Gm, Equinauts

Sandown hosts a brilliant card today stacked with big race, the feature being the famous Brigadier Gerard Stakes.

The race is one of the most important early-season middle-distance races in the flat calendar and has long been regarded as a key stepping stone toward major Royal Ascot targets, particularly the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.

Only open to older horses aged 4yo and above, it regularly attracts those who are beginning their summer campaigns with RA in sight - think LORD NORTH (when it was run at Haydock) and POETS WORD who both completed the Brigadier Gerard–Prince of Wales’s Stakes double, while HUKUM used his win as a springboard to King George success later in the season.

Let’s dive in.

HEADLINE ROUNDUP

🐎TO FRANCE

Well, it looks like our idea of the French Derby winner WILL go to France.

Aidan O’Brien has confirmed that CONSTITUTION RIVER will bypass the Derby at Epsom and instead head to Sunday’s PRIX DU JOCKEY CLUB at Chantilly, where the Dee Stakes winner is expected to captain the strong Ballydoyle challenge.

His switch to France leaves BENVENUTO CELLINI as the stable’s leading Derby contender next week. Or is he? PIERRE BONNARD is their other leading hope and we know the Derby has always been the aim for him. Yes, he’s been beaten twice this season but as Ballydoyle history reminds us, there is only one race in the calendar to matter and that is the Derby.

CONSTITUTION RIVER, Aidan has said he’s always shown the blend of speed and stamina needed for a mile and a quarter. His collateral Cocked Hat form now looks proper - he beat the winner by a furlong!

He’ll have to do things from the toughest draw though, for he’s bagged the wing (which is never good in this race):

HAWK MOUTAIN and MONTREAL will also head to Chantilly, both having already gained experience at the track in French trials.

French trainer Francis Graffard, enjoying an outstanding Group 1 campaign, labelled CONSTITUTION RIVER as “the one to beat” but is preparing to take him on with the lightly DARYZAN. The Aga Khan Studs colt created a massive impression when winning by 5 lengths on debut at Saint-Cloud and now steps straight into Classic company on only his second start. Graffard admitted that although the O’Brien runners bring already proven to the table, DARYZAN’s pedigree, attitude and rapid development since his debut justify taking the gamble! He also suggested that a large field and race positioning could prove just as important as raw ability in Sunday’s Classic.

The latest betting reflects confidence behind both stable stars, with Constitution River shortened for the Prix du Jockey Club and Benvenuto Cellini strengthening in the Derby market. Sunday’s Chantilly feature is shaping into another fascinating chapter in the growing rivalry between O’Brien and Graffard, which is set to dominate several major races in the weeks ahead.

⭕SANDOWN

18.12 2M GROUP 3 HENRY II STAKES

SWEET WILLIAM won this race two years ago. Unbelievably, that was on soft ground - hard to imagine whilst sitting in this heat now. He made a satisfactory return to action not long ago at Ascot when punters thought he might have needed it. The second behind him that day went on to win a Group 1 in France.

SW is versatile on any ground and this quicker surface shouldn’t be a problem. is presence in this really elevates this race as he is certified Group 1 horse and makes him the one to beat.

LAZY GRIFF hasn’t been seen for a while. He finished an unbelievable 2nd in the Derby last year and then placed 3rd in the Irish version. Absent since. Today surely just has to be a starter for him to get back into things!?

FURTHUR has had a run so should be fit enough but really needs to up his game for this. Yes, he was a Group 3 winner last year but this is basically a Group 1 today.

EPIC POET should be a place player on the basis he’ll be cherry ripe from his exertions in Dubai recently. He’s been knocking in the door.

DUBAI FUTURE is the old man in the race a 10yo and might need slightly further today. His target is the Gold Cup. Needs to show age isn’t getting the way.

PARADIAS has done this trip over hurdles but never on the flat (it’s a lot quicker) and that would be a big concern for us. He should just be there for the day out.

DUKE OF OXFORD has absolutely no chance.

Verdict: SWEET WILLIAM should win this well and then EPIC POET has a big chance of following him home. If the forecast interests you as a fun play, make sure you only play your exotics on the Tote - the pay outs are better!

Play the Tote here: Tote | Offers

19.12 1M 2F GROUP 3 BRIGADIER GERARD STAKES

Gosden with another odds on shot here, this time in 3x Group 1 winner OMBUDSMAN. He is the best horse in the race (as it stands) but has never won at Sandown and punters are looking to take him on. Unlike his attempt to take this last year, he comes here fit having raced out in Dubai - that could be the key today.

GETHIN was a big bet for us last time out. We knew of his ability and was a confident strong stake at 2/1 or 5/2, whatever we got. They know he’s a Group horse but think he’s a Group 1 horse. He’ll need to be to beat OMBUDSMAN today. His half brother GLOBAL GIANT could only get the job done at Listed level.

Of the rest, ALMERIC needs slower ground, WILMBLEDON HAWKEYE might need the run and the other two Godolphin horses shouldn’t be good enough.

Verdict: OMBUSMAN for us to beat GETHIN and land Gosden the big Sandown Group race double.

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