13:50 Sandown

Friday 23 April 2021

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:40

bet365 Esher Cup Handicap

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 1m 46.52s

(7)

Naamoos²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: B A Curtis| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 98| D

11/2

Perhaps unsuited by soft going when well held in listed last autumn as he was straight back on up when taking 1m Musselburgh handicap on return. More to come but smart effort needed under top weight.

Form: 216-1

(4)

Quintillus²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 92

6/1

Confirmed debut promise when scoring at Kempton in October. Improved again when fourth in 1m Chelmsford conditions event on return 22 days ago. Respected for yard whose 3-y-o colts are in flying form.

Form: 41-4

(3)

Rifleman¹⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: R L Moore| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 87

7/2

Promising start last autumn, finishing off with comfortable 7f Kempton novice success. Opening mark in the mid-80s looks very manageable. Sure to go well.

Form: 921-

(10)

Dingle⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 86| D

3/1

Progressive, the 7f Newbury handicap he was third in on reappearance a week ago almost certainly strong form. More to come from him now returning to 1m.

Form: 631-3

(9)

Tawaareq¹⁹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 82

6/1

Doncaster maiden winner last September. Excuses when only sixth in Newmarket nursery on final start and remains capable of better.

Form: 516-

(6)

Chateau D'if²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: David Egan| T: D Menuisier| OR: 80

25/1

Left debut form behind when off the mark with a strong finishing effort at Fontainebleau in November. Shaped as if better for run on Doncaster return and remains capable of better now handicapping.

Form: 51-6

(8)

Without Revenge¹⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: Hollie Doyle| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 80| D

12/1

11/2, much improved when opening his account in 1m Lingfield novice in November. Open to further improvement on his handicap debut having been gelded. Possibilities.

Form: 751-

(1)

Melody Of Life¹⁰⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: F Norton| T: A M Balding| OR: 78

10/1

Fair performer who landed the odds in 7f Kempton novice in January. Effective at 1m, but this is tougher and more is needed if he's to follow up on his turf debut.

Form: 32-31

(2)

Buxted Too¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Cam Hardie| T: Ian Williams| OR: 78

40/1

Stepped up on his 2 efforts in November when making a successful return to action in 7f Chelmsford maiden 17 days ago. He'll require more again if he's to go in again on handicap debut.

Form: 43-1

Non-Runners

(5)

Ilza'eem¹⁸

Weight: 8-12| Age: 3

T: S & E Crisford J: James Doyle

Forecasts

Ilza'eem (11/4), Dingle (3/1), Rifleman (7/2), Naamoos (11/2), Tawaareq (6/1), Quintillus (6/1), Melody Of Life (10/1), Without Revenge (12/1), Chateau D'if (25/1), Buxted Too (40/1)

A cracking renewal of this good 3-y-o handicap, featuring several progressive types. RIFLEMAN gets the nod after making a very promising start to his career last autumn. Dingle shaped very well in a hot Newbury handicap last week and looks sure to have a say if coping with 2 outings in such quick succession. Ilza'eem looked good at Redcar and is also much rsspected.