14:25 Sandown

Saturday 31 August 2019

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

Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 2m 6.5s

(4)

Mordin^p²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Marco Ghiani⁽⁷⁾| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 104| D

11/2

Bounced back to form after some disappointing performances with game second at Doncaster (1m2f, good to soft) at the start of the month. Remains on the same mark for this but has to give lumps of weight all round.

Form: 2-15003

(7)

Ventura Knight^b⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 95

10/1

Inconsistent sort and on a losing run at the moment but put up one of his better performances when third in valuable 1m2f York handicap a week ago. Has risen in the weights again and another step up required.

Form: 344053

(3)

Hyanna²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Georgia Dobie⁽⁷⁾| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 90| D

10/1

Largely running well recently, including head defeat over C&D earlier in the summer. Well held sixth in 1m4f Ascot handicap on latest start and career-best is required in this.

Form: 132336

(8)

Mutaabeq²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Jim Crowley| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 90| D

20/1

Tricky sort. Hasn't built on two successes for Dermot Weld last year but shaped well despite hanging when second of 7 at Bath (1m2f, good to firm) earlier this month. Off the same mark but needs to learn to race properly.

Form: 115-92

(9)

Mr Top Hat¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: P D Evans| OR: 89| D

20/1

In good form this season, winning over 1m2f at Chester in May before solid efforts on unsuitable ground, including 10L fourth at Newmarket (1m) last time. Holds claims but will need rain to materialise.

Form: 551334

(5)

Solid Stone⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: David Egan| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 94| BF| D

4/1

1m2f Newmarket winner on seasonal reappearance and has hit the frame on his last two starts at this track and Yarmouth, both at a mile. Those races have produced plenty of winners and should give a bold account.

Form: 1-19022

(6)

Migration²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Jason Watson| T: D Menuisier| OR: 94| CD

9/4

Took advantage of ease in the handicap and drop in class with commanding success over C&D on latest start. Has 6lb rise to contend with and is back up in grade but commands respect.

Form: 221771

(1)

Country^p²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Liam Jones| T: W J Haggas| OR: 93| D

7/2

Made it a three-timer after impressive successes on handicap debut at Redcar this month. The second and fourth have gone on to win since and is the one to beat despite 5lb hike.

Form: 6111

(2)

My Boy Sepoy²³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: L Morris| T: S C Williams| OR: 82| CD

33/1

Inconsistent sort but excels over C&D with two successes here to his name this season, the latter being in an amateur rider's handicap. Raised 4lb for that win but needs more in a deeper contest.

Form: 1-41661

Forecasts

Migration (9/4), Country (7/2), Solid Stone (4/1), Mordin (11/2), Hyanna (10/1), Ventura Knight (10/1), Mr Top Hat (20/1), Mutaabeq (20/1), My Boy Sepoy (33/1)

The well-regarded COUNTRY is the preference to rattle up a four-timer and continue his rapid progression up the handicap ladder. The manner of his Redcar victory suggests he could well be a group-race performer down the line and with that form looking strong, the three-year-old could be dangerously poised by the handicapper. Solid Stone has bounced back to form after some disappointing efforts and the step back up to 1m2f should bring out the best of him on pedigree while Migration and Mordin need to find a bit on ratings to win, but the latter is helped by a good claimer taking 7lb off of his back.