September 12 / 14.35 Sandown

14.35

Good To Soft

Carling Handicap

  • Prize money: £4448.9
  • 0m 5f 10y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
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Carling Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 410546 D

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Made all to win at Newbury in July (5f, good to firm) but he was hit hard for that success and he has come up shy since; handles soft ground but the presence of other pace influences could leave him vulnerable late on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

(6)

14th Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

17:12 Windsor

Faustus

9st 5lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Rachel Cook & John Bridger

All eight wins over this trip on various ground and was ending a 17-race losing run when making all and just holding on to beat Darkened Edge by a head over C&D (good to firm) three weeks ago; back up 2lb but could still be dangerous if enjoying an uncontested lead.

3/1

1st

6

(4)

24th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

19:48 Windsor

Faustus

9st 3lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Rachel Cook & John Bridger

On a long losing sequence but recent form includes a couple of encouraging efforts and he did too much up front when fifth of six at Brighton (5f) 19 days ago; needs considering eased 1lb.

12/1

5th

4

(2)

5th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 60y

Class 6

17:00 Brighton

Faustus

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Rachel Cook & John Bridger

Placed three times from seven starts since returned to turf in May; no match for easy winner when second over C&D (good to firm) last month and remains well below the best of last year's form but still has possibilities; often wears cheekpieces but goes in refitted blinkers today.

4/1

Form: 581125 D

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
The winner of three of his seven handicap runs this year, two over 7f and once over 5f at Thirsk (good to firm); could have more to offer at this trip but he's drawn wide and is yet to tackle slower than good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(13)

2nd Oct 2026

Standard

0m 5f 0y

17:00 Dundalk (AW)

Blue Anthem

9st 12lb

J: Sam Coen

T: Adrian McGuinness

Decent AW record in Britain; struggled here and on turf for Ger O'Leary; back on a good mark nowadays and was claimed after Laytown second over 6f.

8/1

2nd

2

(2)

10th Sep 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

16:39 Laytown

Blue Anthem

10st 3lb

J: W J Lee

T: Gerard O’Leary

Progressive in the first half of last year for George Boughey before being sold for 21,000gns in the autumn; has struggled in Ireland this year; sent off odds-on when third of five at Brighton on latest in first-time visor; needs to pull out more but respected in this company.

13/2

3rd

5

(1)

24th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 215y

Class 6

15:30 Brighton

Blue Anthem

9st 6lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Gerard O’Leary

Progressive in the first half of last year for George Boughey before being sold for 21,000gns in the autumn; has struggled in Ireland this year but was well backed last time and the booking of Billy Loughnane draws the eye with first-time visor added.

7/2

Form: 537421 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Off the mark for the year with a hard-fought success over C&D two weeks ago (soft); a 4lb rise isn't punitive but he will have to work harder to get to the front given the make up of today's field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(10)

30th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

15:58 Musselburgh

Lipsink

9st 12lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Two fine runs at Sandown this season and when disappointing at Haydock last time there was a valid excuse (blindfold off late and stumbled at the start before racing furthest from the stands' rail); now 2lb higher but not discounted.

10/1

11th

6

(6)

4th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:47 Haydock

Lipsink

9st 10lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Four-time turf winner, including on soft, who just failed to reel in a very well-backed favourite at Sandown (5f, good to soft) on Saturday; does tend to go well at that track but he runs off the same mark (2lb well in) and is firmly considered.

13/2

2nd

7

(5)

29th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 10y

Class 4

17:10 Sandown

Lipsink

9st 5lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

A four-time 5f/6f scorer in 2025, including C&D on soft; resumed from seven months off with an encouraging second of nine to Twilight Calls (won twice since) over C&D (good) in June; first run since when failing to fire at Hamilton last week but could revive back here.

14/1

Form: 753059 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Positives include a lowly mark, an ability to handle slow ground and a solid record over C&D (two wins and a place from five visits); this season hasn't really got going but there have been some excuses along the way and if he is to bounce back to his best, it might be under these conditions.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(2)

16th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 10y

Class 5

13:45 Sandown

Good Earth

9st 10lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Michael Herrington

Dual C&D winner who is back to the mark he was successful from at Haydock (6f, good to firm) in April; fair fourth over C&D 19 days ago; sports first-time cheekpieces on this 107th start and he warrants consideration.

9/2

4th

2

(7)

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 5

15:00 Sandown

Good Earth

9st 12lb

J: Connor Planas

T: Michael Herrington

Recorded his 13th turf win when scoring in good style at Haydock (6f, good to firm) in April; only 2lb higher here, but has mixed record since that last success and he was down the field at Beverley last time; others are more persuasive.

11/2

Form: 33-22

Last run: 32 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in novice events at Doncaster (6f, good) and Windsor (5f, good to firm) for his new stable this summer; makes handicap debut at a realistic level but the hood is left off and he's untried on slower than good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

14

(8)

1st Oct 2026

Good

0m 6f 18y

Class 5

16:50 Nottingham

Trafalger

9st 2lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: Ben Case

Not yet off the mark but he's run two good races over the extended 5f at Bath, doing well at the weights (in this new headgear combination) recently, against one who has completed a hat-trick since; looks worth another go at 6f.

9/1

2nd

1

(5)

12th Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 160y

Class 6

16:20 Bath

Trafalger

9st 9lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Ben Case

Ten-race maiden but he threatened for Eve Johnson Houghton last season, including over C&D; unplaced in three runs for Ben Case this year but dropped 9lb as a result and now eligible for a 0-60; tongue-tie and cheekpieces now reached for; interesting.

7/1

5th

2

(9)

24th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

19:48 Windsor

Trafalger

9st 9lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: Ben Case

Lightly raced 5yo; yet to hit top form in handicaps here (6f) and at Chepstow (5f) this summer; needs to take a step forward despite a falling mark.

12/1

Form: 028031 D

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Off the mark at the ninth attempt when winning a Lingfield handicap five weeks ago (5f, good); that form has been well advertised since and a 4lb rise could underestimate him; unraced on slower than good.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(8)

14th Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

17:12 Windsor

Sandscreendeliverd

9st 12lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Peter Crate

Just 1-19 but 2lb below his winning mark and drops into Class 6 company for the first time; worth a second look especially if attracting support; blinkers removed after one use.

9/1

7th

8

(2)

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:20 Goodwood

Sandscreendeliverd

9st 1lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Peter Crate

Just the one win to his name from 18 attempts but it came off this mark; poor run at Epsom two weeks ago but that was 6f and today's trip should be more suitable; the addition of blinkers could give him the necessary lift.

10/1

Form: 113636 D

Last run: 3 days

W: 9st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Three wins in eight days at Windsor in June (5f and 6f (twice), all good to firm); also ran well at Windsor on his penultimate start but only midfield at Leicester on Tuesday; opposable away from his favourite track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

7

(2)

2nd Oct 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:50 Ascot

Lequinto

11st 4lb

J: Mr Ross Birkett

T: Tony Carroll

Has a good Windsor record, notching two more 6f wins (good/good to firm) this summer; soft ground provides an excuse for a below-par run there last time; campaigned mainly as a sprinter in recent years but was a 7f winner earlier in career.

22/1

7th

4

(4)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 4

17:00 Windsor

Lequinto

9st 9lb

J: David Egan

T: Tony Carroll

Excels here and ran another good race at the track when a closing third behind Under The Twilight, having got behind; a faster pace today would play to his strengths; no ground concerns.

11/2

3rd

6

(4)

17th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 4

18:55 Windsor

Lequinto

9st 4lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tony Carroll

9yo who's an eight-time Windsor winner, including this May and June; beat Amazonian Dream in the latter race and runner-up to him here next time, before not disgraced on a first crack at Brighton; reliable sort from off the pace and he has each-way claims again.

10/1

Form: 246193 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Prominent racer; 5f wins at Lingfield (good to firm) and Ffos Las (good) this season; latest Goodwood third right up there with his best recent efforts; widest stall to contend with.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

5

(7)

14th Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 21y

Class 6

17:12 Windsor

So Smart

9st 7lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Grace Harris

All six wins over 5f on various ground on turf, the latest when beating three rivals in an apprentice handicap at Chepstow in July; form has regressed in three starts since so needs the return to Class 6 company to bring about a resurgence.

33/1

9th

9

(1)

28th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 5

15:00 Sandown

So Smart

9st 4lb

J: Laura Coughlan

T: Grace Harris

Dominated a four-runner apprentice handicap at Chepstow (5f, good to firm) last month, but he's taken two backward steps since then; handles most ground but he's still 4lb higher than for that last success and others are more convincing.

16/1

7th

7

(5)

17th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 21y

Class 5

17:20 Windsor

So Smart

9st 6lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Grace Harris

Dominated a four-runner apprentice handicap at Chepstow (5f, good to firm) last month but not so good there eight days later; back up 4lb today and balance of form this term suggests he is not the percentage call.

10/1

Form: 322521 CD

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 12lb

7 yo Filly

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Won the corresponding race 12 months ago off a 4lb higher mark; first success since when beating four rivals at Ffos Las two weeks ago (5f, soft); this is deeper but a 2lb rise is manageable; more appealing than most.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

5

(3)

28th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

16:15 Ffos Las

Four Adaay

9st 4lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Rod Millman

Took advantage of a good opportunity over C&D last month but came up short off higher marks twice since; conditions will be fine but others are more appealing.

11/2

6

(11)

14th Sep 2025

Heavy

0m 5f 160y

Class 2

15:43 Bath

Four Adaay

8st 11lb

J: George Wood

T: Rod Millman

Beat a next-time-out winner when scoring at Ffos Las last month and probably didn't have an ideal track position when fourth at Sandown (also 5f, soft) on Friday; respected if she makes a quick reappearance here.

5/1

12

(9)

12th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 10y

Class 5

14:35 Sandown

Four Adaay

8st 12lb

J: George Wood

T: Rod Millman

Won the corresponding race 12 months ago off a 4lb higher mark; first success since when beating four rivals at Ffos Las two weeks ago (5f, soft); this is deeper but a 2lb rise is manageable; more appealing than most.

5/1

Non-runners

Rebel Path, Distant Rumble, Blazes Boylan

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £23.10
Straight Forecast £19.30
Tricast £244.05
Trifecta £421.70

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Four Adaay

SPOTLIGHT:

Good Earth

The Times:

Trafalger

TOPSPEED:

Rebel Path

The Sun:

Lipsink

D Express:

Sandscreendeliverd

Daily Mirror:

Trafalger

NEWMARKET:

Rebel Path

Telegraph:

Four Adaay

The Guardian:

Four Adaay

The Star:

Four Adaay

Daily Record:

Lipsink

POSTDATA:

Good Earth

Daily Mail:

Good Earth