17:30 Sandown

Friday 14 September 2018

All14:1514:5015:2515:5516:3017:0017:30

Hwfa Williams Handicap

Off time: 17:32 | Winning time: 2m 11.29s

(8)

Wimpole Hall^p¹¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Josephine Gordon| T: W Jarvis| OR: 83| C| D

14/1

Remains a touch high in the weights at present but was given a tough ask when finishing last twice in tougher races. Has needed a run previously and best watched following a break.

Form: 3-15309

(1)

The Last Emperor^p1⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 87

7/4

Cost 230,000 gns as a yearling and made a winning debut last season. Yet to add to that in five starts since but has taken a step forward the last twice and is bred to appreciate this extra distance. Rates a leading contender.

Form: 125-422

(5)

Shadow Warrior¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Harry Bentley| T: P W D'Arcy| OR: 78| D

7/1

Back to last winning mark but has been disappointing in three runs since and would likely want quicker ground than this. Others appeal more.

Form: 331637

(4)

Zlatan¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Rob Hornby| T: E De Giles| OR: 77

4/1

Last win came in May of 2017 and remains a hard horse to win with and an awkward ride. However remarkably consistent and can be thereabouts again.

Form: 222274

(2)

Morning Has Broken²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: G Mosse| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 82

13/2

Won twice before moving into handicap company and has run to a similar level in three starts since. Plenty of stamina in her pedigree so could improve upped in distance.

Form: 5-11335

(6)

Astrologist¹¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: J P Spencer| T: C G Cox| OR: 78

7/2

Sea The Stars and a full-brother to Group 3 winner Raheen House. Plenty of promise when runner-up on his second start last year but well beaten on reappearance. Gelded since but improvement required on handicap debut.

Form: 82-7

Non-Runners

(3)

Zabeel Star¹⁴

Weight: 9-13| Age: 6

T: Karen McLintock J: Connor Beasley

(7)

Rhosneigr⁵

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: C Hills J: Non Runner

Forecasts

The Last Emperor (7/4), Astrologist (7/2), Zlatan (4/1), Morning Has Broken (13/2), Shadow Warrior (7/1), Zabeel Star (7/1), Rhosneigr (8/1), Wimpole Hall (14/1)

Older horses have a good record in this race but this year the three-year-olds really catch the eye. Morning Has Broken gets a much welcomed step up in trip based on her pedigree while THE LAST EMPEROR looks an improving type having just been run down over shorter the last twice. First-time headgear may help as he tries this trip again, which he's bred to suit. Zlatan is a quirky sort but does continue to race well and can place again.