14:25 Sandown

Saturday 8 July 2023

All13:5014:2515:0015:4016:1516:5017:25

Coral Challenge (Handicap)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 1m 41.71s

(10)

Escobar^t³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 9-12| J: J P Spencer| T: D O'Meara| OR: 107| D

28/1

Not at his best this year, fourth of 6 to Regal Reality in Diomed Stakes at Epsom (8.5f, good to firm) 35 days ago. More is needed back in handicap company.

Form: 810-344

(2)

Positive¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Rossa Ryan| T: C G Cox| OR: 105| C| D

15/2

Course winner who posted a creditable eighth of 30 in Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot (8f, good to firm) 17 days ago. Not discounted.

Form: 561-158

(6)

Major Partnership^t³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: T P Queally| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 102| D

25/1

Resumed winning ways in 7-runner handicap at Nottingham (8.3f, good to firm) 34 days ago. Had a bit up his sleeve there so not taken lightly despite a 4 lb rise.

Form: 0/6-9581

(7)

Intellogent¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: K Shoemark| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 100| D

16/1

Failed to build on previous promise when twenty fifth of 30 in Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot (8f, good to firm) 17 days ago. Weighted to go well if back on song.

Form: 707-460

(1)

Silent Film¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: W Buick| T: Ian Williams| OR: 99| C| D

11/1

Course winner for Charlie Appleby who made an encouraging start for his new handler when eighth of 29 in 7f handicap at Royal Ascot 16 days ago. In the picture.

Form: 520-538

(3)

Revich^v¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Spencer| OR: 97| D

25/1

Resumed winning ways at Chester in May and not disgraced when eleventh of 30 in Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot (8f, good to firm) 17 days ago. Needs considering.

Form: 8-93190

(13)

Orbaan^t¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 96| D

50/1

Dual 7f/1m winner in 2022. In and out this term though, only 22nd of 30 in Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot (8f, good to firm) 17 days ago. Can have a say if on his A-game.

Form: 25-7040

(5)

Ouzo¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J A Osborne| OR: 94| C| D

13/2

As consistent as they come but that means the handicapper isn't cutting him any slack. Ran well again in the Hunt Cup 17 days ago and went close in this last year.

Form: 6-32366

(4)

Perotto¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Varian| OR: 94| BF| C| D

5/1

Caught the eye when seventh in Ascot's Victoria Cup but made his effort earlier than ideal when tenth of 30 in Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot 17 days ago. Hood on. This course winner is well worth another chance.

Form: 3409-70

(8)

Indemnify⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: K T O'Neill| T: Alice Haynes| OR: 92| CD

17/2

Off 8 months before cosily landing 9-runner handicap over C&D 44 days ago on his final run for Roger Varian. Still low mileage so he's much respected starting out for another good yard.

Form: 22120-1

(15)

Dutch Decoy²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Hayley Turner| T: C Johnston| OR: 90| D

11/1

Five-time 7f/1m winner in 2022 who is knocking on the door, set lot to do when ½-length second of 12 to Maysong in handicap over C&D 21 days ago. One for the shortlist.

Form: 045422

(11)

Baltimore Boy²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: T E Whelan| T: M L W Bell| OR: 88

33/1

In good form until only eighth of 12 to Maysong in handicap over C&D 21 days ago. This fairly useful 7f winner is the sort to bounce back.

Form: 202-048

(12)

Spirit Catcher^h⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: C Johnston| OR: 87| D

11/1

Runner-up on his last three outings, beaten a nose in 1m handicap at Newcastle 9 days ago. One to consider off an unchanged mark.

Form: 3832-22

(9)

Maysong^p⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-2| J: Tommie Jakes⁽⁷⁾| T: Alice Haynes| OR: 83| CD

14/1

C&D winner in June who backed it up with a good third of 6 in handicap at Hamilton (8.3f, good) 4 days ago. Ought to be in the shake-up once more.

Form: 136013

(14)

Sceptic¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A M Balding| OR: 92| D

5/1

Improving sort who bagged his second win in 1m handicap at Goodwood 15 days ago. Strong at the finish there so he merits serious consideration despite taking a 6 lb rise.

Form: 4-1641

Forecasts

Perotto (5/1), Sceptic (5/1), Ouzo (13/2), Positive (15/2), Indemnify (17/2), Dutch Decoy (11/1), Spirit Catcher (11/1), Silent Film (11/1), Maysong (14/1), Intellogent (16/1), Revich (25/1), Major Partnership (25/1), Escobar (28/1), Baltimore Boy (33/1), Orbaan (50/1)

Roger Varian's new recruit PEROTTO wasn't seen to best effect in Ascot's Hunt Cup last time and is well worth another chance to confirm his promising Victoria Cup seventh off a 3 lb lower mark here. Intellogent is another who is weighted to have a say if back to his best while the improving Sceptic and reliable Spirit Catcher must also enter calculations in a very competitive handicap.