13:40 Sandown

Wednesday 19 September 2018

All13:4014:1014:4015:1515:5016:2016:5517:25

Smarkets Handicap

Off time: 13:41 | Winning time: 1m 2.72s

(2)

Kasbah⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: J Mitchell| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 77| D

4/1

Poor turf record overall (one win from 23) but went very close at Bath latest when beaten a short head over 5f off this mark. Stiff 5f probably close to his ideal so plenty to be optimistic about here.

Form: 245432

(10)

Porto Ferro¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: K T O'Neill| T: J J Bridger| OR: 76| BF| D

14/1

Been in solid form overall winning three times this summer over 5f and 6f. Handicapper may have caught up with her off this career high based on latest fifth at Goodwood over 6f but 5f form overall is stronger so better is quite possible.

Form: 215215

(9)

Saaheq⁷^{(ex 6)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: L Morris| T: M Appleby| OR: 70| D

7/4

Lightly raced four-year-old returned from 389 day absence latest to win readily over this trip at Doncaster on debut for this yard. Runs under a 6lb penalty for that success but won with plenty in hand so big effort expected here.

Form: 0443-1

(5)

Three Little Birds¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Jason Watson⁽³⁾| T: S Kirk| OR: 75| D

11/1

Best form on AW until gaining first turf success at Bath last time out (5f, firm). 3lb rise for that win not overly harsh and stiff 5f here will suit but suspicion is that she needs rattling fast ground which is unlikely.

Form: 541221

(7)

Misty Spirit²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: S De Sousa| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 74

25/1

Lost her way after winning a Chelmsford (AW) handicap with two laboured efforts at the same venue subsequently. Has won on turf so reverting to that surface here no concern and notable that champion jockey is booked.

Form: 4-06186

(8)

Vimy Ridge^p,t³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Joshua Bryan⁽³⁾| T: A Bailey| OR: 70| D

25/1

Won twice last September at Windsor but form this season in five races all well below his current mark. Handicap continues to slide but hard to recommend at present.

Form: 8-76075

(1)

Belledesert^p,t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: R Ffrench| T: Steph Hollinshead| OR: 69

66/1

Over two years since she last won and latest effort after a break and a wind-op offered little encouragement (last of seven at Goodwood). Handicap now lowest since two-year-old days but others boast stronger claims.

Form: 296677

(3)

Operative⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Rob Hornby| T: E De Giles| OR: 69| BF| CD

3/1

Won this race a year ago as part of a September double. 5lb lower this time around after a less than inspiring season. Suspicion is that he still has it but often looks a difficult ride. Well handicapped enough to enter calculations.

Form: 755556

(4)

Storm Melody^p³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Charles Bishop| T: A Stronge| OR: 68

16/1

Only 1lb higher than June win at Chepstow (6f) after two poor runs subsequently. Starts out for new yard now but the big question mark here is a return to 5f for the first time since 2016.

Form: 8-09197

(11)

Roundabout Magic²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: S Dow| OR: 67| D

25/1

Well behind Porto Ferro penultimately before narrowly failing on heavy ground at Goodwood latest. Perhaps testing ground suits based on very limited evidence so any rain would be considered a bonus.

Form: 437382

(6)

Jonnysimpson⁴⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: William Cox⁽⁵⁾| T: L Carter| OR: 60| D

100/1

Won final two-year-old start on AW but not fired this season. Lingfield third after a break offered hope but flopped next at Wolverhampton so hard to be confident.

Form: 546537

Forecasts

Saaheq (7/4), Operative (3/1), Kasbah (4/1), Three Little Birds (11/1), Porto Ferro (14/1), Storm Melody (16/1), Vimy Ridge (25/1), Misty Spirit (25/1), Roundabout Magic (25/1), Belledesert (66/1), Jonnysimpson (100/1)

SAAHEQ was a most impressive winner at Doncaster and he is fancied to double up despite being turned out quickly under a 6lb penalty here. Kasbah was just touched off at Bath latest and has to be respected off the same mark. Operative won this race last year and is off a lower mark this time around although recent form isn't overly persuasive.