15:50 Sandown

Saturday 15 June 2019

All14:0514:3515:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

Randox Handicap

Off time: 15:51 | Winning time: 1m 33.28s

(7)

Wise Counsel⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: C G Cox| OR: 87| BF

3/1

Needs to do more off the back of seasonal reappearance when third at Haydock (7f; heavy). Well-fancied for that assignment (11/8F) and facing slightly less atrocious conditions he should be able to build on a very promising campaign last year.

Form: 6431-3

(8)

Artistic Rifles¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: L Morris| T: C Hills| OR: 87| D

13/2

Posted another career best effort when claiming a competitive small-field affair at Doncaster (1m; good to firm). Displayed a willing attitude once again and although further 4lb rise does require more from him, he remains a leading contender.

Form: 951-311

(2)

Pesto³⁰⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 87| D

10/1

Possessed fair placed form in a couple of maidens before ending his season in style by winning one himself. One of a few in this contest making their handicap debut. Slight question mark regarding absence since August. Bang there if fit enough.

Form: 841-

(9)

Nefarious¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: K Shoemark| T: H Candy| OR: 82| D

13/2

Recent runner-up effort at Kempton (7f; standard to slow) would give him a chance. However, he must show vast improvement on what he has achieved on turf to date. Risky proposition.

Form: 34-1572

(6)

Karnavaal³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Jim Crowley| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 81| D

15/8

Not one to completely give up on, despite the fact he hasn't been fully able to progress from his promising Chelmsford (7f; standard) victory on final start of 2018. This is his easiest assignment so far this term and he is an intriguing contender.

Form: 041-65

(3)

Mardle¹⁵⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S W Kelly| T: K R Burke| OR: 80| BF| D

25/1

Would have to improve a fair bit on the bare form of his runner-up effort when making handicap debut at the start of the year at Newcastle (7f; standard). Runs off the same mark again and yard are back amongst the winners after dry spell.

Form: 401-2

(4)

May Sonic⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Cieren Fallon⁽⁷⁾| T: C Hills| OR: 79| D

16/1

Improved plenty from debut run when scoring in an AW Kempton maiden. Made turf debut last time though when dropped in trip to 6f and failed to get involved. Handicap debutante who has a bit to prove back up in trip.

Form: 717

(5)

Sheila's Showcase⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Jason Watson| T: D J Coakley| OR: 79| D

16/1

Has gone backwards after looking a promising sort in a Newbury (7f; good) maiden win last year. Both efforts this term have been devoid of any obvious promise and he now has major questions to answer.

Form: 3185-60

Non-Runners

(1)

Make A Wish²⁶

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: S & E Crisford J: S De Sousa

Forecasts

Karnavaal (15/8), Wise Counsel (3/1), Make A Wish (6/1), Nefarious (13/2), Artistic Rifles (13/2), Pesto (10/1), May Sonic (16/1), Sheila's Showcase (16/1), Mardle (25/1)

A fascinatingly competitive three-year-old handicap in which many of these have a lot of potential going forward. After running respectably in fifth behind the exciting Space Blues at York recently, Karnavaal is an interesting contender, especially as this looks an easier race on paper. Artistic Rifles defied a 6lb rise in the handicap to make it 2-2 at Doncaster this season and has a very likeable attitude, however he has to cope with softer ground. The one who is most exciting is WISE COUNSEL who ran well in good maidens last year and despite failing to justify favouritism in heavy ground at Haydock on his seasonal/handicap debut, should find this more to his liking.