14:25 Sandown

Saturday 3 July 2021

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:15

Coral Challenge (Handicap)

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 1m 44.53s

(4)

Montatham⁹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: A J Farragher⁽⁵⁾| T: W J Haggas| OR: 109| BF| CD

11/2

Progressed into a really smart performer last term, including a win in this. Made a sound reappearance when third to Top Rank in 1m Doncaster listed in March. Back from break with yard in top form.

Form: 21120-3

(5)

Accidental Agent^p¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 106| D

20/1

Queen Anne winner in 2018. Showed he's still capable of smart form when fourth in 1m Newbury handicap on reappearance and not disgraced when seventh in this year's Queen Anne since.

Form: 5450-47

(6)

Bedouin's Story^v¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: P Cosgrave| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 105| D

25/1

Isn't the easiest of rides but found won big-field Meydan handicap in January. Cracking second in Group 3 there next time but never in it after slow start when down field in Buckingham Palace latest.

Form: 26/1520

(13)

Marie's Diamond²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 105| D

25/1

Established as a smart performer, running up to best when second in Group 3 Earl of Sefton at Newmarket on reappearance. Couple of lesser efforts since ahead of this first ever start in a handicap.

Form: 843-286

(10)

Escobar^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: A Kirby| T: D O'Meara| OR: 103| D

16/1

Very useful has gone 16 runs since last win in 2019. Not seen to best effort in Hunt Cup at Ascot last time so probably still in form.

Form: 933650

(1)

Orbaan^t⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Spencer| T: D O'Meara| OR: 101| D

22/1

Respectable fifth of 18 in Lincoln on reappearance and not disgraced in a race which didn't fall his away on Newcastle's AW last week. Well capable off this mark.

Form: 7740-55

(14)

Maydanny¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Dane O'Neill| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 100| D

16/1

Back on the up in no uncertain terms when making all in 1¼m Glorious Goodwood handicap last July. Good reappearance second at Newmarket (9f) but he's disappointed in the Hunt Cup since. Drawn wide.

Form: 5106-20

(11)

Magical Morning¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 99| D

13/2

Progressed into a smart performer at 3. Travelled well for a long way when eighth of 30 in Hunt Cup on reappearance and could be shaper with that outing behind him. Big player for top connections.

Form: 11592-8

(12)

Trais Fluors¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: Oisin Murphy| T: M R Channon| OR: 97| CD

9/1

Snapped a losing run when stepping up on his previous efforts for this yard to win over C&D (good) last month. Not seen to best effect in Hunt Cup since and it would be no surprise to see him go well.

Form: 707410

(2)

Acquitted^b,t¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 96| BF| D

5/1

Back on track with fine second in Spring Mile at Doncaster in March. Disappointed in Victoria Cup next time but better when runner-up on AW in first-time blinkers/tongue tie pairing last month.

Form: 209-292

(15)

Fantasy Believer¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: J F Egan| T: C Hills| OR: 91| D

40/1

All 3 wins over 1m on Kempton's polytrack. Windsor second in May shows he's just as effective on the grass but he's failed to reproduce that 3 times since. 15 stall makes life even trickier.

Form: 5-12970

(8)

Plantadream²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-5| J: M Dwyer| T: J R Best| OR: 90| D

14/1

Successful 3 times at 1m last year and competitive from higher marks in defeat on turf/AW thereafter. All the better for his reappearance when creditable third at Epsom (8.5f, soft) 29 days ago.

Form: 5224-03

(3)

Pythagoras¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: P Mathers| T: R A Fahey| OR: 99| D

3/1

Three wins in productive 2-y-o campaign, including 1m Pontefract listed. Respectable efforts in defeat over 1¼m this term. Faded into eighth in Royal Ascot handicap on latest and now drops back to 1m.

Form: 131-468

Non-Runners

(9)

Beat Le Bon¹⁷

Weight: 9-5| Age: 5

T: R Hannon J: S M Levey

(7)

Ransom³⁷

Weight: 8-3| Age: 4

T: Sir Michael Stoute J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Pythagoras (3/1), Acquitted (5/1), Montatham (11/2), Magical Morning (13/2), Ransom (8/1), Trais Fluors (9/1), Beat Le Bon (10/1), Plantadream (14/1), Maydanny (16/1), Escobar (16/1), Accidental Agent (20/1), Orbaan (22/1), Bedouin's Story (25/1), Marie's Diamond (25/1), Fantasy Believer (40/1)

MAGICAL MORNING shaped as if he possibly just needed the run after moving well for a long way in the Hunt Cup on his reappearance and is worth another chance to show he still has good prize in him off this mark. Last year's winner Montatham and this season's C&D scorer Trais Fluors head the dangers.