Contributor
Loading ...
There are Gordon Richards Stakes betting tips and more from Sandown's first major Flat card of the season below. This Friday's action also includes the Sandown Mile, Classic Trial and Esher Cup. With Palace Pier odds-on for the former, see which other horses Betting.co.uk experts go for...
In the feature race for older horses, the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes over a mile-and-a-quarter (14:25), Highest Ground appeals most. Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, who has a fabulous record in the race and a reputation for improving horses with age, this four-year-old has plenty going for him.
Lightly-raced like some of his rivals, Highest Ground is two from two on sounder surfaces. He beat the re-opposing Waldkonig at Haydock on reappearance last season in decisive fashion. The runner-up had finished third to globetrotting hero Mishriff on his previous start, so the form has a strong look.
Highest Ground then found Thunderous, another who re-opposes, a neck too good with some cut in the ground at York. Last year's Dante Stakes wasn't a Classic trial as usual, but a standalone race. As the son of Frankel then ran well below par at Newmarket in October, softer going doesn't suit him.
However, Highest Ground now gets the fast conditions he needs. Stoute has won this 10 times in his illustrious training career, more than any other handler in history. With Ryan Moore again taking the ride, who is two from three on him, Highest Ground gets the vote at 3/1 with Betfair for Gordon Richards Stakes success.
In the Esher Cup Handicap for three-year-olds over a mile earlier on the card (13:50), Dingle looks worth a wager. Trained by Richard Hannon, this Footstepsinthesand colt is still a maiden on turf but that doesn't tell the whole story. The from of his third at York's Ebor Festival last August has worked out well.
Naval Crown, who won the Convivial Maiden Stakes on the Knavesmire, has since beaten 2000 Guineas contender Master Of The Seas at Meydan in a Listed contest. He also finished second to Tactical in the European Free Handicap. The runner-up from York, Tawleed, and fourth home, Rich Dream, both also won next time out.
As Dingle went in himself on the all-weather at Kempton on his handicap debut and final start as a juvenile, he is capable of winning. That half-length success over Recovery Run, who beat Classic Trial runner Lone Eagle earlier in his career, reads well for a horse who is off an unchanged mark of 86 from an unlucky third on reappearance.
Dingle should strip fitter for that Newbury outing over seven furlongs seven days before the Gordon Richards Stakes card. He found himself hampered in the final half-furlong, but is 2lb well-in to this. On that basis, Dingle could be the value bet at 13/2 with William Hill now stepping back up in trip.
In the Group 2 Sandown Classic Trial over 10 furlongs (15:35), Sir Lucan could have more to offer as a three-year-old. Trained in Ireland by Aidan O'Brien, who has won this before, the Camelot colt caught the eye when a never nearer four-length fourth to High Definition in the Beresford Stakes last autumn.
The way Sir Lucan shaped that day and when breaking his maiden tag at Cork suggests he wants a step up in trip. An extra quarter-mile over the Gordon Richards Stakes course and distance promises to suit him, then. Many inmates of Ballydoyle also come into their own as three-year-olds.
In a race where fellow powerful owners Godolphin run three, the Coolmore partnership of Tabor, Smith and Magnier rely on Sir Lucan alone. Given the progress he made with each run as a juvenile, there could be plenty more to come. Moore now takes the ride for the first time and that looks significant.
Many are in with chances for this Classic Trial, but Sir Lucan has the pedigree and connections to make his presence felt. He looks a solid each-way play at 8/1 with Unibet for this Sandown event, which could be a springboard to bigger and better things.
Users must be 18+. If you are having trouble with gambling then help and advice can be found at begambleaware.org. Please Play Responsibly.
Trading financial products carries a high risk to your capital, especially trading leverage products such as CFDs. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times.