14:15 Sandown

Saturday 17 June 2023

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:05

Aspall Cyder 1728 Handicap

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 1m 41.47s

(4)

Magical Morning^b,t⁴²

18/1

C&D winner. Useful sort who was a respectable second in a Saint-Cloud conditions race on penultimate start in March. May have found ground softer than ideal at Newmarket (9f) 6 weeks ago and this rates more suitable. Had wind op and blinkers now the headgear of choice.

Form: 0-02820

(6)

First View¹²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: Dane O'Neill| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 93| D

12/1

Lightly raced for age and proved better than ever when landing London Mile at Kempton in September prior to a creditable display in Cambridgeshire final start. Not figured either start in Meydan earlier this year but no surprise to see better showing back on these shores.

Form: 1710-00

(13)

Helm Rock^t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: R Kingscote| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 93| D

5/1

Registered 3 victories during second half of last year, latterly at Haydock (1m) in September. Quickly back on the up this term, no extra only late on when second in a C&D handicap 23 days ago. This sort of mark doesn't look beyond him.

Form: 910-032

(1)

Autumn Festival²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: A Kirby| T: D O'Meara| OR: 90| C| D

28/1

Won 7 times last season, including twice over C&D. Good fourth in Thirsk Hunt Cup on penultimate outing and perhaps found himself trapped a bit wide at Goodwood last time, so shouldn't be completely written off for all he may not have too much hidden from the handicapper at present.

Form: 111-049

(9)

Eilean Dubh³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 90| D

9/1

Fast improver in 2022, winning 4 times at up to 1m. Only one real effort of note in handful of starts on AW/turf so far this year, eleventh of 16 in handicap at York (7.9f) 4 weeks ago. Handicapper is steadily relinquishing his grip at least.

Form: 01-9060

(3)

Baltimore Boy⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: H Crouch| T: M L W Bell| OR: 90

15/2

Off the mark at Newcastle (1m) 12 months ago prior to good runners-up efforts on 2 of 3 starts thereafter last summer. Undone by draw/run of race on return in Spring Mile and quickly back to best when fourth at Ascot (1m) in May, having been set a bit too much to do. One to be interested in.

Form: 1202-04

(7)

New Dimension²⁹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 89

7/1

Successful sole start as a 2-y-o and improved efforts in defeat during light 2022 campaign, possibly not relishing the step up to 10f when fourth in 8-runner handicap at Yarmouth in August. Remains low-mileage as a 4-y-o for leading stable.

Form: 1/254-

(11)

Dutch Decoy¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Oliver Stammers| T: C Johnston| OR: 88| D

11/1

Five-time 7f/1m winner in 2022 who arrives having run a solid race when runner-up at Epsom (8.5f) 2 weeks ago, beaten only by one granted an uncontested lead. Up 1 lb as a result but foolish to dismiss in present groove.

Form: 7-04542

(8)

Ashky²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 86| D

25/1

Progressive in 1m handicaps during second half of last year, all 3 victories coming at Newmarket. Hasn't been at very best in 2 starts at that venue so far this campaign though, and others arrive with more pressing claims.

Form: 1313-07

(5)

Repertoire¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Ross Coakley| T: D M Simcock| OR: 84| D

9/1

Eased back down to last winning mark and he duly capitalised when landing 9-runner Newmarket handicap (1m) in May. Ran well despite being set a lot to do when midfield in 12-runner Epsom handicap (8.5f) since and good gallop to aim at here will help.

Form: 837-716

(2)

Maysong^p¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Shariq Mohd⁽⁷⁾| T: Alice Haynes| OR: 79| CD

20/1

C&D winner who is a largely consistent sort and proved better than ever when resuming winning ways at Redcar (1m, heavy) in April. Probably best not judged too harshly on latest efforts at Chester/Epsom and whilst he's yet to defy a mark this high, he's not out of things for each-way purposes.

Form: 431360

(10)

Bodorgan²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: W Buick| T: C Hills| OR: 87

3/1

El Kabeir colt. Off the mark at third attempt in novice company in the autumn and matched previous best when fifth on return/handicap debut at Haydock (1m) 3 weeks ago. Good-looking sort who may well do better again with that under his belt. Possibilities.

Form: 031-5

Non-Runners

(12)

Zu Run³¹

Weight: 8-12| Age: 3

T: A M Balding J: Oisin Murphy

Forecasts

Bodorgan (3/1), Helm Rock (5/1), New Dimension (7/1), Baltimore Boy (15/2), Eilean Dubh (9/1), Repertoire (9/1), Zu Run (10/1), Dutch Decoy (11/1), First View (12/1), Magical Morning (18/1), Maysong (20/1), Ashky (25/1), Autumn Festival (28/1)

One of only two 3-y-os in the line-up, BODORGAN was progressive as a juvenile and produced a perfectly adequate comeback run when fifth on handicap debut at Haydock 3 weeks ago. A good-looking sort with potential for better still, he's expected to go well. Baltimore Boy and low-mileage 4-y-o New Dimension are others fancied to be in the mix, whilst Maysong could provide a spot of each-way value at longer odds.