Racecards
15:40 Sandown Park
Sharp Minds Betfair European Breeders Fund Maiden Stakes (Class D) (Class D)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 5f 6y
- Going: Good to Firm, Good in places
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
dwelt, soon in touch, effort to chase leaders 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 2
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer R Johnson Houghton
- Jockey S Carson
chased winner throughout, ridden 2f out, outpaced and no chance final furlong, kept on well for clear 2nd
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey Kieren Fallon
went left start, ran green and always towards rear
- Age 2
- Weight 8-9
- Trainer B J Meehan
- Jockey D Holland
chased leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened over 1f out
Spree (IRE)
43- Form 6
- Age 2
- Weight 8-9
- Trainer R Hannon
- Jockey Richard Hughes
made all, shaken up inside final 2f, quick and clear final furlong, pushed out
In depth
Verdict
Drum Dance and Spree have the best form of those to have raced previously and have to be respected but preference is for Sir Michael Stoute's newcomer Hornpipe. The selection is a Danehill half-brother to a five-furlong juvenile winner and comes from a stable that can ready a two-year-old first time out. Brian Meehan's juveniles tend to need their first start so Annatalia may be best watched so a bigger threat among the other newcomers may come from Sylvester Kirk's Fasliyev colt African Storm. Fulke Johnson Houghton's Drum Dance found just Safari Sunset too good in an 18-runner Leicester maiden last month and is entitled to be thereabouts, while both Pitch Up and Spree should improve for their debut outings. However, Hornpipe makes plenty of appeal on pedigree and gets the vote.