17:35 Sandown

Wednesday 31 July 2019

All17:3518:0518:3519:1019:4520:20

Every Race Live On Racing TV Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:38 | Winning time: 1m 44.72s

(4)

Flying Dragon⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: Luke Catton⁽⁷⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 70| CD

9/2

Not going anywhere quickly at present and looks very one paced whatever the trip he tries. On the plus side, has a C&D win to his name but was only fourth here last time and again others are preferred.

Form: 857454

(6)

Image Of The Moon^p1³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: Gavin Ashton⁽⁷⁾| T: S L Keightley| OR: 70

3/1

Still a maiden but never finished out of the frame since sent handicapping and there is no reason she can't continue her consistent run as long as the ground remains on the slow side of good (untried but withdrawn on fast).

Form: 94-2232

(7)

The Dancing Poet¹⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: Cieren Fallon⁽³⁾| T: E F Vaughan| OR: 70

11/2

Showed glimpses of ability in three AW starts over the winter but having been off four months ahead of this his turf/handicap bow others are more compelling.

Form: 54-6

(1)

Grab And Run³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Connor Murtagh| T: R A Fahey| OR: 68

6/1

Not beaten far into second in a 7f Catterick maiden and stepped that form up again to be third in a much deeper race at Newcastle when a 2L third of seven. Handicap debut sees him upped to 1m but looks like he'll stay and is respected here.

Form: 623

(3)

Toybox³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Tyler Saunders⁽⁵⁾| T: J G Portman| OR: 66

7/1

0-5 this season but registered her best race of the campaign with a fourth of 11 at Windsor latest. Will need to step up again to make the frame for first time since her Kempton two-year-old win.

Form: 1-89774

(8)

Diviner⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Andrew Breslin⁽³⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 65

9/1

Dual 5f two-year-old winner not tasted success since but ran one of her best races of a busy campaign latest when second at Musselburgh (1m) under front-running tactics and a repeat of that effort will see her go very close here.

Form: 676352

(5)

Stay Forever¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Marie Perrault⁽⁷⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 64

12/1

Maiden but placed in half of her races and second again latest at Newbury (7f) albeit well held in the end. Return to 1m should suit well enough and has each-way claims once more in a weak race.

Form: 629262

(9)

Classic Star²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Luke Bacon⁽⁷⁾| T: D K Ivory| OR: 60

15/2

Showed improved form when fourth on soft ground over 7f at Leicester last month on his return from a break but beaten further at Chelmsford on the AW since so has a bit to prove again now.

Form: 806-745

(2)

Crimson Kiss¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Darragh Keenan⁽³⁾| T: P Phelan| OR: 55

33/1

Filly didn't show a great deal of promise in three AW starts (7f-1m) for Michael Bell but ran with minor promise on stable/handicap debut at Epsom latest (sixth of 11). Hopes for a first place now.

Form: 95-96

Forecasts

Image Of The Moon (3/1), Flying Dragon (9/2), The Dancing Poet (11/2), Grab And Run (6/1), Toybox (7/1), Classic Star (15/2), Diviner (9/1), Stay Forever (12/1), Crimson Kiss (33/1)

This looks a decent opportunity for Mark Johnston to continue his quite remarkable run of form with the filly DIVINER well placed to get off the mark for the season. Consistent sort Image Of The Moon is knocking on the door and may provide the stiffest resistance although handicap debutant Grab And Run is respected as the least exposed runner here.