19:30 Sandown
Thursday 23 July 2020
All16:2016:5517:2517:5518:3019:0019:3020:00
Imber Court Handicap
- 4YO plus  |  Class 4  |  1m 1f 209y  |  Good to Firm (Good in places on the Round Course)  |  16 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 19:32Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 2m 7.06s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Yet to get off the mark but has some solid placed efforts next to his name. Didn't seem to stay when behind Monsieur Lambrays over 1¾m at Salisbury last time, and not dismissed cutting back in trip here.
Both wins last year came over C&D, most recently off a 2lb lower mark in an amateur riders' race in August. Below form this year, markedly so last time, but perhaps he'll be revived by a return to this venue.
Had a great 2019 campaign winning four times and rising 20lb in the process. Better effort this term when 14½L third of 6 to Fox Vardy at Newmarket last time, but needs to take another step forward to be competitive.
Lightly raced, and his best efforts have come after a break, such as when second in a 1m3f maiden at Kempton last month. Ran poorly on handicap debut at Windsor, looking ill at ease on the track. Bit to prove now.
Much improved when landing first two starts on AW for current yard, those wins meriting a 25lb rise in total. Better than result when fourth of 12 to Glan Y Gors at Pontefract last month after a break, and should build on that now.
Won over this trip at Lingfield early in the year, and placed on the snow at St Moritz, including in a local Group 2. Has not been getting home over further in recent starts, and not a shock to see her fare better back in trip here.
Raised 10lb after winning by 13L at Brighton (1½m, good) last spring, and matched that form when beaten a neck over the same C&D on his final 2019 start. Gelded since, and lacks a run, but likely to be suited by this increased test of stamina.
Won a pair of 1¼m handicaps at Yarmouth and Epsom last summer, when generally progressive. Better for return when 3¾L seventh of 13 to Colony Queen at Beverley last time, but will need to come forward again to defy his current mark.
Winner in France for Fabrice Chappet last year, and not discredited when fifth of 12 to Gin Palace in a 1m handicap at Newbury recently on debut for current yard. Untried beyond 1m, but reasons for thinking he'll appreciate this trip, and respected.
Below form this year, but hinted at a revival when 3¾L third of 6 to Red October at Leicester last time. On a fair mark now, but her tendency to race keenly remains something of a concern.
Placed on four of his five starts since completing a double over 1¼m at Lingfield in January. Unsuited by test of speed over 1m last time, and should be seen to better advantage at this trip.
Well held on his return, but better than the result when fifth of 11 to Broad Appeal at Windsor last time, racing against a pace bias. Could get competitive at rewarding odds if escaping a tricky draw.
Just one win in the past three years, and could finish only seventh of 9 to Involved at Windsor on his seasonal return. Fairly handicapped if building on that, but easy enough to have reservations.
Made a winning start for his current yard when arriving from France last December but not all plain sailing since. Again below form when 6L sixth of 9 to Alnaseem at Yarmouth last time in cheekpieces. Usual hood is refitted now.
Ended a frustrating sequence when scoring at Wolverhampton in October for Ed Walker. Well held on both starts for new yard, however, and is still 4lb above his winning mark.
Scored over 1m1f here last summer, and back to the same mark she was successful off at Epsom 12 months ago. Ended 2019 in the doldrums, though, and likely to need this after a lengthy break.
Non-Runners
6
(6)
Songkran6
Weight: 9-6|Â Â Age: 4
T: G Boughey  J: K Shoemark
NR
Forecasts
Blue Cup (4/1), High Commissioner (4/1), Songkran (9/2), Knowing (9/1), Agent Basterfield (9/1), Maiden Castle (9/1), Snow Ocean (12/1), Torochica (16/1), Motawaafeq (16/1), Brooklyn Boy (16/1), My Boy Sepoy (18/1), Gas Monkey (20/1), Champs De Reves (20/1), Noble Peace (20/1), Hollywood Road (28/1), Ashazuri (33/1), Stormbomber (80/1)
Songkran is on a roll at present, and a penalty is not necessarily going to stop him as he bids for a remarkable four-timer. He'll be a tough nut to crack, but AGENT BASTERFIELD resumes on a fair mark, and has been gelded since last seen, so could go well with this trip appearing within his compass. Champs de Reves was best of those held up at Windsor last time, and could get involved assuming he gets a stronger pace to run at here.
- Agent Basterfield
- Songkran
- Champs De Reves
Prize Money
1st: £4,690.002nd: £1,396.003rd: £697.004th: £349.00
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