Racecards
15:50 Sandown Park
William Ewart Properties Gala Stakes (Listed) (Class 1)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 1m 2f 7y
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- £26,000 added
- Form 1229-21
- Age 5
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer M H Tompkins
- Jockey J Quinn
held up, went 4th over 2f out, soon ridden, no impression on leaders afterwards
- Form 2-25125
- Age 5
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer Andrew Turnell
- Jockey Michael Hills
held up in touch, chased leaders 2f out, effort over 1f, stayed on inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
- Form 44/38-68
- Age 5
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 93
- Trainer J L Dunlop
- Jockey J Fortune
held up, ridden over 3f out, soon struggling
- Form 15112-6
- Age 4
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer S bin Suroor
- Jockey L Dettori
steadied start, took keen hold in rear, headway to lead just over 7f out, raced wide alone afterwards, 2f out, headed narrowly inside final 2f, driven and lead again over 1f out, hung right, headed final strides
- Form 276844
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 104
- Trainer C E Brittain
- Jockey R L Moore
tracked winner 3f, ridden and behind 6f out, never dangerous afterwards, struggling final 3f
- Form 5-18
- Age 3
- Weight 8-8
- Official Rating 101
- Trainer M A Jarvis
- Jockey N Callan
led, set steady pace, headed just over 7f out, pressed leader over 2f out, led narrowly inside final 2f, headed narrowly over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to lead again final strides, all out
- Form 513834
- Age 3
- Weight 8-8
- Official Rating 79
- Trainer Mrs S Lamyman
- Jockey J Fanning
held up in rear, some headway over 3f out, never nearer
In depth
Verdict
Topatoo is consistent and can carry top-weight to victory in this competitive Listed contest. Tam Lin and Blue Bajan appear to be very obvious dangers. Mark Tompkins progressive mare scored in a Group Three at York when last seen in May and most importantly acts very well on ground with some give in. The stable are in good form and with jockey Jimmy Quinn also riding well, another big run can be expected. Whilst it is a slight worry that all four of her wins have come on the Knavesmire at York, she must be high on anyone's list today. Blue Bajan drops in trip from a mile and a half which should suit and having won on soft ground previously, he should be awarded plenty of respect. However the feeling is that he may be better suited by quicker ground so for that reason is reluctantly passed over. Kong has shown very little in two starts this year but better should be forthcoming at some point but probably not today, so of more interest is Tam Lin. He folded like a pack of cards on his reappearance after racing too freely but expect a much improved performance today. Harland drops in trip and is a horse with a bright future ahead of him so cannot be ruled out but as a three-year-old he may just be up against it, whilst Fann and New Beginning are handicappers really. An intriguing affair, and Topatoo gets the nod.
Formwatch
Topatoo 7-2 (8-12) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on to lead towards finish, won at York 1m 2f fll stk Grp 3 (1) gs in May beating Anna Pavlova (8-12) by a nk, 7 ran.
Blue Bajan (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, held up, headway 4f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra, 5th of 7, 4l behind Maraahel (9-0) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gs in Jun.
Kong (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Held up, short-lived effort over 2f out, 8th of 10, 13l behind Ivy Creek (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f lst stk (1) gd in Jun.
Tam Lin 5-2jt-fav (9-3) Led after 2f, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 7, 18l behind Take A Bow (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gs in May.
Fann (USA) 100-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up, headway and hung right from 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Nannina (8-12) at Ascot 1m fll stk Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Harland 10-1 (8-12) Behind, headway 5f out, chased leaders 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 9, 9l behind Boscobel (8-12) at Ascot 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Jun.
New Beginning (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 8, 5l behind Pipedreamer (9-7) at Pontefract 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jun.