14:25 Sandown

Friday 23 April 2021

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

bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:27 | Winning time: 2m 13.56s

(2)

Desert Encounter^h¹⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: D M Simcock| OR: 115| D

40/1

Dual winner of the Group 1 Canadian International but drew a blank in 2020, albeit performing with credit on most occasions. Likely to prove vulnerable to younger legs on this return to action.

Form: 232250-

(1)

Extra Elusive⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Hollie Doyle| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 113| D

16/1

Won pair of Group 3s over this trip last summer. Easy to forgive his reappearance run on dirt in Saudi but suspicion he'll find a couple of these too progressive for him.

Form: 21136-0

(5)

Highest Ground¹⁹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 111| BF| D

5/2

Beat Waldkonig at Haydock on return last June and improved again when narrowly denied by Thunderous in Dante. May have been unsuited by softer ground final start. Remains very good prospect.

Form: 1/120-

(6)

Hukum²²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 114

7/2

Highly-progressive colt who followed up his Royal Ascot handicap win with a smooth display in Geoffrey Freer at Newbury. Didn't quite stay trip when fifth in St Leger final start. Should do well at 4.

Form: 31/115-

(4)

Thunderous²⁸⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 112| D

7/1

Took his career record to 4-5 when edging out Highest Ground in Dante at York last July. Missed the remainder of 2020 but he appeals as the type to do better again as a 4-y-o.

Form: 111/21-

(3)

Waldkonig¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 109| D

6/4

Beaten by Highest Ground in Haydock novice last summer but he looked a colt who'll make his mark at pattern level this term when easily landing 1¼m Pontefract handicap on return 17 days ago.

Form: 1/32-1

(7)

Winter Reprise¹⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: D Menuisier| OR: 98| D

80/1

Maiden winner in France last year who ended his campaign with an improved close second in 9.5f AW listed event at Deauville. Another big step forward needed to get heavily involved here, though.

Form: 832162-

Forecasts

Waldkonig (6/4), Highest Ground (5/2), Hukum (7/2), Thunderous (7/1), Extra Elusive (16/1), Desert Encounter (40/1), Winter Reprise (80/1)

A belting renewal of this Group 3, featuring a few who are likely to make their presence felt at the highest level in 2021. HIGHEST GROUND gets the nod to turn around last year's Dante form with Thunderous and provide Sir Michael Stoute with a fourth successive winner of the race. Hukum was a rapid improver last year and could be the one to give him most to do.