14:25 Sandown

Saturday 6 July 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Coral Challenge (Handicap)

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 1m 40.83s

(3)

Key Victory^p¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 103

10/1

Hasn't won since his Newmarket (1m2f) Listed success on just his second start. A fair bit below form at Meydan this winter and a similar story at Royal Ascot on return. Becoming feasibly handicapped but he's a risky proposition at present.

Form: 6-04800

(8)

Mojito⁶³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: L Dettori| T: W J Haggas| OR: 101| BF| C| D

4/1

Progressive handicapper back in 2017, rattling off a hat-trick before failing to beat a rival home in an 18-runner handicap at Ascot (that run too bad to be true). Feasibly handicapped on return but entitled to need the run.

Form: 331110/

(10)

Zhui Feng⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Jim Crowley| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 101| D

25/1

Hasn't won since a Listed success more than a year ago but there's been some promise in his runs this season. At his best when he can dominate from the front and both a wide draw and a few other front-runners may make that difficult.

Form: 807-305

(5)

Breden⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-7| J: R Winston| T: Mrs L C Jewell| OR: 100| D

33/1

Has shown more consistency this term, winning twice on AW this winter and getting his head back in front on turf last time out. Only nudged up 2lb for that and fast ground will be in his favour but this is tougher.

Form: 242351

(7)

Petrus^p¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Oisin Murphy| T: B J Meehan| OR: 99| C| D

12/1

Got his head back in front for the first time since his novice success at this meeting in 2017 when winning at Doncaster on his return and followed up at Bath. Subsequent efforts suggest the handicapper may just have his measure now though.

Form: 49-1140

(9)

Escobar^t⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: D O'Meara| OR: 98| D

12/1

Ran a blinder (33/1) when caught close home by Sharja Bridge in the Balmoral Handicap (1m, soft) at Ascot on British Champions Day 2018. Hasn't scaled those heights in three starts this season and down another 2lb. More needed.

Form: 302-090

(11)

History Writer^t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Jason Watson| T: D Menuisier| OR: 97| CD

7/1

C&D winner who tends to save his best for this venue as his course form figures suggest (31531). Impressive when winning over C&D last time out and a 6lb rise could be a shade lenient. Solid each-way claims.

Form: 04-7301

(6)

Via Serendipity^t¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Kerrin McEvoy| T: S C Williams| OR: 97| CD

8/1

C&D winner last year before going on to finish third in this race. Returned to form in good style at Chelmsford last time and only 2lb higher here. Each-way claims.

Form: 410-081

(1)

Salute The Soldier⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 96| BF| D

16/1

First past the post before losing the race at Wolverhampton on return and only narrowly denied by Petrus at Bath next time out. Very disappointing when favourite at Newbury last time out, failing to beat a rival home but he's better than that.

Form: 112-D20

(14)

Lush Life³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: J P Spencer| T: J A Osborne| OR: 94| BF| CD

7/1

A winner of four of her eight starts including a C&D success two runs back (form franked since). Didn't seem to appreciate a return to AW last time out but respected on return to turf here and less exposed than many.

Form: 418-316

(4)

Greenside²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: Harry Bentley| T: H Candy| OR: 94| BF| CD

15/2

Gained a first win since 2017 at Windsor on second start this season having shaped with promise on his reappearance and has run well in defeat in two subsequent starts. A previous C&D winner with the ground in his favour; should go well.

Form: 44-4134

(2)

Qaroun⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 93| D

6/1

Won twice last season and has been running well in defeat so far this campaign, particularly at Newcastle last time out when just caught out by the stiff finish. Up 3lb for that though and wouldn't appear to have much in hand from the handicapper.

Form: 31-2322

(12)

Rum Runner²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: M Dwyer| T: R Hannon| OR: 84| C

25/1

Dual course winner whose form tailed off towards the back end of last season. However, he produced a much more promising effort at Goodwood last time out and left on the same mark by the handicapper. Claims if building on that run.

Form: 1846-93

Non-Runners

(13)

Pattie¹⁷

Weight: 9-0| Age: 5

T: M R Channon J: Scott McCullagh

Forecasts

Mojito (4/1), Qaroun (6/1), History Writer (7/1), Lush Life (7/1), Greenside (15/2), Via Serendipity (8/1), Key Victory (10/1), Escobar (12/1), Petrus (12/1), Salute The Soldier (16/1), Zhui Feng (25/1), Rum Runner (25/1), Breden (33/1), Pattie (33/1)

A wide-open handicap but a chance is taken on the lightly raced LUSH LIFE who should appreciate a return to turf here. Rum Runner's effort last time out suggested he may be about to bounce back while several previous course and distance winners can't be ruled out, most notably History Writer who saves his best for this venue.