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14:00 Sandown Park

bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1)

  • 5 Runners
  • Distance: 1m 2f 7y
  • Going: Good (Good to Firm in Places)(Sprint: Good to Firm, Good in Places)
  • Surface: Turf
  • £65,000 added
  • Winner: £36,862
  • 2nd: £13,975
  • 3rd: £6,994
  • 4th: £3,484
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 2m 10.25s
  • Off Time: 14:01:12
  • 5 Ran
Go to Full Result
1
Silk -

Western Hymn

7/2

    2
    Silk -

    Postponed (IRE)

    15/8

      1(3)
      Silk - Dark Green, Beige stars on sleeves

      Ayrad (IRE)

      188
      16/1
      • Form 510238-
      • Age 4
      • Weight 9-0
      • Official Rating 105

      tracked leaders, under pressure 3f out, weakened over 1f out

      2(4)
      Silk - Royal Blue, Yellow chevron, Yellow cap, Royal Blue spots

      Cannock Chase (USA)

      309 D
      2/1
      • Form 2/111-
      • Age 4
      • Weight 9-0
      • Official Rating 111

      chased leaders, ridden to challenge well over 1f out, no extra final furlong

      3(5)
      Silk - Yellow, large Black spots and spots on cap

      Postponed (IRE)

      247
      15/8
      • Form 2/34311-
      • Age 4
      • Weight 9-0
      • Official Rating 116

      led, hard pressed from over 2f out, headed over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong, kept on well close home

      4(2)
      Silk - Navy Blue, Red and Light Blue hoop and armlets, White cap

      Tullius (IRE)

      27 C
      6/1
      • Form 12444-1
      • Age 7
      • Weight 9-0
      • Official Rating 118

      settled in rear, in touch, effort over 2f out, never a threat

      5(1)
      Silk - Light blue, dark blue chevrons and sleeves, dark blue and light blue quartered cap

      Western Hymn

      188 DCD
      7/2
      • Form 116144-
      • Age 4
      • Weight 9-0
      • Official Rating 114

      tracked leader, every chance over 2f out, led over 1f out, hard driven, stayed on well

      Previous results

      2014
      (5)
      Silk -

      Noble Mission

      4/1
      • Age 5
      • Weight 9-0

      2013
      (3)
      Silk -

      Al Kazeem

      9/4
      • Age 5
      • Weight 9-0

      2012
      (2)
      Silk -

      Colombian (IRE)

      10/3
      • Age 4
      • Weight 9-0

      In depth

      Verdict

      Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore landed a hat-trick in this event from 2008 to 2010 and CANNOCK CHASE might well be good enough in this year's renewal. Unbeaten in three outings over 1m2f last term culminating in a Group 3 win at Ascot in June, he is just preferred to Western Hymn. The latter won the Classic Trial over track and trip on last year's card and a Group 2 contest in France later, but both in soft ground and he is unlikely to get that here. Postponed improved the further he went last season winning the Great Voltigeur over 1m4f at York in August while Tullius made a winning return in the Listed Doncaster Mile but was well beaten on his only previous attempt at today's distance. Ayrad may struggle in this company judged on his form to date.

      Formwatch

      Ayrad (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Held up in last pair, some headway on inside over 2f out, ridden and weakened well over 1f out, 8th of 9, 10l behind Noble Mission (9-5) at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) hvy in Oct.

      Cannock Chase (USA) 7-4fav (9-0) Held up in last pair, steady headway on outside 3f out, tracked leaders 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, 1 length ahead and staying on strongly when ridden and hung right to rail 110 yards out, ridden out, won at Royal Ascot 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun beating Mutakayyef (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.

      Postponed (IRE) 5-2fav (9-0) Held up in touch, went 2nd going well 3f out, led 2f out, clear and edged right inside final furlong, ran on well, comfortably, won at York 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug beating Snow Sky (9-0) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.

      Tullius (IRE) 1-2fav (9-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd over 2f out, challenged 1f out, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Doncaster 1m Listed stks (1) gd in Mar beating Glory Awaits (9-7) by 1/2l, 5 ran.

      Western Hymn 14-1 (9-0) Sweating badly, held up in last trio, pushed along and headway on outside over 3f out, hanging right when switched left over 2f out, soon not quicken, continued to hang right, driven and stayed on into well held 4th final 150 yards, 4th of 9, 5l behind Noble Mission (9-5) at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) hvy in Oct.