20:00 Sandown

Thursday 26 May 2022

All17:4018:1518:5019:2520:0020:35

Coral Whitsun Cup Handicap

Off time: 20:03 | Winning time: 1m 42.76s

(2)

Rebel Territory²⁰⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Jim Crowley| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 93| D

4/1

Useful gelding who was successful on 2 of his last 3 starts in 2021. Needs another career-best effort back from 6 months off, though.

Form: 223161-

(7)

Inigo Jones⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 93

9/4

Won fresh last season but unable to repeat that feat having been gelded when fifth of 8 at Chelmsford just under 6 weeks ago, spared a hard race once held. May well take a step forward from that effort here.

Form: 2/1393-5

(4)

Farasi Lane^v1¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: David Probert| T: T Ward| OR: 91| CD

10/3

Improved to win pair of handicaps at this track last summer, latest over C&D in August. Stepped up on reappearance when runner-up at Windsor recently and hopes pinned on a first-time visor eking out that bit extra.

Form: 8170-42

(3)

Ouzo²³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Saffie Osborne⁽³⁾| T: J A Osborne| OR: 90| C| D

10/1

Course winner in 2019 who was unable to make much of an impact last season. Has since left Richard Hannon (62,000 gns) and probably best watched on return to action after 7 months off.

Form: 045877-

(8)

Raising Sand¹⁷⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 9-4| J: Nicola Currie| T: J A Osborne| OR: 88| D

28/1

Last year's efforts suggest that he may no longer be at the peak of his powers, unable to land a blow on a rare all-weather start at Kempton (8f) 6 months ago. Not getting any younger so watching brief advised unless the market says otherwise.

Form: 839006-

(6)

Fantasy Believer³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 85| D

10/1

Made a winning reappearance at Kempton in 2021 and was just a nostril away from repeating that feat back there in March. Slow starts have let him down on his last couple of starts so he does come with some risks attached.

Form: 936-247

(9)

Lyndon B^p²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: William Cox⁽³⁾| T: J L Flint| OR: 83| CD

14/1

Back to winning ways over C&D last July but finished well held after 7 months off at Ascot last month. Faces another struggle here.

Form: 51042-9

(5)

Wonder Elmossman²³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: J F Egan| T: J S Moore| OR: 80| D

8/1

Capitalised on a drop in grade to record a first success in handicap company at Lingfield last month and similar form when runner-up there earlier this month. This tougher and his record on turf is far less convincing.

Form: 21-9712

Non-Runners

(1)

Fox Champion²⁴³

Weight: 9-8| Age: 6

T: R M Beckett J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Inigo Jones (9/4), Farasi Lane (10/3), Rebel Territory (4/1), Fox Champion (6/1), Wonder Elmossman (8/1), Ouzo (10/1), Fantasy Believer (10/1), Lyndon B (14/1), Raising Sand (28/1)

A few in with a shout but a chance is taken on FOX CHAMPION. Ralph Beckett's charge shaped well on several occasions last season, and starting his 6-y-o campaign from a career-low mark, he's put forward as the answer. Inigo Jones made a low-key return to action under a change of tactics at Chelmsford last month but he's feared most with that under his belt. Farasi Lane and Rebel Territory can fight out third spot.