19:40 Sandown

Wednesday 26 July 2023

All18:0018:3519:1019:4020:1020:40

Verve Way Handicap

Off time: 19:41 | Winning time: 1m 46.07s

(10)

Two Tempting²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Rob Hornby| T: J G Portman| OR: 80| D

3/1

Career-best effort when doubling career total at Kempton 3 weeks ago. Both wins gained at that venue but he's equally effective on turf and 4 lb higher mark shouldn't prevent a bold follow-up bid.

Form: 202821

(6)

Golden Sands^p,h²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 80| D

12/1

Front runner who opened account for this yard at Kempton (1m) in February. Bagged first win on turf granted an uncontested lead at Beverley (8.5f) in May but certainly didn't enjoy the run of things at Carlisle since. Expected to bounce back.

Form: 104310

(9)

Billy Mill²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Paddy Bradley⁽³⁾| T: B R Millman| OR: 78| D

22/1

Rarely races on turf and not in top form on the AW on last 2 outings. That said, a handicapping case can certainly be made for him now 2 lb below his last successful mark.

Form: 503370

(8)

Night Arc¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Thomas Greatrex| T: R Hannon| OR: 73

15/2

Improved when landing a 1¼m Leicester handicap on the second of just 2 appearances last season. Low-key start to the campaign but dropped in trip and much more like it with a brace of runner-up efforts this summer.

Form: 31-8622

(5)

Intercessor^b²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: J Gallagher| OR: 72| D

8/1

Won 3 times at around 1m in 2022 and placed twice this spring. Brushed aside in the Carlisle Bell when last seen, though he did fluff the start slightly (normally a prominent racer).

Form: 3-62367

(7)

Snapcracklepop^b²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Aidan Keeley⁽³⁾| T: W Muir & C Grassick| OR: 72| D

10/1

Just 1 lb above his last winning mark, gained at Windsor last summer. Headgear fitted this term and solid if unspectacular efforts so far.

Form: 22-6435

(4)

Fascinating Lips²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: D C Costello| T: G & J Moore| OR: 70| D

14/1

Won Lingfield seller last summer before a pair of good placed efforts. Successful transition to hurdling in 4-runner novice hurdle at Fontwell in September and shaped as though in need of the run on last month's Flat return. Expected to step up on that.

Form: 3/2123-7

(3)

Mudskipper⁸²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: W Buick| T: D Menuisier| OR: 76

9/4

Fair form at 2 yrs, placed in a Goodwood maiden and a novice event at Newbury. Just a fair start to life in handicaps but he's been gelded since last seen, is unexposed and has the services of William Buick.

Form: 623-45

(2)

Frequent Flyer^b1¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 68

11/1

Interesting runner on his 2-y-o form but has yet to fire this season, visored when only sixth of 8 upped to 8.5f at Epsom a fortnight ago. Blinkers now the headgear of choice.

Form: 20-5946

Non-Runners

(1)

Distinguished Lady¹⁷

Weight: 9-8| Age: 3

T: Darryll Holland J: Jim Crowley

Forecasts

Mudskipper (9/4), Two Tempting (3/1), Distinguished Lady (7/1), Night Arc (15/2), Intercessor (8/1), Snapcracklepop (10/1), Frequent Flyer (11/1), Golden Sands (12/1), Fascinating Lips (14/1), Billy Mill (22/1)

There's definitely an air of unfinished business around MUDSKIPPER, who could well up his game on the back of a gelding operation with William Buick taking the ride. Night Arc arrives on the back of a brace of runner-up efforts and he seems sure to give it another good go, along with recent AW winner Two Tempting.