18:00 Sandown

Wednesday 24 July 2019

All18:0018:3019:0519:3520:1020:40

racingtv.com Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 18:00 | Winning time: 2m 8.75s

(2)

Perfect Refuge²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Thomas Greatrex| T: C G Cox| OR: 71| D

9/1

An AW winner earlier in the year over an extended 1m1f she ran as well in defeat next time out over the same C&D. Failed to continue building on that form since however, running well below form back on turf off a four-month break last time.

Form: 37-1208

(1)

Hope Is High²⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Megan Nicholls| T: John Berry| OR: 68| D

14/1

Consistent sort who was competitive last year although failed to match her best form (11 starts since her last win). Drops down 6f in trip returning to turf after a significant absence; has slipped back below her last winning mark if ready to go.

Form: 245324-

(4)

Couldn't Could She²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Toby Eley| T: A West| OR: 67| D

8/1

Two 1m2f wins at Brighton this year have been her best performances although she wasn't in the same form as her last victory at Bath last time. Up a further 2lb this mark sets her a stiff enough task in this grade, others appeal more.

Form: 931815

(8)

Broad Appeal²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Tyler Saunders| T: J G Portman| OR: 64

7/2

Hard to knock on the basis of consistency having run with credit twice since his Leicester win over a 2f further trip in May off a 4lb lower mark. Equally at home over this 1m2f trip a repeat of his run at Windsor last time will see him go close.

Form: 24-2143

(3)

Grange Walk¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Paddy Bradley| T: P Phelan| OR: 64

6/1

Yet to win a race (0-7 on Flat) but getting ever nearer to doing so underlined by his close second at Windsor last time over this trip off a 1lb lower mark. Rider knows him well (ridden him in all Flat starts); one to consider in an open race.

Form: 644952

(7)

Neff⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Rhys Clutterbuck⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 63| BF| D

8/1

Picked up his first GB win on his second start for this yard (attracted support) when taking a 1m2f handicap at Lingfield off a 3lb lower mark. Failed to give his running switched to the AW last time, return to turf needs to provide some spark.

Form: 060-810

(9)

Nordic Flight^b1²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Luke Catton⁽⁵⁾| T: J M P Eustace| OR: 62

6/1

Lightly-raced maiden (blinkered first-time) making his third handicap start with the previous two having shown him needing some help from the handicapper to make an impact. Poorly placed last time in slightly better company; no forlorn hope.

Form: 53-048

(6)

Geranium⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: William Cox| T: H Morrison| OR: 60

6/1

Successful on her handicap debut last year (AW; 1m) she's produced a mixed bag of performances since then, taking a step back in the right direction last time. Edged back down the weights of late (5lb below last winning mark); enters the equation.

Form: 1506-07

(5)

Lunar Deity⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 9-2| J: Marco Ghiani⁽⁵⁾| T: S C Williams| OR: 60| D

6/1

Last two wins have come on the AW; latest in March being his best effort for a couple of years. Runs off his much lower turf mark here having returned to form at Epsom (1m) last time; goes well for this apprentice; decent claims off a feasible mark.

Form: 146273

Non-Runners

(10)

Rail Dancer¹⁴

Weight: 9-7| Age: 7

T: S L Keightley J: Sebastian Woods

Forecasts

Broad Appeal (7/2), Geranium (6/1), Grange Walk (6/1), Lunar Deity (6/1), Nordic Flight (6/1), Neff (8/1), Couldn't Could She (8/1), Perfect Refuge (9/1), Rail Dancer (12/1), Hope Is High (14/1)

An opening contest where plenty can be given a chance not least Grange Walk who has been knocking on the door of late and nearly got off the mark at Windsor last time. BROAD APPEAL just edges the argument though having formed a good association with his rider Tyler Saunders and he may be rewarded for his consistency here. Lunar Deity also enters the picture if he can reproduce his best form on turf while neither Nordic Flight nor Geranium can be left out of this at bigger prices.