13:50 Sandown

Wednesday 18 September 2019

All13:5014:2014:5515:2516:0016:3517:0517:35

Countryside Day November 10 Handicap

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 1m 0.17s

(5)

Union Rose^v⁵^{(ex 4)}

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Raul Da Silva| T: R Harris| OR: 76| CD

3/1

In fine form of late, following up Bath win by beating Our Oystercatcher by 1½L over C&D last week. Still fairly treated under a 4lb penalty, and should give another good account.

Form: 432411

(7)

Gnaad¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A Bailey| OR: 76| CD

9/4

Best recent effort when ¾L second to Our Oystercatcher over C&D last month, but he's usually slow to get into stride, and spoiled his chance at Ascot last time with that trait.

Form: 382327

(2)

Major Blue^b⁵⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: A Kirby| T: J M P Eustace| OR: 74| D

10/1

Flattered to a degree by his Pontefract win in July (blinkered for first time) when his only serious rival reared in the stalls, and too lit up after an early bump when only fifth of 6 at Yarmouth next time. Chance may hinge on getting a clear run.

Form: 362915

(9)

Joegogo^v1³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Angus Villiers⁽⁷⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 73| D

14/1

Won at Chelmsford in January, but he's been below form in four turf starts this year, and has something to prove sporting a visor for the first time.

Form: 238836

(3)

Enthaar^p,t¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Jason Watson| T: S C Williams| OR: 72| D

10/1

Rather in and out of late, winning over 5½f at Brighton in August, but below that form twice since at that venue, albeit not disgraced when 1½L fourth there last time. More needed now.

Form: 266164

(4)

Madrinho³²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: George Downing| T: A W Carroll| OR: 71

20/1

Best recent effort when second in a lady riders' contest at Carlisle (6f) two starts back, but not in same form either side of that effort, and this trip may be too sharp for him in any case.

Form: 636827

(11)

Doc Sportello^p¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: B Doyle| T: A W Carroll| OR: 70| D

8/1

Below form since winning over 6f at Kempton in January, but has slipped to a lenient mark, and has shaped well a couple of times of late. Gives the impression he will appreciate the drop to 5f for first time since January 2018.

Form: 968638

(1)

Leo Minor^t1¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Cieren Fallon⁽³⁾| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 67| D

9/1

Third off 9lb higher here in July, but running just respectably despite a falling mark since, and although second at Bath last time, he was beaten 3¼L by the winner, and the form hasn't worked out. Tongue tied for first time, and hopes lie therein.

Form: 435762

(6)

Michaels Choice^b¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: K Shoemark| T: W Jarvis| OR: 67

20/1

Hasn't been making much of an impact this season, and although lit up by first-time blinkers at Brighton last time, he was ultimately well beaten. Needs to raise his game.

Form: 055645

(10)

Pink Iceburg^b1¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: S W Kelly| T: P Crate| OR: 63| D

20/1

Best recent effort when third to Big Time Maybe at Brighton on penultimate outing, but that form is only modest. Not disgraced last time, but needs to improve now fitted with blinkers for the first time.

Form: 554634

(8)

Porto Ferro^t¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Rhiain Ingram⁽⁵⁾| T: J J Bridger| OR: 56| D

25/1

Back to some sort of form of late, and stepped up when 4½L second of 6 to Chil Chil at Windsor last time. That still leaves her short of her best, though, and she's out of the weights here.

Form: 697052

Forecasts

Gnaad (9/4), Union Rose (3/1), Doc Sportello (8/1), Leo Minor (9/1), Enthaar (10/1), Major Blue (10/1), Joegogo (14/1), Michaels Choice (20/1), Madrinho (20/1), Pink Iceburg (20/1), Porto Ferro (25/1)

UNION ROSE is on a hat-trick, and while he has a penalty to shoulder for his latest C&D success, this race looks weaker in terms of depth, so he must go well. Gnaad has place claims at a track where his tendency to start slowly may not be punished severely, and Doc Sportello has been shaping up well enough off his reduced mark lately, and could well benefit from a rare outing at this trip.