14:25 Sandown

Saturday 2 July 2022

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Coral Challenge (Handicap)

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 1m 41.44s

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Selected odds by:

(6)

Escobar^t¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: A Kirby| T: D O'Meara| OR: 106| D

10/1

Won the 2019 Balmoral Handicap and having run plenty of good races last year, he resumed winning ways in 7f York handicap on return in May. Not seen to best effect both starts since so he probably remains in form.

Form: 296-140

(7)

Sinjaari¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: K Shoemark| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 105

7/2

2020 John Smith's Cup winner who shaped well a couple of times for his current stable last season and ran creditably again on a rare crack over 1m on his return at Newbury. First home in his group in the Royal Hunt Cup so he clearly figures on a good mark.

Form: 4224-35

(9)

Checkandchallenge⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: W Buick| T: W J Knight| OR: 108| D

11/4

Won on AW first 2 starts, the latter a 1m Newcastle listed on Good Friday. His inexperience found him out in the 2000 Guineas 15 days later (also met trouble) but he should be more streetwise with that behind him. Remains capable of better.

Form: 1-10

(8)

Chance^p¹⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: James Doyle| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 98| D

25/1

Won back-to-back AW handicaps during the winter but found good run of form coming to a halt at Lingfield in January. Back in trip on first start since returned to turf.

Form: 5361-14

(3)

Ouzo¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Saffie Osborne⁽³⁾| T: J A Osborne| OR: 94| C| D

9/1

Ran well when fourth in last season's Royal Hunt Cup. Mixed bag thereafter but proved he's still capable of useful form when second of 8 on return/yard debut over C&D. Too free in the Buckingham Palace fitted with first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 5877-20

(4)

Lion Tower²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: S H James| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 93| D

6/1

Enjoyed a productive campaign in 2021, winning four times in total. Has continued the good work this term, just kept up to his work when successful over 7f at York 3 weeks ago. 3 lb rise perfectly fair and he stays 1m.

Form: 18-5321

(1)

Darkness^v¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: David Egan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 88| D

16/1

Useful ex-French 7f/1m winner who shaped quite well when seventh of 15 in handicap at Epsom, caught further back than ideal. Shade disappointing back over 1m at Redcar a fortnight ago, though.

Form: 043775

(11)

Tahitian Prince^b1⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: S Hitchcott| T: R Hannon| OR: 88| D

20/1

Enjoyed a very productive 2021, winning 4 times. Better for return when fourth at Windsor, looking likely to win entering the final 1f before tiring badly late on, perhaps still needing it.

Form: 1215-74

(5)

Trais Fluors⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 8-5| J: S De Sousa| T: M R Channon| OR: 85| CD

12/1

Hasn't found winning easy in recent years but eased in weights and shaped as if in good form on the whole this season, though he never really threatened at Windsor last time.

Form: 00-7034

(10)

Mostawaa⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-2| J: Tyler Heard⁽³⁾| T: H Main| OR: 82| D

22/1

On a lengthy losing sequence but effort in handicap at York last time can be excused having had the worst of draw. This mark doesn't look beyond him for all he does seemingly need everything to fall right.

Form: 5-65220

(2)

Flyin' High^p²³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: Joey Haynes| T: A M Balding| OR: 82| D

20/1

Yet to win a handicap but his 5 runs this year have been at least respectable, runner-up from the front with cheekpieces on at Newbury 3 weeks ago.

Form: 0-44332

Forecasts

Checkandchallenge (11/4), Sinjaari (7/2), Lion Tower (6/1), Ouzo (9/1), Escobar (10/1), Trais Fluors (12/1), Darkness (16/1), Flyin' High (20/1), Tahitian Prince (20/1), Mostawaa (22/1), Chance (25/1)

LION TOWER has built up a very likeable profile, going with plenty of zest for his latest win at York 3 weeks ago, and he seems very likely to give his running. Sinjaari is sure to be popular following his eye-catching run at Ascot but he will need a good test kept to 1m, with Checkandchallenge very much the unknown quantity.