IT looks like being the Bride’s big day at Sandown.
The Listed Coral Distaff is an ideal opportunity for BRIDESTONES (3.00) to get back in the spotlight.
John and Thady Gosden’s filly finished down the field in the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot but that doesn’t tell the whole story.
To start with, she was drawn on the unfavoured far side. When she made smooth progress looking like she might lead her group home, she was nearly knocked over as things got very bit tight.
That was her first run on fast ground and she seemed to like it. Have 2pts win at 9-2.
RAASEL (1.50) landed the Coral Charge 12 months ago before running Royal Ascot winner Khaadem to a neck in the Group 2 King George Stakes at Goodwood.
It hasn’t happened for Mick Appleby’s sprinter so far this season but he’s had some wretched luck with the draw. He’s copped a much better stall this time and he looks sure to put up a right fight in his defence of this Group 3 trophy. Have 2pts each-way at 10-1. Several bookies are paying out on four places.
Later on Sandown’s Eclipse card, MOKTASAAB (4.15) looks overpriced.
He hasn’t shown much this season but he was caught wide at Chelmsford last time and his two previous starts came when his trainer, William Knight, was struggling for winners.
The yard is in better form now and this five-year-old, owned by Harry Redknapp, has become well treated after those below-par efforts.
He stays further than this 1m2f distance but he is probably at his best over this trip. Have 1pt each-way at 14-1. Plenty of bookies are going four places.
The bet365 Old Newton Cup is the big race at Haydock, where MAKSUD (3.15) could well bounce back to form.
He had some smart form last season and he was really well backed to land the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.
Although he faded right out of it in the closing stages he had sat much too close to a furious early gallop.
There doesn’t appear to be anywhere near as much pace in this race, so he should be able to show his true colours. Have 1pt each-way at 7-1. A couple of bookies are stretching to six places.
