14:25 Sandown

Friday 25 April 2025

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

bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 2m 11.22s

(2)

Royal Champion⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 113| D

4/1

Very smart gelding who has gone 2-2 for his current yard (following a spell in Australia) this winter in listed race at Lingfield and Winter Derby at Southwell (11f). Must enter calculations.

Form: 32/201-1

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(5)

Al Aasy¹⁸¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 112| BF| D

15/2

Highly-talented veteran who landed Group 3 at Goodwood and Geoffrey Freer at Newbury last summer. Has won when fresh so is very much one to consider on his seasonal return.

Form: 5/21123-

(6)

Almaqam²⁰²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 116| C

4/1

Smart colt who bagged a 1m listed event here last May and signed off with a good head second in Prix Dollar at Longchamp (9.7f, good to soft) in October. Remains with few miles on the clock and not taken lightly.

Form: 4/11632-

(4)

Ancient Wisdom¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 114

12/1

Smart colt who landed Group 3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket (13f) last July. Came in last of 7 in John Porter at Newbury on his reappearance however so has something to prove now.

Form: 1/2813-7

(7)

Arabian Crown⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: C Appleby| OR: 112| CD

7/2

Smart colt who completed a four-timer over C&D last May on his sole start of 2024. Posted a solid fourth of 7 in Dubai City of Gold at Meydan (12f, good) last month. Still low mileage and one to consider for top yard.

Form: 3111/1-4

(1)

Peace Man¹⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 110| D

16/1

Lightly-raced 6-y-o who brought up the hat-trick in 1m2f Newmarket handicap in June, 2023. Raced only three times last term and came in a below-par fifth in 1m2f listed event at Newcastle in November. Needs to take a step forward here.

Form: 111/325-

(3)

See The Fire¹⁸⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 113

11/4

Very smart and consistent filly who landed Group 3 Strensall at York (9f) last August and ended her campaign with a good fifth of 11 in Champion Stakes at Ascot (10f) in October. Holds leading form claims for yard well among the winners.

Form: 542135-

Forecasts

See The Fire (11/4), Arabian Crown (7/2), Almaqam (4/1), Royal Champion (4/1), Al Aasy (15/2), Ancient Wisdom (12/1), Peace Man (16/1)

SEE THE FIRE holds the edge on form and represents a stable that can do no wrong at present so gets the vote in a cracking Gordon Richards Stakes. Ed Walker's Almaqam could take a step forward in 2025 and rates a big threat though, along with Royal Champion, who remains unbeaten since joining Karl Burke. The returning Al Aasy completes the shortlist.