Five key horses to follow at Sandown on Thursday evening
By Gavin Beech
Last Updated: Wed 22 May 2024
Gavin Beech highlights some key names to note on Brigadier Gerard evening at Sandown on Thursday, live on Racing TV.
Hawaiian
Race: 6.37pm - Orbital Veterinary Services National Stakes
It’s nine years since Richard Hannon last sent out a National Stakes winner but connections will surely be more than hopeful that Hawaiian can end that drought.
The son of Kodiac, who attracted strong support beforehand, travelled through his Newbury debut like a smart horse.
He was made to work hard late on but the runner-up and the fourth have both won since, while several of the others have subsequently run well in defeat, giving the form a strong feel.
Hawaiian has been the subject of some glowing recent reports from the Hannon camp so, although he’s up against five previous winners - three of which are unbeaten - it will be disappointing if he can’t take this en route to Royal Ascot.
Trueshan
Race: 7.07pm - Chasemore Farm Henry II Stakes
No horse running at Sandown on Thursday is officially rated higher than Trueshan (115), who is looking to build on his 9-length fourth to Coltrane at Ascot earlier in the month.
The concession of 7lb and upwards to his six rivals makes this Group 3 assignment quite tricky, not least as he has ground to make on both Caius Chorister and Sweet William from Ascot.
However, as an 8-year-old, it’s reasonable to expect him to have needed that first run more than his younger rivals, in which case he could find enough improvement to give this a good shot.
Alan King's stable star won't have any excuses on the ground front and, if Hollie Doyle elects to be positive on him, he could take some catching.
Isle Of Jura
Race: 7.37pm - Chasemore Farm Brigadier Gerard Stakes
Isle Of Jura was one of the stars of the winter, winning two big handicap pots for the George Scott team out in Bahrain, most recently when swooping home from off the pace in the Listed King Of Bahrain.
Because he’s been kept on the go, this improving 4yo might just have a fitness edge over main market rival Royal Rhyme, although there is only 1lb between them on official figures, in any case.
It will be interesting to see whether this smaller field scenario is as suitable for Isle Of Jura, especially if they go steady, but ratings suggest he’ll go close, at the very least, if he can run to anywhere near his best.
Almaqam
Race: 8.12pm - Chasemore Farm Stud Staff Heron Stakes
The Group One-entered Almaqam could turn out to be a very important horse for Ed Walker and his Lambourn team.
The Lope De Vega colt won his Yarmouth maiden with something in hand, running hard through the line despite still looking green.
He held a Betfred Derby entry at the time but, even though he won’t be at Epsom next week, he may well still turn up at the top table soon if he was to come through this test with flying colours.
Connections don’t seem to be entirely sure what sort of trip he wants, given his entries in the 1m St James’s Palace Stakes and the 1m4f Irish Derby (also in the Eclipse), but it can be taken as a positive that they believe Almaqam is potentially very high class.
This looks a warm Listed contest, so anything that wins impressively will likely end up in Group 1’s.
Regheeb
Race: 8.42pm - Horse Kick Cider Whitsun Cup Handicap
In what looks a wide-open finale, the lightly-raced Regheeb looks one to be very interested in having posted a career-best effort on the numbers on return.
That front-running second at Ripon was his first outing since being gelded so, with that under his belt and switched to a track that favours positive tactics, he could take some catching on ground that should be right up his street.
Stall 10 is the only potential negative.
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