18:12 Sandown

Thursday 28 May 2026

All17:1017:4218:1218:4219:1219:4520:20

Star Sports Henry II Stakes (Group 3)

4YO plus | Class 1 | 2m 50y | 8 Runners | Turf

(4)

Sweet William^v²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 117| CD

5/6

Very smart and consistent stayer who won this 2 years ago and was again a feature in the big cup races last season, winning the Doncaster Cup in September. As good as ever when narrow winner of Sagaro Stakes at Ascot on return and sure to make another bold bid under a penalty.

Form: 43212-1

(7)

Dubai Future^p²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 9-4| J: David Probert| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 109| D

25/1

Missed whole of 2024 but resumed in fine fettle early last year, winning a couple of valuable Group races at Meydan. It's been a struggle since, though, and was over 8 lengths behind Sweet William in Sagaro Stakes at Ascot 4 weeks ago.

Form: 9366-84

(8)

Duke Of Oxford^t⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: D Egan| T: M L W Bell| OR: 102| D

50/1

Better than ever currently but has a bit to find at this level and evidence suggests he's better on the all-weather.

Form: 0051-15

(3)

Epic Poet¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 111

8/1

Smart hold-up performer but regularly finds one or 2 too good at pattern level, including when third in Yorkshire Cup on British return 2 weeks ago.

Form: 02-2553

(1)

Paradias²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Rossa Ryan| T: A King| OR: 105| C| D

25/1

Smart handicapper who has been a tremendous servant for connections and looked as good as ever when winning at Lingfield (1½m) in February. However, only fifth of 6 when running up to best in a sub-par Group 2 at Newmarket 4 weeks ago. Stamina to prove over this far.

Form: 42-3135

(6)

Furthur¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 111

10/3

Runner-up in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot and showed a fine turn of foot when landing the Geoffrey Freer at Newbury last summer. Respectable fourth in Yorkshire Cup on return 2 weeks ago and stiffer test here will suit.

Form: 25160-4

(2)

Lazy Griff³³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: C Johnston| OR: 114

4/1

Placed behind Lambourn all 3 starts last season, notably when second in Derby and third in Irish Derby. Suffered a setback after and not seen since but very interesting to see how he fares in the staying ranks this year (shapes like a stayer).

Form: 131/223-

Non-Runners

(5)

Beylerbeyi²¹

Weight: 9-4| Age: 6

T: Ian Williams J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Sweet William (10/11), Lazy Griff (4/1), Furthur (9/2), Epic Poet (7/1), Dubai Future (20/1), Beylerbeyi (25/1), Paradias (25/1), Duke Of Oxford (33/1)

FURTHUR was smart as a 3-y-o and could prove a force in cup races this year given how he shaped on his comeback at York. The consistent Sweet William is an obvious threat having defied a penalty in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot on his reappearance, while Lazy Griff is a very interesting contender stepping up in distance on his belated return.