19:10 Sandown

Wednesday 31 July 2019

All17:3518:0518:3519:1019:4520:20

Join Racing TV Now Handicap

Off time: 19:11 | Winning time: 1m 42.33s

Settings

Selected odds by:

(7)

Alternative Fact¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: R Havlin| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 89| D

8/1

Not won since Salisbury novice race in 2017 but recent thirds over C&D and at Newmarket suggest that this handicap mark is within range now and he should again be in the shake-up.

Form: 49-0033

(2)

Rogue²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Cieren Fallon⁽⁵⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 85| C| D

12/1

A four-time turf winner for Richard Hannon (6f-1m); he has finished third in three of his four starts for this yard with the last two of them in France behind the same horse. Suggest others better handicapped.

Form: 08-3633

(6)

Michele Strogoff¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 84| D

25/1

Inveterate front runner who has no secrets from the handicapper, and despite a losing run of nine, he remains 2lb above his last winning mark. Below form at Windsor latest and this no easier.

Form: 743436

(1)

Muraad¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Dane O'Neill| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 91

3/1

Wolverhampton win and two thirds in his three novice starts and beaten by just a head on handicap bow at Ascot latest over 1m. More to come and every chance he can today go one better.

Form: 3-132

(4)

Pesto¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 91| C

7/2

Dead-heat winner here over 7f two starts back was 1½L behind Muraad in sixth when the pair met at Ascot latest. Return to this course but aforementioned rival obviously has stronger claims.

Form: 841-16

(8)

Smile A Mile¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 89| BF| D

14/1

Things have really clicked this season with some smart progression following a gelding operation. His recent Yarmouth win made it 3-6 this year although was beaten at Ripon latest under a penalty. Too progressive to overlook.

Form: 416214

(3)

Solid Stone¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 88

7/2

7f and 1m2f winner has struggled in valuable class two's at Newbury and Newmarket the last twice but he should be much more at home here and has to be respected given yard he hails from.

Form: 421-190

(5)

Maamora⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 88| D

4/1

Improved markedly from two to three-years-old and belatedly off the mark in good style at Ripon two starts back before finishing midfield in the ultra-competitive Sandringham at Royal Ascot. This more reasonable and she's not ruled out.

Form: 8-22210

Forecasts

Muraad (3/1), Solid Stone (7/2), Pesto (7/2), Maamora (4/1), Alternative Fact (8/1), Rogue (12/1), Smile A Mile (14/1), Michele Strogoff (25/1)

Having gone oh-so close at Ascot latest on handicap debut MURAAD looks to have strong claims here and the fact that he never ran a bad race in three novice events further bolsters his claims. Relatively unexposed sorts Solid Stone and Maamora are both feared down in class having raced in hot handicaps latest.