Hopefully last year’s £5 Sandown racecard was just a 40th anniversary edition rip-off. I thought that €5 for the Chantilly one was a right rip-off as half of it was adverts for fashionistas but I won’t be paying £5 for Coral adverts and a race history this time in Esher.
Has Roger Charlton played a canny game with Time Test in the Eclipse Stakes? With the prospect of very soft ground at the start of the week, I expected him to be withdrawn but instead they have supplemented a pacemaker. If the ground dries out to Good by race time, he could have a very live chance in what looks beforehand like a moderate renewal.
On form, My Dream Boat is probably the best horse here but would not have been good enough to win any of the last few renewals.
Is Bravery in on his own right or as a pacemaker for The Gurkha? The Poulains winner was beaten at Royal Ascot and steps up in trip here against his elders. Those of us that are beginning to reach the conclusion that most of the three-year-olds are ordinary this year need to see him or Hawkbill win this impressively to think about changing our minds, especially since the last two three-year-olds to win were Derby winners.
In the Coral Distaff (3:10), the obvious one of note is Sariska's daughter Snow Moon, dropping back to a mile after failing as odds-on favourite over ten furlongs last time. She ought to be okay on the ground but this looks quite competitive – if Gosden chooses to be present here rather than Haydock that may be a clue in itself.
William Buick has a month of holiday time to look forward to starting Sunday, so he had best make the most of his rides at Sandown.
Albernathy was beaten favourite in a six-runner affair last time and is unproven on easy ground (well beaten twice on Good ground) so does not look a great prospect. Log Out Island takes on his elders in the second race after a disappointing effort at Royal Ascot and it was James Doyle aboard when he made all at Newbury. The ground should not be a problem but are the three-year-olds actually good enough? Best Of Times blew any chance he had last time by pulling but has shown nothing in either of his races this year to inspire confidence. Natural Scenery could well end up favourite for the last by virtue of having won on easy ground on only her second start last time, especially if she is thought to be better than handicap class.
come on the boy!
