The Flat returns to Sandown races on Friday, 25 April as the Esher venue hosts the first of two very different card. Billed in the past as the Ultimate Celebration of horse racing, the action on the level comes before the Jump Finale the following day.
A Group 2 in the bet365 Mile and two Group 3 contests, the Gordon Richards Stakes and official Sandown Classic Trial, take place on this card. Supporting those pattern races are the Esher Cup and a sprint handicap also only open to three-year-olds.
The Flat Season Opener plays a key role as this code of the sport steps up in subsequent weeks. Before Newmarket hosts its Guineas Festival and Chester its May Festival, Sandown races can give punters early pointers to stables in form.
Field sizes are small with some trainers perhaps feeling this is still early enough in the season. Future targets still lie ahead, but the Greater London track provides decent prizes for those fully primed.
We asked our experts for their views on the best value available through horse racing betting sites on the Esher action. Read on for more on the most interesting runners from six races on the card.
Sandown Races Preview for the Flat Season Opener, Friday – 25 April
1:15 – 5f Class 2 bet365 Handicap (0-100)
Queen All Star receives 1lb from Redorange, who ties in closely with her through that one. Clive Cox’s charge lacks a recent run, so the filly’s fitness edge earns her a vote over the course and distance third.
Jim Boyle new recruit Lightning Bear has some interesting juvenile form from Ireland, but hasn’t run since the autumn. Of the others, Ardennes is on the exposed side, yet won uphill at Salisbury as a juvenile. Mick Appleby’s charge needs to come on for his reappearance around Kempton, though.
1:50 – 1m Class 2 Esher Cup Handicap (0-105)
While Thunder Wonder is 4lb well-in at Sandown races despite a 6lb penalty for his Musselburgh Royal Mile success last Saturday, he only ran third to topweight DIVIDEND around Southwell previously. That one seeks a four-timer for Dr Richard Newland and clearly proved a 50/1 course maiden success last term was no fluke.
Dividend now has Hollie Doyle in the saddle, but is also worse off at the weights with old rivals San Juanito and Tilted Kilt, an eye-catching jockey booking for Ryan Moore. Seraph Gabriel and The Lost King both make their reappearances, so lack fitness compared to the other six runners.
Fifth Column broke the maiden tag for Godolphin last time, but must step up on Kempton form for his handicap debut. The Gosdens have William Buick back on board. Bottom weight Penfolds Grange has a lowly mark of 78.
2:25 – 1m 2f Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes
See The Fire scored in this grade over 1m 1f during York’s Ebor Festival and previously ran a blind when denied just a head in the Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. Following a Listed success over a mile here last term, Almaqam placed twice in France upped to this trip.
Ed Walker’s runner looks open to plenty of further progress, so rates a big threat. Horses older than five have only ever won this twice, so that stat is against Royal Champion, Peace Man and Al Aasy. Godolphin run two four-year-olds, meanwhile with Buick on Newbury flop Ancient Wisdom.
After such a poor effort, last season’s Classic Trial scorer Arabian Crown could outrun his odds back here. The Dubawi colt ran fourth in Dubai with Moore now picking up a spare ride on this course and distance winner.
3:00 – 1m Group 2 bet365 Mile
Haatem just holds off Kikkuli to win the Jersey Stakes at Royal @Ascot! pic.twitter.com/bEoaOrIQc7
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 22, 2024
Haatem stays this far too and was an unlucky head second in the Irish 2000 Guineas previously last spring. Buick now takes the ride with the owners’ retained jockey James Doyle out injured. Dancing Gemini bounced back with a successful reappearance at Doncaster, meanwhile, and steps up into tougher company now.
Roger Teal’s stable star may be able to emulate Charyn, who doubled up from Town Moor to Esher last season. Lead Artist is best of these on official figures, but may need the run. Unusually for a filly, Tamfana carries topweight and similar comments apply to her. Fellow course and distance winner Cicero’s Gift may find this race too hot to handle.
French raider Alcantor needs cut in the ground, meanwhile, and so does Ice Max. That leaves Cash, rated the same as Cicero’s Gift with joint-most to find on official figures. All the runners have something to prove, but it looks best to concentrate on those placed in Classics last year.
3:35 – 1m 2f Group 3 Sandown Classic Trial
Only five for the Classic Trial at Sandown races and, on all known form, it looks between two horses previously placed behind French Guineas hopeful Hotazhell. Of those, WINDLORD has shaped as though he’ll get this trip best for Balding and Juddmonte. After a promising debut fourth here in June, he went on to finish second in a novice and won third time out up at York.
Connections then sent Windlord to Ireland for the Group 2 Beresford Stakes. He was only beaten a length and a tail in third by the subsequent Group 1 Futurity Trophy hero. Also behind Jessica Harrington’s great Classic hope earlier in the campaign was Swagman. He’s the only Aidan O’Brien runner on the card.
Swagman, who won his maiden at Naas on a stiff uphill finish which bodes well for here, hasn’t been out since July. The longer absence is a slight concern, but his Group 3 Tyros Stakes second from Leopardstown means a mark just 1lb short of Windlord. The others are far more unexposed.
Ralph Beckett’s I Am I Said and Damysus for the Gosdens both could be anything after winning their only career starts. Connections are willing to pitch them straight in at the deep end. Both must step up on the bare form of their achievements. Beckett also runs Sir Dinadam, but there’s less upside to him.
4:10 – 1m 2f Class 2 Wild Card Fillies’ Novice Stakes
Although worse off at the weights with old rival Tattycoram now, Music Piece could have even more to offer as a three-year-old. Godolphin filly Winter’s Song also meets the Beckett runner off 6lb worse terms from Yarmouth.
Star Of Light is the last of three carrying a penalty in this contest, meanwhile. The unraced Louie’s Folly is very difficult to assess pitched straight in here by James Horton, but Rock Music makes no appeal at all off her debut fifth.
