Racecards
15:10 Sandown Park
E.B.F./doncaster Bloodstock Sales Mares' Only Standard Open National Hunt Flat Final (Class A)
- 19 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Form 113
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer M Brittain
- Jockey A Thornton
prominent, ran on one pace final 2f
Marsh Run
108- Form 2110
- Age 5
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer M & D Easterby
- Jockey Mr T Greenall
led to 7f out, stayed chasing leader, led over 2f out, veered left over 1f out, hard pressed final furlong, held on under pressure
Queen Soraya
93- Form 11
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer Miss H Knight
- Jockey J Culloty
held up in rear, headway into mid-divsion over 10f out, weakened over 3f out
- Form 21
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey J Tizzard
tracked leader, led 7f out to over 2f out, one pace final furlong
Kings Bay
20- Form 12
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer H Morrison
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
raced wide and took keen hold in touch, hung right and no impression over 2f out, stayed on and switched right just inside final furlong, ran on, just held
- Form 1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
close up, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
Mardello
28- Form 0-10
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey Andrew Tinkler
prominent to halfway
- Form 241
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer S Gollings
- Jockey R Thornton
chased leaders until weakened just inside final 2f
Averse (USA)
108- Form 2
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer N G Richards
- Jockey B J Geraghty
in touch until weakened over 2f out
Diamond Sal
52- Form 2-22
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Mrs M Reveley
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
held up towards rear, headway on inner from 4f out, chased leaders over 2f out, soon hard ridden and weakened
- Form 0-3
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer Mrs A Bowlby
- Jockey B Fenton
always in rear, tailed off final 6f
Topanberry (IRE)
127- Form 2
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer N G Richards
- Jockey C Llewellyn
towards rear, some headway on wide outside 4f out, soon beaten
Sabreflight
24- Form 3
- Age 4
- Weight 10-6
in touch, ridden to press leaders 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
Smokin Grey
22- Form 44R
- Age 4
- Weight 10-6
always in rear, tailed off halfway, pulled up final furlong
In depth
Verdict
Another very good and competitive line-up on the Sandown card and the shortlist of possible selections consists of Lady Of Fortune, Maryland, Sister Cinnamon and Queen Soraya with the vote going to Lady Of Fortune. Looking at the field. Marsh Run was well behind First Harmony last time at Wetherby, while Topanberry is closely weighted with Marsh Run based on their Hexham runs in November. The form of Queen Soraya's Ludlow win from Doce Vida has since been boosted while Arctic Moss, Sabreflight and Golden Odyssey are closely weighted based on their Musselburgh runs on January 18. Golden Bay, Having A Party, Kingsbay, Mardello, Maryland, Sister Cinnamon and Zaffre have all won races, but it is difficult to get a firm handle on bumper form up and down the country. Diamond Sal is quite well regarded by his stable while Barry Geraghty has been booked to ride Nicky Richards' Averse, who is weighted to get closer to First Harmony this time than on her debut run. However, it is hard to get away from the merits of Lady Of Fortune, a half-sister to Lady Rebecca, and who beat subsequent winner Golden Bay - who lines up again in opposition today - on her debut, and who is open to plenty of improvement. As such, she gets the vote.