August 21 / 18.12 Sandown

18.12

Good

Sky Bet Sunday Series Mile Handicap

  • Prize money: £18039
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 15 runners
ITV4
View Course
Sky Bet Sunday Series Mile Handicap

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £17.00
  • Place: £4.50

Form: 874011 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Suited by the first-time blinkers (retained since) when making all at Newbury last month and did likewise over this C&D last time; he's up just 2lb for his latest win but he had just a short head to spare in that small field and this race is tougher, so he needs to take another step forward.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(10)

23rd Jun 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

15:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Island Bandit

9st 7lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Heather Main

Six wins on turf and 0-9 on the AW, though was only beaten a head here (8.6f) last October and is now 3lb lower; each-way claims.

9/1

4

(3)

2nd Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 5

20:45 Windsor

Island Bandit

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Heather Main

Six-time turf winner but his last success was in August 2023; returned to form with a close call at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW) in October but diminishing returns since and was only fourth of five on his Bath reappearance (1m, firm) last month; others preferred.

7/1

4

(3)

2nd Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 5

20:45 Windsor

Island Bandit

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Heather Main

Six-time turf winner but his last success was in August 2023; returned to form with a close call at Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW) in October but diminishing returns since and was only fourth of five on his Bath reappearance (1m, firm) last month; others preferred.

7/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 21-711 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Returned from a break with a win at Yarmouth (1m, good) in June and followed up at Pontefract (1m, good to firm) last Sunday; those were in small fields and today's assignment is more competitive, but he's an unexposed 3yo who is in top hands and holds appealing claims under a 6lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(11)

21st Aug 2022

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:12 Sandown

Ikhtiraaq

9st 10lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Sir Michael Stoute

held up in midfield, pushed along when edged right and switched left over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ridden and made strong challenge when went second inside final furlong, kept on

3/1

1st

2

(1)

14th Aug 2022

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 3

15:35 Pontefract

Ikhtiraaq

9st 6lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Sir Michael Stoute

made all, set steady pace, shaken up and increased tempo over 1f out, ridden briefly inside final furlong, pushed out final 110yds, comfortably

8/13

20/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 6-5886 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Continues to edge down the weights and she's run some fair races this year, including when sixth of 14 at Haydock a fortnight ago, but she needs to produce something extra to return to winning ways.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

(5)

23rd Sep 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:15 Newmarket

Dont Tell Claire

9st 8lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Wasn't at her best behind some of these at Ascot a fortnight ago in a race in which she had previously finished first and second; blinkers now replaced by cheekpieces, in which she was second off 1lb higher in one of the handicaps at Royal Ascot.

14/1

8th

5

(10)

9th Sep 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Ascot

Dont Tell Claire

9st 6lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Reliable here over the years, winning this race in 2021 (good to firm) and runner-up 12 months ago (good to soft); another stout effort when second of 19 in the Kensington Palace in June and surprising if she isn't involved again.

7/1

5th

1

(1)

17th Aug 2023

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 3

16:52 Wolverhampton (AW)

Dont Tell Claire

9st 11lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Tapeta winner (at Newcastle) who has been running well since headgear was applied, especially when placed in her last three starts on turf; three of her last four outings on the AW have been in Listed company so she should find this a bit easier, but she still has plenty on against the 3yos.

7/2

13/2

Form: 364-61 D

Last run: 72 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Built upon his previous form when off the mark at the sixth attempt in Goodwood handicap (1m, soft) in June; may need slow ground (has twice been a non-runner due to unsuitable good or good to firm going this season) but unexposed and could be a player if conditions suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(3)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 1

14:35 Ascot

Ascending

9st 4lb

J: W J Lee

T: Henry De Bromhead

Landed the Cork Derby (1m4f) last May and a Royal Ascot handicap (2m4f) last June, before his excellent second in the Ebor Handicap at York (1m6f) in August; not disgraced on final start but needs a serious advance to mix it with the best of these in today's Group 3.

16/1

7

(24)

28th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 170y

16:22 Curragh

Ascending

9st 10lb

J: W J Lee

T: Henry De Bromhead

Landed the Cork Derby (1m4f, good) in May off 93 and followed up in the Ascot Stakes off 95 (2m4f, gd-fm); runner up in the Ebor on latest off 98; can give another good account off 3lb higher.

8/1

2nd

17

(16)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Ascending

9st 2lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: Henry De Bromhead

Reverting to Flat has proved a huge success, most notably with his 2m4f win in a 20-runner handicap at Royal Ascot (good to firm) latest outing but he also scored over 1m4f the time before and the way he went through the Ascot race is not a disincentive; up 3lb in a stronger race but still of major interest.

12/1

Form: -42108 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Runner-up here (1m1f, good to firm) in May then went one better in three-runner race at Haydock (1m, soft); however, she's been well beaten at Ascot the last twice and needs to turn things around.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

4

(4)

28th Oct 2022

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:00 Newmarket

Professional Widow

9st 12lb

J: David Egan

T: Richard Spencer

prominent on far side of group, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out

16/1

8th

10

(3)

19th Oct 2022

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:10 Newmarket

Professional Widow

9st 0lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: Richard Spencer

in touch with leaders, pushed along and lost position when bit short of room over 1f out, soon no impression

25/1

9th

6

(12)

5th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 4

16:20 Nottingham

Professional Widow

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Richard Spencer

in touch with leaders, switched right and up the centre from over 4f out, pushed along from 3f out, ridden and struggling from 2f out

5/1

OUR TIP

Form: 255311 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 10st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Has reverted to front-running the last twice and shown career-best form to win comfortably at Carlisle (1m1f, good) and Wolverhampton (8.6f, AW); has gone up the weights and repeating those tactics could be tough in this more competitive race, but this thriving 4yo has to be respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(1)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:42 Newmarket

Helm Rock

9st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

8yo who has been in fine form this spring, winning at Kempton (1m, AW) last month then going close at Lingfield (1m, AW) and Nottingham (1m, good); there's every chance he'll be bang there once more.

9/1

2nd

2

(7)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:25 Nottingham

Helm Rock

9st 8lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Ten-time winner split between turf and AW; his last success was at Kempton (1m) last month and he backed that up with a close third under a penalty at Lingfield (Polytrack); did well to hang in there from a wide draw last time and he's respected off same mark back on turf.

13/2

3rd

1

(10)

14th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 4

18:30 Lingfield (AW)

Helm Rock

9st 13lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Tended to do his winning in the past in batches, which bodes well under a 4lb penalty for last Monday's Kempton victory; well over two years snice he won off a mark this high and hasn't been at his best in two previous runs here but needs considering.

4/1

Form: 471227 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Not at his best when mid-division at Goodwood three weeks ago but he didn't enjoy a clear run and was in top form previously, with a win at Bath followed by two close seconds; could be in the shake-up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(4)

21st Aug 2022

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:12 Sandown

Mark Of Respect

9st 8lb

J: Ross Coakley

T: Jonathan Portman

raced in second, ridden and hung right over 2f out, lost second and no extra over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong

16/1

7th

10

(5)

30th Jul 2022

Good To Firm

1m 1f 11y

Class 3

16:30 Goodwood

Mark Of Respect

9st 2lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Jonathan Portman

in touch with leaders, pushed along 3f out, short of room over 1f out, hung right and no impression inside final furlong

10/1

25/1

Form: 41-327

Last run: 82 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Well-bred 3yo who won one of his five French runs; well beaten when last seen in May and he's never raced over a trip this short, but he's one to watch in the betting on this first run since bought for 32,000euros.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(3)

14th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 4

18:30 Lingfield (AW)

Warning Sign

9st 6lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Dual Sandown winner last summer (1m, 1m2f), latterly off 5lb lower, who stays a deal further; 66-1 when only having stablemate Good Speed behind on his C&D comeback last month and may need some help from the handicapper.

16/1

9th

5

(6)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 4

17:25 Lingfield (AW)

Warning Sign

9st 6lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Gary & Josh Moore

In good form in blinkers last summer, winning twice at Sandown (1m and 1m2f) before placed efforts at Epsom and Newmarket; has tended to need his reappearance in the past so perhaps one to watch with an eye to the future; cheekpieces on today.

10/1

Form: 425127 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Won over C&D last month on first visit to Sandown and close second of four over C&D seven days later; merely mid-division at Doncaster most recently but could leave that run behind now he's back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(9)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:45 Newcastle (AW)

Mercurius Power

9st 9lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Jessica Macey

Difficult to win with in recent years, now 7lb lower than when last successful at Southwell (1m) in August 2024; met trouble when sixth (beaten over 4l) here on penultimate start, but latest Leicester effort was less encouraging.

12/1

7th

9

(7)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 53y

Class 6

20:25 Leicester

Mercurius Power

9st 1lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Jessica Macey

It's now 17 outings since his last success but he arrives on the back of a respectable sixth of 11 in 1m Newcastle handicap last month; easing in the weights and no forlorn hope.

14/1

6th

4

(9)

13th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:00 Newcastle (AW)

Mercurius Power

9st 8lb

J: George Wood

T: Jessica Macey

Regular 1m placings here and at Southwell since September; form dipped on latest outing, however, and there's been no win since August 2024.

8/1

14/1

Form: 423775 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
1lb lower than when going very close over C&D in June and the return to this track for the first time since offers a glimmer of hope, but he needs to produce more than he's managed on his four starts since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(7)

14th Oct 2022

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

16:45 Newcastle (AW)

Coase

9st 12lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Michael Wigham

slowly into stride, in rear, shaken up over 1f out, never on terms

14/1

6th

3

(2)

11th Oct 2022

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:35 Newcastle (AW)

Coase

9st 10lb

J: Franny Norton

T: Michael Wigham

dwelt start, held up in rear, steady headway and prominent up the centre over 1f out, ridden and no extra final 110yds

12/1

8th

10

(7)

23rd Sep 2022

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Newmarket

Coase

9st 4lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Michael Wigham

towards rear, headway halfway, weakened from over 2f out

10/1

Form: 3-3149

Last run: 85 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
He needs to produce more than has been the case in his first two handicaps but this lightly raced 3yo is in top hands and perhaps the first-time cheekpieces will prompt an upturn in fortunes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(6)

14th Sep 2022

Good To Soft

1m 1f 209y

Class 4

16:40 Sandown

Blueberry Hill

9st 9lb

J: Frankie Dettori

T: John & Thady Gosden

dwelt start, towards rear, switched to near side 3f out, soon pushed along and headway, ridden and pressed leader over 1f out, no extra final 110yds

8/1

11th

12

(2)

21st Aug 2022

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:12 Sandown

Blueberry Hill

9st 3lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: John & Thady Gosden

midfield, ridden over 2f out, switched left and no impression over 1f out, weakened final furlong

11/1

Form: 363121 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Won by 4l at Leicester (1m, good to firm) in June and, after a near-miss at Bath, she scored by nearly 3l at Newmarket (1m, good to firm); goes up in grade here but she's clearly improving and a 6lb rise for last time could prove lenient.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(1)

1st Oct 2022

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:03 Newmarket

Laguna Veneta

9st 0lb

J: Georgia Dobie

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

in touch with leaders on outer, ridden 2f out, weakening when slightly hampered over 1f out

11/1

12th

14

(1)

21st Aug 2022

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:12 Sandown

Laguna Veneta

8st 12lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

took keen hold, prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong

8/1

Form: 50-619 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Irish raider who won at Ballinrobe (9.4f) two starts ago; however, his last two wins have come over that C&D and he was merely mid-division over 1m at Galway last time; may prefer slightly further than this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(11)

8th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 2f 30y

16:55 Navan

Takeachancejimmy

9st 6lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: Nigel Thomas Slevin

Twice a winner here over shorter but on a long losing run and hasn't convinced over this trip in the past.

20/1

8

(2)

1st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

0m 7f 205y

14:13 Bellewstown

Takeachancejimmy

9st 9lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: Nigel Thomas Slevin

Went close over C&D in April off 6lb higher but not a lot to shout about in the meantime.

20/1

4

(1)

21st Jul 2025

Yielding

1m 1f 135y

17:30 Ballinrobe

Takeachancejimmy

9st 6lb

J: Robbie Colgan

T: Nigel Thomas Slevin

Veteran; six-time turf winner went close in a 1m handicap at Bellewstown in April off 59; three moderate efforts since and now drops into claiming company but has C&D form figures of 211 so return to this venue could revive; interesting.

6/1

25/1

Form: 15-019 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 3yo who displayed improved form to win at Goodwood (1m, good to firm) in June; not written off after just one poor run but it's hard to be confident in view of his below-par run at Ascot last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(1)

16th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

20:20 Goodwood

Rawyaan

10st 1lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Baker

2nd

3

(1)

30th May 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 210y

Class 4

16:10 Brighton

Rawyaan

9st 8lb

J: Andrea Atzeni

T: George Baker

midfield, pushed along over 2f out

11/4

3rd

3

(10)

22nd Apr 2023

Good

0m 6f 210y

Class 4

18:15 Brighton

Rawyaan

9st 9lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: George Baker

Has been well beaten first time out in each of his three seasons, so it may be best to forgive last month's Kempton reappearance (1m, AW); won over C&D as a 2yo and back off the same mark as when winning at Goodwood (1m, good to firm) last summer; drying ground in his favour and respected for stable that won this with Mamillius in 2019 and 2022.

16/1

Form: 339033 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Beaten 1l when third the last twice at Pontefract and Newmarket (both 1m); went close over C&D on his last visit here last July and there's every chance he'll be bang there once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(1)

4th Nov 2022

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

16:40 Newcastle (AW)

Enigmatic

9st 10lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Joseph Parr

Respectable third to Award Dancer here last month when having his first AW start of the season; went very close off 7lb higher in this contest last year and, with being so well handicapped, looks set for another big run.

13/2

3rd

1

(4)

11th Oct 2022

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:35 Newcastle (AW)

Enigmatic

9st 12lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Joseph Parr

midfield on outer, shaken up and steady headway over 2f out, went third over 1f out, ridden and kept on final 110yds

10/1

1

(8)

5th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 4

16:20 Nottingham

Enigmatic

10st 0lb

J: Thore Hammer Hansen

T: Joseph Parr

Won off 6lb higher at Pontefract (1m, good to firm) last September but has a mixed record since and he was laboured at Goodwood (1m, good to soft) two weeks ago; now drops back into a Class 4 event but losing run is up to 11 and others are preferred.

10/1

Non-runners

Enigmatic

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £83.80
Straight Forecast £54.68
Tricast £350.20
Trifecta £1120.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ikhtiraaq

POSTDATA:

Enigmatic

The Times:

Blueberry Hill

TOPSPEED:

Island Bandit

Telegraph:

Laguna Veneta

LAMBOURN:

Helm Rock

Daily Express:

Mercurius Power

RP Ratings:

Ikhtiraaq

NEWMARKET:

Ikhtiraaq

Daily Mail:

Ikhtiraaq

The Sun:

Ikhtiraaq

The Star:

Ikhtiraaq

Daily Record:

Ikhtiraaq

Daily Mirror:

Enigmatic