Sandown Park hosts an exciting evening card with standout races and strong contenders. Key tips include Napa in the National Stakes after an impressive Newmarket win, Further stepping up distance for the Henry II Stakes, Yazin as a promising pick in the Heron Stakes despite concerns over fast ground, and Cogitate as a value each-way bet in the Whitsun Cup Handicap. Racing fans should watch for these runners, as several are primed for success and offer good value against the favorites.
It's been ten years since the winner of this Listed race was beaten on their most recent start. NAPA (2/1) ran out an impressive winner on his second career outing at Newmarket, having looked extremely immature when fourth on debut at Newbury.
Kevin Philippart De Foy's star was much the best on his second outing at Newmarket during the Guineas Meeting, powering home from a prominent position to win quite cosily. The second from that race was turned over at 2/5 on his next start, but the third, fifth and sixth all came out and won next time out, so that was clearly a decent piece of form.
David Egan said that the Windsor Castle was the goal for Napa following that victory at HQ, but this represents an excellent opportunity to land Listed honours before what would likely be a tilt at the Norfolk Stakes come Royal Ascot.
6:12pm Sandown - Henry II Stakes Tips
Sweet William returns to Sandown to try and win back the title that he gave up 12 months ago. John and Thady Gosden's star is the clear stand-out, but the favourite will have to give six pounds to some useful four-year-olds, including last year's Geoffrey Freer Stakes winner, FURTHER (4/1).
Andrew Balding's star was then well-beaten in the St Leger at Doncaster, and was barely mentioned during an ambitious tilt at the Melbourne Cup. Further looked in danger of dropping out the back of the TV with two furlongs to go on his reappearance in the Yorkshire Cup, but picked up again in the closing stages to edge out stablemate Tarriance in the battle for fourth-place.
I'd be surprised if Further hadn't come on plenty for that return to action, and stepping up to two miles seems like a sensible move. Oisin Murphy's mount has enough class to give Sweet William something to think about.
Robert Havlin riding Yazin win The German G1 Racecourses Thank World Pool British EBF Novice Stakes at Newmarket. (Getty)
6:42pm Sandown - Heron Stakes Tips
Charlie Appleby accounts for four of the nine runners in this Listed race. Talk Of New York is his leading contender, but I'd prefer to side with YAZIN (5/2), who'll be ridden by Ryan Moore.
Yazin won his final two starts as a juvenile last season, including a power-packed novice triumph under a penalty at Newmarket, for which he was handed an RPR of 108. John and Thady Gosden decided to get another low-key run into their budding star before moving onto bigger and better things, and Yazin again produced a nice turn of foot to beat the previously unbeaten Golden View in a conditions race at Southwell.
Fast ground is a slight worry, given this son of New Bay has a fairly high knee action. However, the Gosden's wouldn't risk a young horse as good as this on faster ground if they didn't think he would cope with it, and Yazin could be one to watch in the mile division this season.
A disappointing turnout of just seven runners will contest this Class 3 handicap. The unbeaten Raammee might have scared off most of the opposition, but I'll have an each-way punt on COGITATE (12/1).
Charlie Hills' five-year-old has run well on his three starts so far this season. Cogitate was narrowly beaten on his reappearance on the all-weather, and crossed the line just four lengths behind the impressive Linwood in the Spring Mile at Newbury. Kieran Shoemark had to wait too long for the gaps to open when Cogitate was last seen at Newmarket, and they couldn't quite find an extra gear when required.
Hills' five-year-old claimed his sole victory of last season around a similar track to Sandown in Salisbury, and Cogitate is sitting on a winnable mark of 86. The fast pace that's likely to be set by Raammee should suit. William Buick's mount is certainly a contender for the places at least.
Verdict
Thursday's Tips for Sandown:
Best Bet1: Napa 5:42pm Sandown @2/1 at Star Sports - 5 Units
Best Bet2: Yazin 6:42pm Sandown @5/2 at Star Sports - 5 Units
Best Bet3: Further 6:12pm Sandown @4/1 at Star Sports - 5 Units
Best Bet4: Cogitate E/W 7:45pm Sandown @12/1 at Star Sports - 5 Units
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18+ New customers only. Bet £20 (or more) EVS (2.0) or greater Get 2 x £5 Free Bets. 1 x £5 Free Bet paid automatically & following £5 Free Bet after 24hrs. Min Free Bet odds 4/1 (5.0) on accumulators Trebles & upwards. Expires after 24hrs. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org
18+ New customers only. Bet £20 (or more) EVS (2.0) or greater Get 2 x £5 Free Bets. 1 x £5 Free Bet paid automatically & following £5 Free Bet after 24hrs. Min Free Bet odds 4/1 (5.0) on accumulators Trebles & upwards. Expires after 24hrs. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org
18+ New customers only. Bet £20 (or more) EVS (2.0) or greater Get 2 x £5 Free Bets. 1 x £5 Free Bet paid automatically & following £5 Free Bet after 24hrs. Min Free Bet odds 4/1 (5.0) on accumulators Trebles & upwards. Expires after 24hrs. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org
