Equinties - Sandown Friday

Gm Equinauts

The newsletter might have another horse to run…

We’ll see. Let’s dive in.

HEADLINE ROUNDUP

ROCKING THE BOAT

Quite a while ago, Yowners removed BLUE ROSE CEN, the four-time Group 1 winner, from Christopher Head’s yard out of the blue. Fast-forward to yesterday and he’s pulled out all his others too including the QEII winner BIG ROCK.

Yeguada Centurion, the ownership and breeding entity of Leopoldo Fernandez Pujals, moved BLUE ROSE CEN and 10 other horses from the yard citing that the growth of their team had got so big that they wanted a second trainer on the books. However, the remaining horses have now gone, which inflicts a huge dent into Head’s Chantilly-based operation.

On the event, Head said: "The decision was communicated to me on Thursday morning and the horses will be at Maurizio Guarnieri's yard on Thursday evening. I've enjoyed every second and every victory that the Yeguada Centurion horses have given me. It has been a valuable experience that I'll be putting to good use in the future."

HENRY de MAN

Yesterday, we gave an update on what Gordon Elliott hopefuls would be heading over to Punchestown, and today we have the Henry de Bromhead horses to scan over.

The first of which is SLADE STEEL who should be one of the most fascinating runners of the week. Why? Well, even though it’s only been 6 weeks since the Festival, the Supreme form already looks white hot.

At Aintree, MYSTICAL POWER and FIREFOX ensued in a ding-dong battle in the Grade 1 Top Novices’ Hurdle, with LOOKAWAY miles back in third, and FAVOUR AND FORTUNE has won the Scottish Champion Hurdle since.

SLADE STEEL is in both the two-mile and two-and-a-half-mile novice hurdle at Punchestown, so it’ll be a case of dodging BALLYBURN.

CAPTAIN GUINNESS is skipping the Grade 1 Celebration Chase this weekend to have a crack at the Grade 1 William Hill Champion Chase which should be an easier race on paper, and MASKADA could also feature in the race.

And finally, MONTY’S STAR will put the FACT TO FILE form to the test in the Grade 1 Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase over three miles as FACT TO FILE is not entered. SPILLANE’S TOWER, EMBASSY GARDENS, and INTENSE RAFFLES look to be his opponents.

SANDOWN

14.25 GROUP 3 GORDON RICHARDS STAKES

Just the seven are declared for the Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown, and the money at the top end of the market has been for OKEECHOBEE.

He was a decent three-year-old in 2022 and he made light work of a Salisbury handicap when bolting up off 92, though he had over 18 months off the track when second to DUBAI HONOUR in a Listed race lto.

The 5yo is a half to LOGICIAN, SUFFUSED, and COLLIDE, so he has a strong pedigree and if he doesn’t bounce from Kempton, his case is obvious.

ISRAR’s last run came in the Group 3 Amir Trophy in February when well-beaten, so he’s coming into this race fairly fresh. The first-time blinkers are on here, though he’s mainly raced over 1m4f and 1m6f (and his best form comes over these trips) so this return to 1m2f is interesting.

DESERT HERO was the early ante-post favourite but can now be backed at 9/2 for William Haggas.

Sporting the royal colours, he was a progressive three-year-old and finished the season with a third in the Leger, one of the best pieces of form for the staying three-year-olds with CONTINUOUS, TOWER OF LONDON, and GREGORY in the race.

FLYING HONOURS was sent off 11/2 to win the Dante last season but massively disappointed and hasn’t been seen since.

He’s a SEA THE STARS out of a Group 3-winning DUBAWI mare, so that is lovely to see, but he may just need the run if he has had a setback. He must have been showing something at home as a two and three-year-old as he was sent off 2/7 to beat DUBAI MILE, THE FOXES, and GREENLAND in the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes.

ARTISTIC STAR was highly tried as a three-year-old as he raced in Group 1s, 2s, and 3s, but his only win was in a novice at Sandown in May.

He won fto in that race last year and has from with the likes of KING OF STEEL. He needs to find a little bit on DESERT HERO, but the fresh angle and potential winter improvement could make him interesting.

CHECKANDCHALLENGE has danced many a dance in his career and he tends to go well fresh as he won a Listed race to kick off 2022, finished a fine fourth in the Group 2 Mile last season, and nearly won a Sandown handicap off a 63-day break in 2022.

His form might be below a few in here, but he’s a solid addition.

Finally, TASMAN BAY is the one who will be racefit having won a heavy ground handicap off 96 lto, but this could be a step too far.

Verdict: ISRAR is the one to beat on this good ground:

15.00 SANDOWN MILE

LORD NORTH (and POGO) is the daddy of the pack at 8 years old. An 8th place finish in the Dubai Turf was disappointing considering he’s won the race 3 times in the past. Dropping back to a mile today he’s still top rated.

POKER FACE is ultra consistent, 11 runs, 6 wins and 3 seconds. He won a Gr2 at Longchamp in September and the way he got better throughout the year suggests he might well do the same. But this is a good starting point.

CHARYN was filling the places last year in Group 1s bumping in Paddington and Dubai Turf winner Facteur Cheval. He has had a recent run at Doncaster when he won impressively, but after his seasonal debut last year when second in the Greenham he flopped next time out in the Guineas. Did he bounce?

NOSTRUM in the Juddmonte colours is a typical Stoutey older horse, with low mileage and unexposed. He had his injury worries last year which is possibly why he has only ran 6 times but always been held in high regard. His mother was winning as a 4yo. Goes well fresh having won off a 278 day break last year.

FLIGHT PLAN is on schedule according to Karl Burke who has penciled in the Lockinge if all goes well today. He finished his 3yo season with a win at Leopardstown in a Gr2, but possibly a weak Gr2. Has some form to find with Poker Face and maybe best watched first time out.

WITCH HUNTER is 25/1. He improved massively last year as a 4yo winning the Gr2 Hungerford Stakes on good to soft. He needs to prove that a mile is within reach.

The other old boy, is POGO. His form last year was a little patchy but he has been highly tried and what a horse to own. He always runs his heart out. This might stretch him in his ability and he doesn’t necessarily stay the mile.

Verdict: We’re hoping CHARYN doesn’t bounce and that his second run last year in the Guineas was due to him not staying the mile trip on his first attempt, plus it was very deep ground as well. Roger Varian will be hoping he’ll win here today and go on to the Lockinge.

15.35 CLASSIC TRIAL

ARABIAN CROWN won 3 o/o his 4 starts as a 2yo which included a listed and Group 3 race, sitting at 12/1 for the Derby (Betfair). The stable is motoring along at 28% s/r and this looks ARABIAN CROWN’s to lose.

MACDUFF is by Sea The Stars so like Bellem Justum the other day it’s likely he has improved from 2 to 3. He beat REMAADD and PORTLAND at Haydock when he was second in a Listed. More needed from all three to get in terms with Arabian Crown although MACDUFF is only rated 1lb inferior.

As aforementioned REMAADD was behind MACDUFF on his last start as a 2yo. This will tell connections where to go next.

PORTLAND has had the benefit of a run which makes him an interesting contender today although he’s got a bit to find on ratings.

WAR ROOMS was running on late on his last start as a 2yo so this increase in trip looks to be a positive although it is a big one. Best watched today for future targets.

Verdict: ARABIAN CROWN holds the best form by some way, he looks like he’ll improve from 2 to 3 and is clearly the one they all have to beat.

RISK ON

A bad single on the Gordon horse meant for a bad day yesterday. we’re playing a few today. Two to be posted now, one or two later on X:

13.15 SHAGRAAN

Supposed to have improved since joining Mick’s. We’ve heard he’s flying and undoubtedly will be the one they all have to beat today. 5/1 strong ew.

14.25 ISRAR

By the night MUHARAAR (sire of the newsletter horse featured below). Out of a champion mare , ISRAR is the highest rated in this contest. A drop in trip to 1m2f should be fine on drying ground. He ran with credit in Bahrain when second in the Bahrain Trophy back in November. Should be fit enough for this and the likely type to excel this year. 7/2 a good single.

UPDATE

Click below to meet the machine. Our update on the newsletter horse is ready below and there will be more to come as he increases his work load and starts to turn into a race horse.

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