13:50 Sandown

Friday 5 July 2019

All13:5014:2014:5515:2516:0016:3517:05

Sandown Park Supports Racing Staff Week Handicap

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 1m 0.63s

(7)

Miracle of Medinah⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: F Sweeney| T: M D I Usher| OR: 91

9/1

Former Group 3 winner who showed some signs of form when a staying on second of nine at Newbury (6f, good) in May. Not raised in the handicap for that effort and has claims, but must contend with top weight and a first start at 5f since 2013.

Form: 0/3630-2

(4)

Jumira Bridge¹⁶²

14/1

Hasn't won since switching to Robert Cowell last year and was last seen finishing a well-beaten fifth in 5f Southwell handicap. Has had wind surgery since then but unless that sparks a revival, others make more appeal.

Form: 7909-45

(1)

Beyond Equal⁹^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: S W Kelly| T: W S Kittow| OR: 83

5/2

Put some disappointing efforts behind him with an authoritative 2l win in 5f Bath handicap last month. But now races off a 5lb higher mark and steps up to this class for the first time. Solid claims but requires career best.

Form: 1-74051

(3)

Swiss Knight^t²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Oisin Murphy| T: S C Williams| OR: 85

7/2

Modest debut for new stable when 2l seventh in competitive 6f Newmarket handicap in June. Dropped 1lb for that run and tries the minimum distance for the first time, but remains slightly unexposed and has a good draw. Interesting contender.

Form: 2/1425-7

(5)

Tinto⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: R Havlin| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 81| D

7/1

Has regressed in last two runs after some promising efforts at the start of the season and was last seen finishing fourth of nine at Windsor (6f, good to firm). That was in weaker grade and remains 7lb above his last winning mark. Best watched.

Form: 6-22354

(6)

Leo Minor^p⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Jason Watson| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 76| D

8/1

Uninspiring five runs in 2019 and most recently was a well-held fourth in 5f Newmarket handicap (good) on latest start. His mark keeps tumbling down the handicap and would be a surprise if he is competitive.

Form: 0-80774

(2)

Exalted Angel^p¹¹^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: B A Curtis| T: K R Burke| OR: 75| D

7/2

Consistent sort who finally got off the mark in some style in Maisons-Laffitte maiden (5f, good) in late June off the back of being gelded. The operation seemed to bring out the required improvement and is on the shortlist for handicap debut.

Form: 35-231

Forecasts

Beyond Equal (5/2), Swiss Knight (7/2), Exalted Angel (7/2), Tinto (7/1), Leo Minor (8/1), Miracle of Medinah (9/1), Jumira Bridge (14/1)

In what looks to be a typically competitive Sandown sprint contest, the preference is BEYOND EQUAL, who stormed to victory over some useful rivals at Bath last time out and looks capable of taking his form to a new level from the ideal draw of Stall one. Exalted Angel was eye-catching in his maiden victory in France and while that form hasn't been tested yet, he could be a progressive one for the future in this type of company, while Swiss Knight remains unexposed and is bred to handle this sprint trip.