16:35 Sandown

Friday 5 July 2019

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

Sequel Handicap

Off time: 16:36 | Winning time: 3m 5.34s

(4)

Ship Of The Fen²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: Kerrin McEvoy| T: Ian Williams| OR: 87| D

6/4

Good start to life for new trainer when winning at Salisbury before a good second off this weight in 1m6f Goodwood handicap. Remains off this workable mark and is an interesting contender.

Form: 5303-12

(2)

Gwafa⁵⁰⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: F Sweeney| T: P R Webber| OR: 87WS

20/1

Formerly useful hurdler who was last seen finishing second of seven at Wolverhampton in February 2018 (2m, standard). Winner of that has boosted the form considerably but likely to need the run off a 508-day break.

Form: 1224/62-

(8)

Machine Learner⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: S M Levey| T: J Tuite| OR: 84| CD

12/1

Former C&D winner who last got his head in front last July. Not seen at his best in two starts this season, including when last in 1m5f Chester handicap recently. Plenty to prove but claims if replicating his previous track form.

Form: 9574-47

(7)

Imphal²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: R L Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 84

7/1

Wasn't disgraced on yard debut when sixth in 2m Goodwood handicap in June. Only beaten 3l that day and likely to strip fitter from off the same mark. Leading chance for top connections.

Form: 33349-6

(1)

Toshima^t¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: P Cosgrave| T: R Stephens| OR: 82

33/1

Hasn't progressed since landing 1m4f AW maiden at Newcastle last October and a spin over jumps didn't seem to reignite his spark. Well beaten eighth in 2m Newbury handicap when last seen on the flat. Others preferred.

Form: 717-

(6)

Unit of Assessment^t,v²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Jason Watson| T: W J Knight| OR: 81

8/1

Backed up two promising efforts with stylish success in 1m4f Goodwood handicap last time out. That was his first win on turf and more progression can be expected, although he has a 5lb handicap rise to contend with.

Form: 190441

(3)

Knight Crusader³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: Liam Jones| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 81| BF

10/1

Regressed from two good efforts this season when finishing a well beaten seventh in 2m Kempton handicap in early June off this current mark. Can be forgiven for that run but likely that he is in the grip of the handicapper.

Form: 431227

(9)

Emenem²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Harry Bentley| T: S Dow| OR: 80

11/2

Hasn't won since December 2017 but generally consistent since then, including when runner-up at Windsor (1m3f, soft) on latest start. The trip remains an unknown but is bred to get the distance and has solid place claims.

Form: 532492

(10)

Medburn Cutler^p⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 9-8| J: S W Kelly| T: P Hedger| OR: 78WS

50/1

Winner of a strong 2m handicap at Newbury last year but hasn't been in the same form since and was a distant 12th of 13 at Goodwood (2m, good to firm) last time out. Looks to be up against it.

Form: 174-670

(5)

Beer With The Boys²⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: M R Channon| OR: 71

6/1

Ended last season with a gritty victory in 1m4f Pontefract maiden after showing signs of promise. Hasn't been since and gelded during the winter but gets a lot of weight from all of his rivals. Can't be discounted.

Form: 435731-

Forecasts

Ship Of The Fen (6/4), Emenem (11/2), Beer With The Boys (6/1), Imphal (7/1), Unit of Assessment (8/1), Knight Crusader (10/1), Machine Learner (12/1), Gwafa (20/1), Toshima (33/1), Medburn Cutler (50/1)

Despite the official result IMPHAL made an eye-catching start off the back of an absence and over a trip which is 2f shorter, there could be enough improvement left to see him land this contest for connections who usually thrive at this track. Ship Of The Fen ran with great credit off his current mark on his latest start, but he was well held that day and may need to drop slightly in the handicap to get his head in front again. Unit Of Assessment and Beer With The Boys remain slightly unexposed in this company and have live chances.