14:40 Sandown

Friday 30 August 2019

All14:1014:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Betway Handicap

Off time: 14:41 | Winning time: 1m 0.71s

(6)

Gnaad¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: David Egan| T: A Bailey| OR: 75| CD

4/1

Hasn't won since landing C&D handicap last September and overcame another awkward start to finish well-held third in 5f Salisbury handicap on latest start. On a good mark, but needs to overcome stalls debacle.

Form: 6-03823

(7)

Secretfact⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: J Quinn| T: M S Saunders| OR: 75| D

8/1

Has been running to a consistent mark this season, placing on last three starts including second in strong 5f Bath handicap nine days ago. Remains on the same mark and should give another bold account.

Form: 955232

(1)

Indian Raj^t¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: S C Williams| OR: 75| BF| CD

3/1

Generally progressive sort this season, winning over C&D in July before never nearer third when strongly fancied at Windsor (5f) last time out. Still open for improvement and jockey booking is notable.

Form: 1/45313

(5)

Delagate This Lord¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: David Probert| T: M J Attwater| OR: 75| BF| D

4/1

Took form to a new level in last four starts, including narrow second in 5f Bath handicap on latest start but well held behind Indian Raj over C&D two starts ago. Slight improvement required to reverse that form.

Form: 001242

(2)

Spanish Star¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Liam Keniry| T: P R Chamings| OR: 74| D

11/1

Two-time winner this season but has struggled to land a telling blow since being upped to revised mark, including 3L fifth in 6f Brighton handicap ten days ago. Still high enough in the weights but place claims on best form.

Form: 1D1345

(8)

Elizabeth Bennet^v1³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: A Kirby| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 74

20/1

Hasn't improved since switching to this yard and latest 6L defeat at Windsor (6f, good to firm) leaves a lot to be desired off this mark. Visor is on for the first time but the yard can ready one of these types.

Form: 604-686

(4)

Irene May²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Watson| T: S Kirk| OR: 76| D

20/1

Lightly-raced filly. Dual winner of minor contests last season but bombed out on seasonal debut when last of seven at Kempton (6f). Entitled to need the run that day but this looks a strong enough contest.

Form: 11-7

(9)

Our Oystercatcher²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: H Crouch| T: M Pattinson| OR: 68

9/2

Running modestly this season but not shown his best hand in two last two starts, including 2L fifth at Chelmsford (6f) last time out. More needed but tumbling mark is of interest.

Form: 643465

Non-Runners

(3)

Kodiac Express¹¹

Weight: 9-5| Age: 4

T: M Murphy J: Gabriele Malune

Forecasts

Indian Raj (3/1), Gnaad (4/1), Delagate This Lord (4/1), Our Oystercatcher (9/2), Secretfact (8/1), Spanish Star (11/1), Irene May (20/1), Elizabeth Bennet (20/1), Kodiac Express (20/1)

INDIAN RAJ has been steadily coming to hand since a long enforced absence and despite failing to fire at Windsor last time, he remains unexposed in this company and has a good chance here to make a mark on the handicap ladder and could have some big handicaps in his sights in the autumn. Secretfact registered a career-best last time out and has been given another chance by the handicapper for this whereas Delegate This Lord isn't given leniency in his form ties with the preference, although shouldn't be disgraced. Gnaad should be running on best at the finish, but his stalls antics is a major concern.