16:25 Sandown

Friday 15 September 2023

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

Christophe Duchamp Grand Mont Handicap

Off time: 16:27 | Winning time: 1m 28.28s

(2)

Atrium^p³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: K Shoemark| T: C Fellowes| OR: 97| D

11/4

Found ease in weights/drop in grade liberating and bounced back to best when landing share of the spoils at Doncaster (7f, soft) in July. Never in the hunt at Chepstow next time but will be a threat if he puts his best foot forward.

Form: 058910

(5)

Documenting¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 9-7| J: Ben Sanderson⁽³⁾| T: K Frost| OR: 95| D

12/1

Veteran who won twice over this trip off higher marks in 2022 and stepped up on reappearance effort when third of 10 at York in May. However, he hasn't made much of an impact in 3 subsequent starts and now finds himself with a bit to prove.

Form: 8-53055

(1)

Silver Samurai²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: J P Spencer| T: M Botti| OR: 92| D

11/2

Dual 6f winner last season and opened his 2023 account at the seventh time of asking when landing a 15-runner handicap at Newmarket (6f, good). Remains on a workable mark up 5 lb and return to this trip is unlikely to be an issue.

Form: 900651

(6)

Azano²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 92| D

5/1

Useful front-runner who put in a good shift when runner-up at Newmarket during the spring. Performed to a similar level when third off 1 lb higher back there (1m, good) last month and, though not the most reliable overall, he has to enter calculations.

Form: 525363

(3)

Mitrosonfire⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Stefano Cherchi| T: W Muir & C Grassick| OR: 85| D

4/1

The second of his two wins in 2022 was gained off this mark at Newmarket and was unlucky not to finish closer when fourth of 15 to Silver Samurai there last month. Below par on the AW since but it wouldn't be a surprise were he to bounce back with a bold show.

Form: 743045

(7)

Under The Twilight²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Billy Loughnane| T: M Blake| OR: 84| D

5/1

Winner of 6f/7f handicaps at Salisbury this year and bounced back from a couple of below par efforts when a staying-on second at Windsor (6f, good to firm) last time. Moving back up in trip here no bad thing and she's one to consider.

Form: 131982

(4)

Priscilla's Wish⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: A J Farragher⁽³⁾| T: P J McBride| OR: 82| D

11/1

Back on the up to gain her seventh course success at Yarmouth in June. Best effort since when a respectable fourth over this trip at Newmarket (good to firm) last time and, now 2 lb lower, she's a live each-way player.

Form: 261774

Non-Runners

(8)

Mokaatil¹⁰

Weight: 8-4| Age: 8

T: Ian Williams J: L Morris

Forecasts

Atrium (11/4), Mitrosonfire (4/1), Azano (5/1), Under The Twilight (5/1), Silver Samurai (11/2), Priscilla's Wish (11/1), Documenting (12/1), Mokaatil (16/1)

The vote in this trappy-looking contest goes to UNDER THE TWILIGHT, who returned to form when hitting the crossbar at Windsor where she shaped as though the return to this trip would be in her favour. Likely pace angle Azano will be dangerous if allowed too much rope out in front, while Silver Samurai's confidence may have been boosted by his Newmarket success and he also merits respect, along with Mitrosonfire and Priscilla's Wish.