14:25 Haydock

Saturday 25 May 2024

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3016:1016:45

Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Sandy Lane Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 1m 12.77s

(5)

Vandeek²³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: S & E Crisford| D

8/11

Went from strength-to-strength as a 2-y-o, a campaign which culminated in a decidedly smart performance in the Middle Park at Newmarket (6f, good to firm), bagging that Group 1 prize with minimum fuss. Likely capable of better still and he sets a very good standard.

Form: 1111-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(2)

Airman²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 90

33/1

Successful sole 2-y-o start and, despite still looking green, he made it 2-2 on return in a Hamilton novice (5f, good to soft), a good effort considering that he was conceding 11 lb to the runner-up. Should stay 6f and remains open to improvement but this represents a big step up in class.

Form: 1-1

(6)

Alaskan Gold²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 103| D

33/1

Much improved with a visor added when ½-length second of 9 to Ballymount Boy in listed race at Doncaster (6f, heavy) on final 2-y-o start. Headgear omitted when a creditable fifth on return in the Greenham at Newbury but subsequent Newmarket display was disappointing.

Form: 3172-54

(1)

Esquire³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 107| D

17/2

Plenty of promise on the first 2 of his 3 starts as a juvenile and improved when landing the Greenham on return at Newbury (7f, good) last month (Alaskan Gold back in fifth). Drop back to 6f won't be a problem and while this demands another step forward, he has to enter calculations.

Form: 126-1

(3)

Inisherin²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 110

9/2

Out of a Group 1 winner and confirmed promise of Newmarket debut second in September when landing a 1m Newcastle novice in March. Acquitted himself really well when sixth in the 2000 Guineas back on the Rowley Mile 3 weeks ago and will be a big player if coping with this drop in trip.

Form: 2-16

(7)

Orne^b1¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: K T O'Neill| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 102

40/1

Winner of the Horris Hill at Newmarket (7f, heavy) in November and placed first 3 starts of this year on the AW, including twice in listed company. Misfired in first-time blinkers (retained here) in the French 2000 Guineas recently and while dropping back in trip may help, others look stronger.

Form: 1-23320

(4)

Purosangue²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 104| C| D

11/2

Ended solid juvenile campaign with a ¾-length success over Esquire in the Rockingham Stakes at York (6f, soft). Positive start to this season when third of 10 in the Commonwealth Cup Trial at Ascot and he's an each-way contender.

Form: 52221-3

Non-Runners

(8)

Pandora's Gift²³

Weight: 8-13| Age: 3

T: S C Williams J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Vandeek (8/11), Inisherin (9/2), Purosangue (11/2), Esquire (17/2), Pandora's Gift (14/1), Alaskan Gold (33/1), Airman (33/1), Orne (40/1)

This race revolves around VANDEEK, who carried all before him during his four-race unbeaten campaign in 2023, a haul which included two of the biggest 6f juvenile races of the season in Europe, namely the Prix Morny and the Middle Park. He will prove hard to beat if resuming in top form. That said, this will be no penalty kick if Inisherin, who was a fine sixth in the 2000 Guineas, copes with the drop to sprinting, while the filly Pandora's Gift has looked very good indeed on the all-weather.