Tag Archive for: Sandown

Artistic Star makes an impression to forward Derby case

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Derby entrant Artistic Star showed a very willing attitude to take his record to two from two and enter the Epsom picture with victory in the Darley British EBF Novice Stakes at Sandown.

The Ralph Beckett-trained, Jeff Smith-owned Galileo colt was making his three-year-old bow after winning a Nottingham maiden in October.

Stepping up to a mile and a quarter from the extended mile of that run, he saw out every yard under Rob Hornby to readily hold off Torito by a length and a quarter as the the 9-4 favourite.

Beckett – who saddled Westover to be an unlucky-in-running third in last year’s Derby – said: “He is a smashing horse. He is a May 27 foal and he has only just been ready for this now.

“We will see how we go with him, but whatever we do next we will have a load of sport with him because he is still a horse in the making I feel.

“Jeff, David (Bowe, racing manager to the owner) and I will have a chat in a fortnight’s time and see how we feel.

“We wanted to go to Lingfield (for the Derby Trial) and that opportunity was taken away from us so this was a really good spot for him.”

As well as the Derby, the winner holds an engagement in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Beckett added: “It is not a bad shout, Ascot, as Jessie Harrington had the full-sister (Forbearance) and she was adamant she needed fast ground and so if we did get into our heat of summer the King Edward VII might seem like a target.

“I’d be a little bit concerned it is only two and a half weeks until Epsom and he might just bounce.”

Slipofthepen loses unbeaten record at Sandown

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Slipofthepen had to settle for third, as Captain Winters was given a superb, enterprising ride by Neil Callan to cause an upset in the Listed Heron Stakes at Sandown.

Royal runner Slipofthepen – who came into the race unbeaten after landing two all-weather mile races at Kempton – was sent off the 4-9 favourite under James Doyle to win for the King and Queen.

However, the John and Thady Gosden-trained Night Of Thunder colt was a stride or two slow from the stalls and was still last of the quartet turning for home.

Slipofthepen and James Doyle after finishing third at Sandown
Slipofthepen and James Doyle after finishing third at Sandown (John Walton/PA)

Though he appeared to travel well as the keen Grey’s Monument set the pace, Slipofthepen did not pick up as expected.

Callan stole a march on the Kevin Ryan-trained 12-1 outsider approaching two furlongs out and with Finn’s Charm – who had beaten him 10 lengths at Musselburgh – folding quickly, it was left to the long-time leader to keep up the challenge.

Though Captain Winters tired near the line, he just had enough to score by a fast-diminishing nose.

Gosden senior pointed towards the ground playing its part in Slipofthepen’s reverse.

“He just found the ground a little tacky. He is a horse that loves top of the ground,” he said.

“He just laboured in the ground and he didn’t have his usual zip. But you are coming from the all-weather to his first race on turf which is a big difference.

“It is a good stiff track Sandown and he didn’t float off the ground. He was a little bit keen, but I’m not blaming that. The ground was just a little bit tacky for him.

“We will see how he is when he gets home then make plans.”

Of the winner, Ryan said: “I’m delighted with him. Off his rating he did have a bit of work to do, but we thought a lot of him last year.

“He is from a family that generally improves with age. You could put a line through his run last time at Musselburgh as I just thought the track didn’t suit him.

“I think he is a horse that just saves a bit for himself, but if you think you have a good horse it is worth pitching them in to good races.

“I don’t go into races like this to make up the numbers. If I’m wrong, then I’m wrong.

“We will have a chat with Sheikh (Mohammed) Obaid (Al Maktoum) over the next few days and see what to do.

“There could be options to go over to France with him, while we will also see what options there are at home. It is nice to have opportunities to make such plans.”

Graceful Thunder shows plenty of dash on Sandown bow

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Graceful Thunder gave owners Amo Racing their eighth juvenile winner from 19 runners when showing plenty of determination to land the Chasemore Farm British EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes at Sandown.

Trained by George Boughey, the daughter of Havana Grey knew her job on debut, breaking well under Kevin Stott in the five-furlong contest.

Though a little keen early from a wide draw, she settled and travelled well as Miss Show Off set the pace on the far rail.

Having hit the front inside the final furlong, the 7-2 shot was immediately challenged by Flora Of Bermuda, yet knuckled down well to score by a neck from long-time leader Miss Show Off, with Say Hello staying on in eyecatching fashion to snatch third, just a head further back.

Royal Ascot now beckons, as Boughey explained.

“She had only done two or three bits of work since she joined us, but she has pleased us with what she has done. It was not a huge surprise that she won, but we had not asked her any serious questions at home,” he said.

“Drawn where she was looked an inconvenience, but she jumped well from the gate and she showed a super attitude which is something Havana Grey seems to be putting into them.

“We could have gone for an easy option up north and won by four lengths, but these horses need to learn if they are going to go to the Royal meeting and she will have learnt more winning like that today.

“She looks to have plenty of pace and looks a five-furlong filly. We will take it one step at a time, but I’d say we will be looking at the Queen Mary with her and I don’t think there is any point seeing her again before that.”

Cinnodin and David Egan (pink silks) came from off the pace to score
Cinnodin and David Egan (pink silks) came from off the pace to score (John Walton/PA)

Cinnodin (3-1) came from last to first under David Egan to take the Athlone Handicap.

Winner of two low-grade all-weather handicaps at Southwell and Wolverhampton, he was foiled by half a length in his hat-trick bid at Wetherby last time, but bounced back to winning ways in style for trainer Richard Hughes.

The 11-8 favourite Roost left his race at the start, when his head was caught over the adjacent stall and when finally extracted by Hector Crouch, his rivals had already gone almost a furlong ahead.

Steven Seagull set the pace before being passed by Enochdhu with two furlongs to race, but Cinnodin lengthened well and swept by to score going away by two and a half lengths.

Hughes said: “I don’t normally like going a mile and three-quarters with a three-year-old this early on, but he would get two miles tomorrow as he is an out-and-out stayer.

“He is pretty one-paced, but I think he will get quicker as he gets stronger. He was getting a stone off the top two, but at the same time I love the way he devoured the hill.”

Golden Arrow pointing towards Sandown before Royal Ascot

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Golden Arrow, who created a highly favourable impression when scoring on debut at Hamilton on Sunday, will head to the Listed National Stakes at Sandown on Thursday week.

Alice Haynes is eyeing Royal Ascot following the Havana Grey juvenile’s three-quarter-length victory in the five-furlong Sky Bet Sunday Series EBF Maiden Stakes, and is keen to give the colt more experience beforehand.

Having made smooth headway against four rivals under Kieran O’Neill, Golden Arrow led a furlong out and kept on strongly at the first time of asking for owners Al Mohamediya Racing.

“It was a fantastic performance,” said Haynes. “He is all speed and will sharpen up a lot from that.

“The front two had the experience and I liked how he was behind the bridle the whole way and then came through at the end.

“Although he was a breeze-up horse, I quite like my two-year-olds to be behind the bridle, so they are not doing too much, and then to finish like that.”

The in-form Newmarket handler, who started training in 2021, is keen to head to the Royal meeting with the colt, who cost £200,000 at the breeze-ups.

“He will have an entry in the National Stakes before Royal Ascot, as I think it is important he goes and gets a bit more valid experience. He will probably be Norfolk Stakes-bound,” added Haynes.

“Thursday week will come around quickly and hopefully the ground will dry out a bit more. We might get some summer ground soon. We look forward to seeing ‘good’ in the ground.

“He is an exciting prospect and it is good for the owners, who are new with me.

“He was one of the more expensive ones, but Havana Greys are a real a pleasure to train.”

Slipofthepen can write his ticket to Ascot with Sandown victory

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Slipofthepen will bid to punch his ticket to Royal Ascot when he takes on three rivals in the Heron Stakes at Sandown on Tuesday evening.

The unbeaten colt, who is owned by the King and Queen, is a general 16-1 chance for the Betfred Derby a fortnight on Saturday.

However, it seems likely that Slipofthepen, who will be ridden by James Doyle, will bypass the Epsom Classic and head to the Royal meeting, where he holds an entry in the St James’s Palace Stakes.

Slipofthepen after winning at Kempton
Slipofthepen after winning at Kempton (Jockey Club)

The son of Night Of Thunder won a novice race over a mile on debut at Kempton in November.

He returned to the same all-weather course and distance to score with some ease in a conditions event last month, yet Sunday’s Poule d’Essai des Poulins at ParisLongchamp came a little too quickly.

The King’s racing manager, John Warren, said: “We were disappointed not to get Slipofthepen to the French 2000 Guineas, but the ground was too heavy for such a good-moving colt.

“We are hoping for a good showing so that we can find out where he sits to be aimed at Royal Ascot.

“John Gosden thinks he is a pretty smart colt, so we are treating him with plenty of respect.”

Slipofthepen has a little to find on ratings with the Ralph Beckett-trained Grey’s Monument, who won twice last season as a juvenile and signed off with a runner-up finish in the Group Two Horris Hill at Newbury.

He tackles a mile for only the second time in eight starts, having opened his Classic campaign with a 19-length defeat by subsequent French Guineas runner-up Isaac Shelby in the Greenham back at the Berkshire track.

Beckett said: “The track and ground should suit him. He’s in great shape and he’s come on for his seasonal debut and we’re looking forward to seeing him on a round track.

Ralph Beckett feels Grey's Monument will improve for his recent Newbury run
Ralph Beckett feels Grey’s Monument will improve for his recent Newbury run (Mike Egerton/PA)

“I don’t think he got bogged down in the mud (in the Greenham). I just think he needed it.

“It will be only his second run over a mile, but arguably it was his best run at York when he won over this trip, so we’re looking forward to it.”

The Charlie Johnston-trained Finn’s Charm, who won a decent mile handicap at Musselburgh on his return, and Captain Winters, who was 10 lengths behind him on his seasonal bow, complete the field for the Listed contest.

Desert Crown remains on course for Sandown return

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Last year’s Derby hero Desert Crown will make his long-awaited comeback in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown on Thursday week, connections have confirmed.

The unbeaten son of Nathaniel has not been seen since defeating Hoo Ya Mal at Epsom in June, having suffered an ankle injury.

However, the unseasonably wet spring has caused problems for many trainers, with Sir Michael Stoute unable to use Newmarket’s grass gallops.

The Saeed Suhail-owned Desert Crown will still take his chance in the 10-furlong contest, however.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to the owner, said: “He runs in the Brigadier for sure.

“We have tried to get him on the grass, but everywhere is closed, so we might have to use something on Racecourse Side, I don’t know. I can’t think it will be any issue.

“But he is in good shape, the horse looks good and all has gone to plan, from what I have been told.”

The Brigadier Gerard is a race Stoute has farmed over the years, winning it 11 times – most recently with Bay Bridge last year, who went on to land the Champion Stakes.

Claymore primed for Brigadier Gerard return

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Royal Ascot winner Claymore, off the track since July, will make his return in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown on May 25, with the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe a potential long-term target.

The Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained colt could face last year’s returning Derby winner Desert Crown in what is shaping up into a mouthwatering renewal of the 10-furlong Group Three race.

Claymore defeated the highly-touted Reach For The Moon in the Hampton Court at Royal Ascot in June, but suffered a setback after finishing fourth to Sir Busker in the York Stakes the following month, and was not seen thereafter.

Chapple-Hyam said: “Claymore is going for the Brigadier Gerard. He just got very jarred up at York.

“We got him ready to run at the Arc meeting and then it went bog-soft everywhere. It went from one extreme to the other, so we decided to pull the pin and have a lovely four-year-old for this year.”

A son of New Bay, Claymore finished runner-up to subsequent Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Native Trail in the Craven on his first outing last year before a wide draw and very soft ground scuppered his chances in the French Guineas.

Should all go well at Sandown, Chapple-Hyam will likely return to Ascot and raised the possibility of an Arc bid.

She added: “We will see what we do in the Brigadier Gerard, but he is in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot and I don’t know, is he a 50-1 shot for the Arc?

“The entries were on Tuesday and we’ve put him in – there’s no harm. You just don’t know if he’ll make the cut, but better to be there than having to supplement.”

Meanwhile, the Peter Harris-owned Mill Stream could head straight to the Commonwealth Cup.

The Gleneagles colt was narrowly defeated by subsequent Gimcrack scorer Noble Style in a Newmarket novice last season, before going on to finish fourth to this season’s 2000 Guineas winner Chaldean, over seven furlongs, in York’s Group Three Acomb last August.

However, his trainer believes he is a sprinter and will send him straight to the Royal meeting.

Chapple-Hyam said: “We are dropping him back to six furlongs. He could go straight to the Commonwealth Cup. I don’t think there is a race available for him, so he’ll probably tootle off for a racecourse gallop somewhere.”

Jane Chapple-Hyam/Ascot
Jane Chapple-Hyam is targeting the Royal meeting again (Simon Milham/PA)

Royal Hunt Cup runner-up Intellogent will bid to go one better in the same race next month and will have his prep run in a Newbury handicap on Saturday week. The eight-year-old was fourth to Ottoman Fleet on his return in a nine-furlong Group Three contest at Newmarket last month.

“He just got tired in the Earl of Sefton,” said the trainer. “He’s probably not a Group horse any more, but he likes these big fields.

“He did well at Ascot and was then third in the John Smith’s York. He’ll do the Hunt Cup and John Smith’s again.”

Meanwhile, the full-brother to Chapple-Hyam’s Group One winner Saffron Beach, who was sold for 3.6million guineas at the end of last season, arrived with the Newmarket handler on Tuesday morning.

Granger Bay, who fetched €450,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale, will run in the colours of Fiona Carmichael, having been in pre-training with Malcolm Bastard.

Saffron Beach won two top-class races for the trainer, who will also condition her full brother
Saffron Beach won two top-class races for the trainer, who will also condition her full brother (David Davies/PA)

“I am a very lucky lady to be given the honour to train him,” said Chapple-Hyam. “He was bought from the Goffs sales and sent to Malcolm to be broken in.

“We felt we didn’t want to rush him into a training yard in January or February as is the normal time slot, we said wait until after the Guineas, so he arrived on Tuesday morning.

“Fiona also has Intellogent and Aplomb in the yard. It was really nice to get the call and I’m very happy with the squad I’ve got this year.”

Vadeni entered for Eclipse defence at Sandown

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Last year’s winner Vadeni leads the way with 48 horses entered for the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on July 8.

Jean-Claude Rouget’s charge became the first French-trained winner since 1960 when fending off the now-retired Mishriff and Native Trail in a thrilling finish, with just half a length separating the trio at the end of 10 furlongs.

Vadeni went on to finish third in the Irish Champion Stakes and second in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, but he looked in need of his return when only fourth in the Prix Ganay last month.

Desert Crown has been off the track since winning the Derby
Desert Crown has been off the track since winning the Derby (Tim Goode/PA)

Sir Michael Stoute’s Champion Stakes hero Bay Bridge was third that day and he is entered for the Sandown Group One, along with stablemate Desert Crown, who has been off the track since winning the Derby at Epsom last June.

Vadeni, Bay Bridge and Desert Crown share the status of Coral’s 5-1 co-favourites with Charlie Appleby’s Adayar, who made an impressive return at Newmarket on Friday, and the Aidan O’Brien-trained Luxembourg, winner of the Irish Champion.

O’Brien also has 2000 Guineas disappointment Auguste Rodin among the leading lights at this stage, while Point Lonsdale is another Ballydoyle inmate who is prominent in the betting after a faultless return in the Alleged Stakes.

Emily Upjohn was a Champions Day victory
Emily Upjohn was a Champions Day victory (John Walton/PA)

John and Thady Gosden have Group One winners Emily Upjohn and Nashwa in the entries, with Francesco Clemente – unbeaten in three but yet to be tried beyond handicap level – another key Clarehaven name.

The Owen Burrows-trained Anmaat chased home Adayar at Newmarket and he also features along with Greenham winner Isaac Shelby, last year’s Irish Derby champion Westover and Joseph O’Brien’s pair of Al Riffa and Buckaroo.

Aidan O’Brien dominates the contenders numerically with 13 entered, the Gosden team has five to pick from – the same number as Rouget – and Appleby having four possibles.

Select performance sees Knappers Hill on top

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Knappers Hill spoiled the Tom O’Brien farewell as Paul Nicholls’ charge landed the bet365 Select Hurdle at Sandown.

O’Brien, who had announced he was hanging up his riding boots after a stellar career with trainer Philip Hobbs, looked to have a solid chance aboard Thyme Hill, who on official ratings had 10lb in hand on his rivals as he switched disciplines following a modest run in the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival.

And O’Brien looked well-poised as he tracked the sedate pace set by the mare Theatre Glory in the extended two-mile-five-furlong affair.

However, there was to be no fairytale farewell for O’Brien, as the race turned into something of a sprint.

O’Brien and Thyme Hill were tight for room and tapped for toe at the second-last, where Knappers Hill and Bryony Frost picked up well, having initially sat at the back of the quintet.

Frost, replacing Harry Cobden, who stood himself down following a fall earlier in the afternoon, seized her chance, with the seven-year-old, winner of the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton in November, picking up in great style.

Knappers Hill (11-2) stayed on well up the hill after the last and just had enough to repel the late thrust of Goshen, who had to be switched to challenge.

Gary Moore’s runner, who was a neck behind, could be considered somewhat unlucky not to record a third course success. O’Brien bowed out with a third-place finish.

Celebrating a winner on the day he was officially crowned champion for the 14th time, Nicholls said: “We were a bit worried about the ground and we were in one mind whether to run him or not, because the only time he’s been disappointing was here in the EBF Final on soft ground.

“We rode him different today and just took our time, I said to Bryony to let him creep into things and hope they don’t go too quick and see if he gets the trip and he did. He’ll go chasing next year, he’ll be a nice type for things like the Rising Stars at Wincanton so we’re looking forward to that now.”

Frost added: “We just took our time. He’s got so much ability and it was very easy. We cruised through in a little field and I enjoyed every moment of his jumping.

“Turning in the speed we hit was awesome, he’s a quality horse and he’s going to make some chaser next year. I couldn’t believe it was going our way, it’s probably the first race all day that has. It’s fantastic for the owners and this crowd is great.”

Hewick returns to Sandown to plunder Oaksey Chase

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Hewick justified Shark Hanlon’s decision to bypass the Punchestown Gold Cup and also not defend his bet365 Gold Cup crown, as he took the Grade Two Oaksey Chase at Sandown under Rachael Blackmore.

The eight-year-old, who won the American Grand National Hurdle at Far Hills in October, was going well in front in the Cheltenham Gold Cup when he suffered a heavy fall when last seen.

Hanlon decided to swerve Punchestown as a result and his astute placement paid dividends – not that it was as easy the 6-5 favourite’s odds would suggest.

Hewick was bowling along in front, pestered by First Flow, when he made a mistake early on the final circuit in the extended two-and-three-quarter-mile affair.

Blackmore had to be patient thereafter and it was not until three out that he got back on terms.

The 11-year-old First Flow still had an advantage in front under David Bass, yet Blackmore persisted and a scintillating jump at the last, where the pair came close together, saw the pair take over and Hewick’s stamina kicked in. He ground out the victory margin to four lengths at the line.

Hanlon said: “I’m thinking the whole time should have I gone for the be365 Gold Cup, but just with the fall he got at Cheltenham I thought this was the right thing to do for the horse to give him a confidence boost. His season is only starting because he is a summer horse.

“Rachael was absolutely brilliant as she always is. I’m very sorry for Jordan (Gainford) that he is not here as he has made the horse for us. He will be back, and Rachael knows he will be back but until he does come back we have a great sub.

“He always comes off the bridle. There is no race he has ever run in that he didn’t come off the bridle. He came off the bridle at Cheltenham, but Jordan said three strides before the fence he was coming back on the bridle again. There is one thing we know about him is that he would have come up the hill.

“I don’t know if we were good enough to beat Willie’s (Mullins horse, Galopin Des Champs), but we would have been knocking on the door for second or third.

“He is back here today in front of a great crowd and on a lovely track. The ground was a little bit soft for him, but there is nothing that can be done about that. This morning I came across on the flight and I said that I was glad I had him in this race not the bet365 Gold Cup because of the ground being that little bit softer.

“He got home a little bit quicker than I got off our Aer Lingus flight today as we were delayed by four hours from Dublin and I thought we would never get here. We are here, but it may take us four hours to get home now.

“He stays and stays and Rachael is so good at thinking. When he made his mistake she took him back and filled himself up and the next thing he came back on the bridle again. That is what is he does. He is a miracle horse. He has been some horse for me.”

Of the next adventure for horse and trainer, Hanlon added: “I’ve something planned, but I’m not going to say it yet. You will see it in time. I’ve a plan going out for him in six weeks’ time. It won’t be in England or Ireland. He will have to go back to America but we might go somewhere else with him.

“Have horse, will travel.”