13:50 Sandown

Friday 25 April 2025

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

bet365 Esher Cup Handicap

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 1m 45.35s

(1)

Dividend¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 95| C| D

7/1

Course maiden winner over 7f on good last summer. Didn't progress on next 2 turf starts but his form has taken off on AW since, completing a 1m hat-trick when proving 2¾ lengths too strong for the reopposing Tilted Kilt in Southwell handicap 19 days ago. Raised another 7 lb now back on the grass.

Form: 1501-11

(2)

Seraph Gabriel²⁰²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 91| BF

7/2

Confirmed debut promise despite still looking in need of the experience when winning 5-runner Lingfield maiden (7f, good to firm) last July. Beaten at short odds but advanced his form again when narrowly denied in 7f Redcar novice (good to soft) in the autumn. Almost certainly more to come at 3.

Form: 412-

(6)

The Lost King²³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 90

11/2

Left debut effort well behind when landing 7-runner novice at Newmarket (7f, good) last August. Faded to finish sixth of 8 in a 1m Haydock listed race 15 days later but returns as an unexposed sort from an in-form leading stable.

Form: 916-

(8)

Thunder Wonder⁶^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 84| D

7/2

Much improved when readily making all in 1m Musselburgh handicap last Saturday. The yard's Naamoos won that same Musselburgh contest before taking this in 2021. Looks well treated under a 6 lb penalty.

Form: 3616-31

(5)

San Juanito¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R Havlin| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 87

20/1

Raced only on AW, showing improved form to win a novice (8.6f) and handicap (9.5f) at Wolverhampton on last 2 starts. Should be competitive off 5 lb higher if as effective on turf.

Form: 53-3311

(7)

Fifth Column¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 86| D

5/2

Fairly useful form at 2 and barely needed to improve to get off the mark in 1m Kempton maiden on reappearance 18 days ago. Handicap debut.

Form: 7622-1

(3)

Tilted Kilt¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: W J Knight| OR: 85

16/1

Has drawn a blank since 7f AW debut success last June but he was better than ever when 2¾ lengths second of 7 to the reopposing Dividend on his recent 1m Southwell reappearance. Needs to show he's as effective on turf now.

Form: 14025-2

(4)

Penfolds Grange²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: A J Farragher| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 78

50/1

Won 8.6f Wolverhampton maiden in November. Bettered that form when third in novice there on reappearance ago. May improve again but his opening handicap mark isn't obviously generous. Tongue tied first time.

Form: 31-3

Forecasts

Fifth Column (5/2), Seraph Gabriel (7/2), Thunder Wonder (7/2), The Lost King (11/2), Dividend (7/1), Tilted Kilt (16/1), San Juanito (20/1), Penfolds Grange (50/1)

THUNDER WONDER had plenty in hand at Musselburgh last Saturday and will take a bit of stopping under a penalty if coping with the quickish turnaround. Ralph Beckett's Seraph Gabriel should have more to come this season and is second choice ahead of The Lost King for in-form Andrew Balding.