Racecards
14:25 Sandown Park
Amigo And Friends Handicap Chase (Class D)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 3m 110y
- Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
- Form 606P-53
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
prominent, ridden and every chance approaching last, no extra flat
- Form 3P160-1
- Age 9
- Weight 11-11
- Trainer P Chamings
- Jockey V T Keane
held up in touch, led 16th, challenged approaching last, stayed on gamely flat
Eltigri (FR)
650- Form 1P1P10/
- Age 10
- Weight 11-10
- Trainer A Ennis
- Jockey L P Aspell
led, headed 9th, led again next, headed 11th, ridden and weakened from 5 out
- Form 4123-P1
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer M Bradstock
- Jockey M Batchelor
pulled hard tracking leader, led 11th, headed 14th, gradually weakened, tailed off
- Form 245U-11
- Age 8
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
in rear, headway after 13th, led next, headed 16th, no impression from 2 out
- Form 504222
- Age 10
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer J R Cornwall
- Jockey Jimmy McCarthy
with leader, lost touch 14th, well behind from 3 out, tailed off
In depth
Verdict
Cimmarone Cove is likely to go off as favourite on the strength of his third at Ascot where he was third, beaten just under eight lengths to King Mistral and is now nearly a stone better off at the weights. There was a lot to like about the latter's performance on his seasonal reappearance however and it will not be as cut and dried as the weights suggest. Never Wonder probably has more to do than when scoring at Exeter but at least he seems to have got his jumping together. Bottomweight Strong Magic, a full brother to Sparky Gayle, was good enough to win at Aintree last November and has been knocking at the door in useful company of late. It would be no surprise to see him take a hand in the finish, but on this occasion he again might find one too good in the shape of Orswell Crest. Philip Hobbs's charge stayed and jumped well when making a winning return to the fray at Wincanton last month and it was no surprise when he followed up despite a 9lbs rise, at Aintree two weeks ago. It is hard to knock his achievements and with more improvement to come, Orswell Crest is the TEAMtalk selection to complete a hat-trick.