Sandown races: tips, racecards and previews for Saturday’s card on the Esher turf as the Solario Stakes takes centre stage
THE Solario Stakes pits some of the best two-year-olds against each other over Sandown’s 7f.
There are some cracking supporting races, too, and we’ve got you covered with a race-by-race preview and top tips.
Race 1 – 1.50 Play 4 To Score At Betway Handicap
A tricky opener and one that could go to class-dropper JUSTANOTHERBOTTLE.
Declan Carroll’s five-year-old has run well in some big races (5th in the Stewards’ Cup) and will love this drop to a 0-95.
With bags of early speed the wide draw shouldn’t be an issue and he’s dropped to a mark 2lb lower than when last successful.
Only Spoofing has notched up a few good efforts of late and although the handicapper looked to have caught up on his latest start, he’s not yet fully exposed.
Tinto also has a big run in him if getting out from his wide berth.
SELECTION: Justanotherbottle
WATCH OUT FOR: Only Spoofing
Race 2 – 2.25 Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap
COUNTRY doesn’t yet look the finished article and a 5lb rise could prove lenient for his dominant display at Redcar last time.
He quickened into the lead in the style of a very good horse and could be pattern class before the season’s out.
Migration was impressive at this track last time but could struggle off this high a mark, while Solid Stone is not to be discounted for his master trainer.
SELECTION: Justanotherbottle
WATCH OUT FOR: Only Spoofing
Race 3 – 3.00 Betway Atalanta Stakes
This is JUBILOSO’S to lose.
She’s rated 5lb clear of the field and may well have won at Glorious Goodwood last time out had she not got boxed in.
Her third in the Coronation Cup is form way above that of her rivals and she’ll take the world of beating here, improvement notwithstanding.
Duneflower was impressive in Listed company at Ascot last time out and is likely to prove capable of landing a prize of this calibre in the near future, though may find this coming a little soon.
Lavender’s Blue is better than her performance in the Oaks and definitely has a chance of picking up some place money.
SELECTION: Jubiloso
WATCH OUT FOR: Duneflower
Race 4 – 3.35 Betway Solario Stakes
The feature race on the card could well go the way of favourite POSITIVE.
Clive Cox’s two-year-old may not have to improve on his Vintage Stakes second to win this, considering he finished 5l clear of smart colt Lope Y Fernandez and 8l clear of the re-opposing Visinari.
He’s only had two starts and is sure to progress again.
Al Suhail has had just two starts and it is very much an unknown quantity after bolting up at 1-6 last time out, but Kameko could be the one to trouble the selection if coming on from his impressive debut.
SELECTION: Positive
WATCH OUT FOR: Kameko
Race 5 – 4.10 Betway Nursery Handicap
MAC MCCARTHY was very impressive in weaker company at Ffos Las last time out and could well defy a rise in the weights here.
He’s been raised a stone but was visually exciting and could be better than even this grade.
Forbidden Land and Imperial Empire are interesting on their handicap debuts, but it could be Moolhim who lays down the biggest challenge after his impressive win at Chelmsford last time out.
SELECTION: Mac McCarthy
WATCH OUT FOR: Moolhim
Race 6 – 4.45 Betway Live Casino Handicap
A competitive little contest that could see ELIGIBLE back to winning ways returned to the scene of his success last month.
He was impressive over C&D before finding a stop-start gallop in a small field on the all-weather against him last time.
Siglo Six probably has more in his current mark after just five starts and and can go well, while Biotic’s effort last time should be ignored and he has claims on his previous form.
SELECTION: Eligible
WATCH OUT FOR: Siglo Six
Race 7 – 5.20 Betway Casino Handicap
DUBAI INSTINCT is definitely worth another chance on his maiden win at Nottingham in April.
He was outclassed in the London Gold Cup at Newbury but this is much weaker and he should have plenty more in the tank given he’s so lightly raced.
Simoon has struggled recently but is now down to a workable mark, while Cheer The Title also has claims.