The strength of Sandown’s Classic Trial has varied wildly over the years but the 2021 renewal turned out to be, well, a classic, with Adayar, the subsequent Derby and King George winner, finishing half a length behind Alenquer while Yibir, the Breeders’ Cup Turf winner in November, was a neck away in third.
The race will be knocking on the door of Group Two status if the first four home this year turn out to be as good as the class of 21 and there is certainly a wealth of potential in the seven-runner field.
Charlie Appleby’s Goldspur is top on the ratings and the likely favourite having run third in a Group One at St Cloud in October but the potential improvers include River Thames, from the Aidan O’Brien stable, and David Simcock’s Cash (3.35).
Cash fell out of the stalls on his only start at two, a one-mile maiden at Newmarket, but showed an excellent turn of foot to make up several lengths in the final two furlongs and win with something to spare. His pedigree suggests 10 furlongs could be a minimum this season and he looks like the pick of the prices at around 7-1.
Sandown Park 1.20 Auditor has as much potential for progress as anything in the field after a convincing four-length win at Windsor on his final start at two. The time of that race was strong and an opening mark of 89 could be lenient.
Sandown Park 1.50 A warm renewal of the Esher Cup, with Wanees perhaps the pick of the lightly raced three-year-olds. He made rapid progress over three races in a seven-week period at two, should improve for the step up to a mile and starts his handicapping career on a fair mark.
Perth 2.05 Platinumcard made short work of six rivals on his handicap debut at Ayr this month and a repeat performance from a 7lb higher mark looks likely.
Sandown Park 2.25 Just three runners to run for a £45,000 first prize and the lack of an obvious pacemaker could see it turn into a tactical affair. Mostahdaf is the only one with obvious potential to progress towards the top end of Group-class company but is unlikely to set off at a backable price.
Doncaster 1.00 Mashaan 1.40 Saisons D'Or 2.15 Yukon Mission 2.50 Chiellini 3.25 Bay Breeze 4.00 Lynns Boy 4.30 Yagood 5.05 Madame Ambassador
Sandown Park 1.20 Auditor 1.50 Wanees (nb) 2.25 Mostahdaf 3.00 Alcohol Free 3.35 Cash 4.10 Oblong Song 4.40 Giavellotto
Perth 1.30 Knickerbockerglory 2.05 Platinumcard 2.40 School Lane (nap) 3.15 Into Overdrive 3.45 Minella Trump 4.18 The Jad Factor 4.53 Split The Bill
Southwell 4.35 Jamacho 5.10 Steel Wave 5.40 Ilary de L'Ecu 6.10 The Vollan 6.40 Flaming Ambition 7.10 Kilganer Queen 7.40 Mahanakhon Power
Chepstow 4.45 La Renommee 5.20 Take Em Out 5.50 Itacare 6.20 Pink Eyed Pedro 6.50 Natty Night 7.20 Gats And Co 7.50 Welsby
Perth 2.40 Not a single favourite has won the William Hill Highland National in its 19-year history and the latest renewal appears typically unpredictable. That said, Irish-trained School Lane looks to have been laid out for this race and showed enough in a warm-up over a much shorter trip in March to suggest he may be overpriced at around 16-1.
Sandown Park 3.00 Alcohol Free is the class act in this field, with two Group One victories last year to add to her Cheveley Park Stakes success at two. She has plenty in hand on her rivals and also goes well fresh, having won the Fred Darling first time up last season.
