15:25 Sandown

Friday 5 July 2019

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

Davies Insurance Services Gala Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 2m 7.11s

(7)

Elarqam¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Jim Crowley| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 111| D

11/10

Decisive listed winner at Goodwood two starts ago before arguably running a career-best in a hot renewal of the Wolferton Stakes (1m2f, soft) at Royal Ascot on unsuitable ground. Leading contender if he can defy 3lb penalty.

Form: 634-413

(5)

Chief Ironside¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: J P Spencer| T: W Jarvis| OR: 107| D

12/1

Creditable run at Epsom two starts ago but finished a never threatening 14th in the Royal Hunt Cup (1m, soft) when last seen. Has been found wanting at this level in the past and likely to be the same fate in this contest.

Form: 337-630

(4)

Extra Elusive⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 106| D

15/2

Creditable third over C&D behind Crystal Ocean in April but disappointed behind Elarqam when fifth of eight at Goodwood (1m2f, good to firm) last time out. Blinkers are now removed and has 3lb with that rival. Interesting if back to his best form.

Form: 217-235

(1)

First Nation¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Kerrin McEvoy| T: C Appleby| OR: 109| D

12/1

Hasn't replicated the form of his Meydan handicap win in two starts back in the United Kingdom, most recently when a well-beaten 13th in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot. Other rivals likely to have the measure of him and is best watched.

Form: 04-1350

(2)

Oasis Charm^p¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: B Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 106| D

11/1

Looked to have his limitations exposed when behind Elarqam in ninth place in the Wolferton Stakes, but represents a yard in good form and this is an easier contest. Each-way claims.

Form: 2/11-159

(3)

Royal Line²³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 111

5/1

Lightly raced five-year-old who looked a group performer in waiting in the November Handicap (1m4f, soft) when last seen. But is unraced on ground quicker than good and has tended to need the run coming off a lengthy break before.

Form: 137/311-

(6)

Fifth Position⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 100

6/1

Beat the highly regarded Space Blues at Nottingham two starts ago and wasn't disgraced when third in the Cocked Hat Stakes (1m3f, good to firm) when last seen. Steps back down in trip and gets weight from all go his rivals. Dangerous to ignore.

Form: 413

Forecasts

Elarqam (11/10), Royal Line (5/1), Fifth Position (6/1), Extra Elusive (15/2), Oasis Charm (11/1), First Nation (12/1), Chief Ironside (12/1)

Cases can be made for many horses but it could be worth siding with the three-year-old FIFTH POSITION in this listed contest. The gelding looked to be a non-stayer last time but remains unexposed for a powerful yard whose high-class middle distance horses tend to improve each race. Elarqam remains highly regarded by his connections and has the capability of landing a group race in the future but is likely to be hampered by his 3lb penalty, while Extra Elusive could go close if replicating his previous Sandown form. Royal Line is likely to need the run and the forecasted conditions are a worry.