

(1)

Dream Machine⁸²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: J P Spencer| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 84| D

8/1

Made a winning debut for this yard in a 1¼m contest at Windsor in May, and had excuses when well beaten there the following month. Absence since June is a concern, but jockey booking bolsters confidence.

Form: 2313-15

(4)

Compton Mill²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: S De Sousa| T: H Morrison| OR: 82| CD

5/2

Had hinted at a revival prior to scoring in an amateur riders' event over C&D last month, but came in for a fine tactical ride and had little to spare. Handicapper been fair to him with a 2lb rise, so he can't be ruled out.

Form: 6-64431

(3)

Man Of Harlech^p¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Charlie Bennett| T: J R Boyle| OR: 82| D

16/1

Seen to maximum effect when winning in first-time cheekpieces at Lingfield in May, and found out by higher marks since, although he was also too free at Windsor last time. Vulnerable again.

Form: 403135

(7)

Dark Pearl³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Liam Keniry| T: E Walker| OR: 82

5/2

Has twice run creditably over 1¾m here this summer, but disappointed at Ascot last time, and debatable whether drop to this trip will be of benefit.

Form: 37-5236

(5)

Tomahawk Kid²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Fran Berry| T: Ian Williams| OR: 81| D

11/1

Best on good ground or softer, so best to ignore his latest run at Newmarket, and had run well when runner-up off a higher mark at Leicester in May. One to bear in mind.

Form: 519-257

(6)

Dive For Gold^b1³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 85| D

9/2

Salisbury novice winner (1¼m, good to firm) on his second start in May. Improved on that under a penalty at Chelmsford, but stopped quickly on handicap bow at Newbury. Blinkers reached for now, and still early days.

Form: 0127

(2)

Zamperini³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Nicola Currie⁽³⁾| T: M Murphy| OR: 67| CD

12/1

C&D winner who has so far failed to fire this season; starting to look increasingly quirky (usually slow away). Handicapper has dropped him 5lb since latest below-par run here, but hard to back with confidence.

Form: 28-9856

(9)

Bluff Crag⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Rob Hornby| T: P J McBride| OR: 67

20/1

Has dropped below his last winning mark, but was disappointing on return from a short break at Kempton last time, and needs to step up on that if he's to play a part.

Form: 553659

Forecasts

Dark Pearl (5/2), Compton Mill (5/2), Dive For Gold (9/2), Dream Machine (8/1), Tomahawk Kid (11/1), Zamperini (12/1), Road To Dubai (16/1), Man Of Harlech (16/1), Bluff Crag (20/1)

TOMAHAWK KID will appreciate the predicted ease in the ground, and is best not judged on his latest effort at Newmarket, so makes appeal at what should be a fair price. Compton Mill has gone up 2lb for a recent C&D win, and should remain competitive, with Dream Machine also worth a second look for his in-form stable having had excuses when last seen.