19:45 Sandown

Thursday 28 May 2026

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

starsports.bet Whitsun Cup Handicap

Off time: 19:47 | Winning time: 1m 41.63s

(6)

Hickory^b¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J A Osborne| OR: 96

12/1

Winning start for this yard in Victoria Cup last year and added to his tally at the end of 2025, winning a classified event back at Ascot. Ridden with an eye to the future when down the field in corresponding former event on return and the suspicion is he may have other targets.

Form: 35212-0

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(5)

Raammee²⁶²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Ray Dawson| T: R Varian| OR: 95| D

11/8

Persian King colt who looked well above average on both starts last summer, overcoming both greenness and the run of the race at Kempton on debut before justifying long odds-on favouritism at Newcastle (runner-up won next time out). Can remain unbeaten on turf/handicap debut.

Form: 11-

(4)

Dark Tornado¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: J F Egan| T: M Wigham| OR: 93

14/1

Two 7f wins for Denis Quinn last spring but ended his time with that yard out of sorts. Shaped as if needing the run on return for new connections at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) 12 days ago and this should reveal what ability remains.

Form: 21158-8

(2)

Nostrum¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 89| C| D

13/2

Smart for Sir Michael Stoute earlier in his career but struggled for David O'Meara in 2025. Fared best of those from the centre group when fourteenth of 28 at Ascot (7f, good to firm) on first start for this yard recently but he's looked one with problems for a while.

Form: 68000-0

(1)

Saytarr²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: James Horton| OR: 87| D

9/1

Thriving for new yard, completing the hat-trick in 12-runner event at Newcastle (1m) in March, suited by strong pace. Unable to land the 4-timer but produced a good effort when third of 11 at Ascot (1m, good to firm) earlier in the month and he should remain competitive from 1 lb higher.

Form: 66-1113

(7)

Cogitate²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: C Hills| OR: 86| D

15/2

Gained a first handicap success at Salisbury last spring and returned to that form when making the frame in 4 consecutive starts at Kempton, the latest when runner-up in March on return. Bit below that level the last twice on turf but can bounce back reunited with Buick.

Form: 242-207

(3)

Boyfriend⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 86| D

7/2

Successful over 7f at Newbury as a 2-y-o and added to his tally in 1m Nottingham handicap last summer. Ran creditably after 7 months off when eighth of 24 at Newbury (1m, good) just under 6 weeks ago and he deserves plenty of credit for consistency.

Form: 21456-8

Forecasts

Raammee (11/8), Boyfriend (7/2), Nostrum (13/2), Cogitate (15/2), Saytarr (9/1), Hickory (12/1), Dark Tornado (14/1)

It's hard to get away from RAAMMEE, who looked potentially smart when winning a couple of all-weather novices last summer and Roger Varian's 4-y-o can pick up from where he left off on handicap/turf debut. The obvious danger looks to be Saytarr, who has proved a revelation since joining James Horton and has Daniel Muscutt back on board (3-3 under that rider). Cogitate looks best of the rest.