Racecards
14:55 Sandown Park
Tote Scoop6 Stakes (Handicap) (Class B)
- 16 Runners
- Distance: 1m 14y
- Going: (Round Course Good to firm,good places)
Cornelius
31- Form 2130-03
- Age 6
- Weight 9-8
- Trainer P & O Cole
- Jockey T Quinn
led to over 2f out, stayed close up until out paced final furlong
- Form 636053
- Age 7
- Weight 9-4
- Trainer B W Hills
- Jockey Michael Hills
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden and beaten approaching final furlong
- Form 3000-16
- Age 5
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer M A Jarvis
- Jockey P Robinson
pulled hard in rear, smooth headway on wide outside, over 2f out, quickened to lead narrowly inside final furlong, held on well
Funfair
17- Form 1010-10
- Age 4
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey Kieren Fallon
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, narrowly headed inside final furlong, kept on, held near finish
- Form 0-65045
- Age 5
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer S Kirk
- Jockey Richard Hughes
soon pressed leader, pushed along over 2f out, losing place when not much room, and snatched up approaching final furlong
- Form 14-1345
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer D R Loder
- Jockey J P Spencer
mid division, ridden 2f out, soon beaten
- Form 0000-04
- Age 4
- Weight 8-10
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey M Dwyer
pulled hard early, held up towards rear, effort 2f out, stayed on same pace over 1f out
- Form 421663
- Age 5
- Weight 8-10
behind, headway when not clear run over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
- Form 2-111
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, unable to quicken final furlong
- Form 16-2
- Age 3
- Weight 8-5
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey Mick Kinane
held up well in rear, effort on wide outside over 2f out, stayed on same pace
- Form 030004
- Age 4
- Weight 8-4
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey D J O'Donohoe
slowly into stride, held up in rear, effort over 2f out, never near to challenge
- Form 30-0301
- Age 4
- Weight 8-4
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey S Hitchcott
close up until weakened over 2f out
Lafi (IRE)
21- Form 41-1
- Age 4
- Weight 8-2
- Trainer A Stewart
- Jockey Willie Supple
pulled hard, held up and behind, not clear run over 2f out to over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
- Form 40-0040
- Age 9
- Weight 8-2
- Trainer B Gubby
- Jockey G Duffield
close up until weakened over 2f out
- Form 2-00344
- Age 4
- Weight 8-2
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 4-1114
- Age 3
- Weight 8-0
in rear, pushed along and not clear run 3f out, never nearer
In depth
Verdict
A competitive race in which Funfair is taken to recoup Royal Hunt Cup losses and re-establish his reputation. Following a good York success, Sir Michael Stoute's colt was all the rage at Royal Ascot, but he never looked entirely at ease racing on the unfavoured far side. We'll give him another chance. There are plenty in with chances though. Heretic won this race last year off a 14lb-lower mark, but his stable is in great form and he could still go well. However, the likes of David Loder's Royal Dignitary, Andrew Balding's Royal Hunt Cup fourth, Pentecost, the Royal Hunt Cup sixth, Unshakable, and Sir Michael Stoute's other runner, the lightly-raced Adekshan, also have to be considered. David Loder also runs Excellento, who comes here on the back of three straight wins. It is more than conceivable that this progressive colt is well handicapped. Alec Stewart's Lafi is also progressive but we'll stick with Funfair to get back to winning ways.