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THERE is some competitive racing on Friday at Sandown and I’ll be disappointed if HELFIRE (4.25) doesn’t contribute to the weekend pot by landing a fairly weak fillies’ handicap.
4.25 Sandown
Hughie Morrison’s four-year-old is consistently on the premises and she had the misfortune to run into a bang in form Lord Clenaghcastle at Brighton. She had earlier finished third to Mittens at Ascot and on a line through fifth horse Patti, she holds one of today’s main rivals Here’s Two. Yesterday’s Musselburgh winner Tirania ran fourth to Mittens at Ascot, so the form is very solid.
Here’s Two has a liking for softer ground and would be dangerous if the heavens open. With so many showers around it is vital to keep a close eye on track conditions, but the forecast is for dry/warm weather.
3.55 Sandown
ELUCIDATION (3.55) is worth chancing on his reappearance for Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore.
The gelding has been off the track since finishing fifth in a Class 2 handicap at Chelmsford City in May. Elucidation was sent off an 11-8 favourite on that occasion following a promising seasonal debut in a hot handicap at Newmarket won by Middle Kingdom.
Both those runs came over 1m 2f and Stoute drops him back to a mile. Elucidation made all the running when landing his maiden at Leicester last September (good to soft) but I doubt Moore will try to lead here with confirmed trailblazer Pillar Of Society in opposition.
Richard Hannon’s gelding nicked a race from the front at Newmarket, building a big lead and holding on bravely from Don’t Give Up. Pillar Of Society has plenty of solid form, including a wide-margin success at Windsor in June when again making all the running, but seems at his very best with some juice underfoot.
This is a handicap with some depth to it and John Gosden’s Frankel filly Icespire hasn’t been seen since finishing last to Mori at Goodwood back in May. Something must have been amiss that day as Icespire had looked useful when winning her maiden at Salisbury (soft).
Archetype is a dual course winner; Robin Weathers won on his debut at Salisbury for William Haggas (good to firm); Madeleine Bond is on a four-timer after wins in lesser grade at Bath, Newbury and Chepstow; and Harvest Wind makes his handicap debut after three placed efforts for Clive Cox.
5.00 Sandown
RISING (5.00) was off the track for four months before making an eye-catching return at Nottingham.
Brian Meehan’s gelding was no match for the impressive Sharja Bridge but he travelled well for a long way under Graham Lee. The form of Rising’s previous start behind Tamleek at Newmarket in April has worked out very well as that maiden was stacked with subsequent winners.
Recommended bets
- Sandown – Helfire (4.25) 5/1 Betfred
- Sandown – Elucidation (3.55) 9/2 Coral
- Sandown – Rising (5.00) 6/1 Bet365, Skybet
In December 2020 we sadly 
