Listed races at Sandown

Sandown, where there is a strong field for tomorrow´s Eclipse Stakes despite the late withdrawal of So You Think (lame and now retired) also offers an above-average Friday card with two listed races. The first at 15.50 CET is a 5 furlongs sprint for 2yo´s and Morawij (Roger Varian/ Neil Callan), who ran an excellent race at Royal Ascot when a close fourth in the Norfolk Stakes, stands out on form. The filly Lasilia (Kevin Ryan/ Richard Hughes) also ran well in a different race at the royal meeting and looks the main danger.

The other race, for 3yo´s and up over 10 furlongs at 17.00, looks much more open. The consistent Afsare (Luca Cumani/ Kieren Fallon) is the likely favourite, but he has not won for two years; however he is lightly-raced and has frequently showed up well in better races than this. Songcraft (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori), one of two Godolphin runners, is top-rated but has not run since the Meydan meeting. He had no chance in the Sheema Classic but won his previous 4 races. Hamdan al Maktoum also has two runners, of which we prefer Farhaan (John Dunlop/ William Buick), although he carries the second colours. The Dunlop stable, after a very slow start to the season, is coming into form and this lightly-raced colt looks capable of great improvement.

We hope that this is the case as Dunlop also has fancied runners at Doncaster - Korngold (Ryan Moore), who is owned by Benny Andersson of ABBA fame, at 17.45, and this evening at Haydock - Estebsaal (Tagdh O´Shea) at 21.45. Ryan Moore´s presence at Doncaster is mainly due to the Queen´ s runner Sequence (Sir Michael Stoute) in the 1 1/2 mile handicap at 17.10 and this lightly-raced half-sister to Sinndar can win on her first foray into handicap company.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Oldjoesaid - Ray Of Joy - Fair Value
2. Race: Morawij - Lasilia - Star Breaker
3. Race: Caramack - Royal Skies - Harry Bosch
4. Race: Afsare - Songcraft - Tazahum
5. Race: Encke - Chain Of Events - Tropical Beat
6. Race: Knightly Escapade - Mohanad - Rosairlie