May 23 / 14.58 Haydock

14.58

Soft

William Hill Sandy Lane Stakes (Group 2)

  • Prize money: £93571.5
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
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William Hill Sandy Lane Stakes (Group 2)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.75
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 1113-0 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Top 6f 2yo, completing a notable hat-trick with wins in Group 3 at Royal Ascot, Group 2 at Newmarket (July) and Group 1 at Deauville (all good/good to firm); seemed fine at 7f (ran on after meeting trouble) when third in the Moyglare at the Curragh (yielding) on her final start but shaped like a non-stayer when stepped up to 1m for 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket on reappearance; remains open to progress back at 6f; leading claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

11

(9)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Newmarket (July)

Venetian Sun

8st 13lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

3yo filly who is unbeaten (6-6) over sprint trips, mostly in Group races, including two at the top level; only narrowly justified favouritism in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot (good to firm) most recently but it's hard to knock her record and there may yet be further advancement in terms of her rating; sire won the July Cup; receives all the allowances and duly warrants respect.

3/1

1st

21

(13)

19th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Venetian Sun

8st 13lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

5-5 over sprint trips, including 2yo wins at this meeting (C&D, good to firm) and in the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville (6f, good); having failed to stay 1m in the 1,000 Guineas, she was dropped back in trip in the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock (6f, good to soft) four weeks ago and won in fine style; leading claims.

11/8

1st

8

(3)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:58 Haydock

Venetian Sun

8st 13lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Top 6f 2yo, completing a notable hat-trick with wins in Group 3 at Royal Ascot, Group 2 at Newmarket (July) and Group 1 at Deauville (all good/good to firm); seemed fine at 7f (ran on after meeting trouble) when third in the Moyglare at the Curragh (yielding) on her final start but shaped like a non-stayer when stepped up to 1m for 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket on reappearance; remains open to progress back at 6f; leading claims.

9/4

5/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 1115-3 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Raced at 6f; won three times last year, notably a York Listed race (good; also won on good to soft); improved again when coming with a strong late run (started slowly) for 0.5l third to Coppull in Ascot Group 3 (good to firm) on reappearance three weeks ago; probably capable of better again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(1)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Newmarket (July)

Division

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: William Haggas

Solid performer who completed a hat-trick during his 2yo campaign and has strong placed form this season, the last two times behind Venetian Sun; switched and finished well for a close third in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot latest; has broadly progressive RPRs in tandem with a gradual rise in class; knocking on the door at Group level.

9/1

3rd

6

(3)

19th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Division

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: William Haggas

Listed winner at York (6f, good) last October and reappeared with close third behind Coppull and Midnight Tango in the Group 3 Trial over this C&D (good to firm), finishing strongly after blowing the start; failed to settle and perhaps not seen to best effect when 3l second to Venetian Sun in Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock (6f, good to soft) last time; could go well.

12/1

2nd

4

(4)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:58 Haydock

Division

9st 2lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

Raced at 6f; won three times last year, notably a York Listed race (good; also won on good to soft); improved again when coming with a strong late run (started slowly) for 0.5l third to Coppull in Ascot Group 3 (good to firm) on reappearance three weeks ago; probably capable of better again.

5/2

12/1

Form: 1041-8 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Proved a useful sprinter last season, notably winning over 5f at Glorious Goodwood in the summer and over 6f at Newmarket (good-ground Listed contest) final outing; finished in front of Venetian Sun when creditable eighth in the 1,000 Guineas on her reappearance; while she shouldn't be inconvenienced by the drop back to 6f it remains to be seen whether she can confirm that superiority over Karl Burke's filly at the shorter distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

13

(2)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:45 York

Spicy Marg

9st 0lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Michael Bell

Listed winner at Newmarket (6f, good) last October; beaten 4.5l into third by Venetian Sun in the Sandy Lane at Haydock on good to soft in May but got a lot closer that rival on quicker ground in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, going down by only a head for a big career best, with reopposing Fitzella fifth; the one to beat.

9/4

2nd

20

(8)

19th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Spicy Marg

8st 13lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Michael Bell

Listed winner at Newmarket (6f, good) last October; respectable efforts this season when midfield in the 1,000 Guineas (1m, good to firm) and third in the Sandy Lane at Haydock (6f, good to soft) but she was no match for the winner Venetian Sun last time and today's task may well be beyond her.

40/1

3rd

7

(7)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:58 Haydock

Spicy Marg

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Michael Bell

Proved a useful sprinter last season, notably winning over 5f at Glorious Goodwood in the summer and over 6f at Newmarket (good-ground Listed contest) final outing; finished in front of Venetian Sun when creditable eighth in the 1,000 Guineas on her reappearance; while she shouldn't be inconvenienced by the drop back to 6f it remains to be seen whether she can confirm that superiority over Karl Burke's filly at the shorter distance.

12/1

OUR TIP

7/1

Form: 4222-6 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Runner-up twice in Group 1 company as a juvenile, including in the Middle Park at Newmarket with Coppull narrowly behind in third; however, he made an underwhelming start to his 3yo career when only sixth to Coppull (Division third) in 6f Ascot Group 3 on reappearance 22 days ago; possible he simply needed the run but arrives with a point to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(1)

18th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

15:25 Curragh

Brussels

9st 5lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

3yo son of Wootton Bassett signed off last term with an excellent second at the Breeders' Cup (5f, firm) but form has been regressive this season, albeit all three runs have come over 6f; the drop back to 5f is a positive, but he has a fair bit to find on the figures and Ryan Moore prefers the chances of Charles Darwin.

16/1

19th

3

(18)

19th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Brussels

9st 2lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: A P O’Brien

Runner-up in two top-level races last autumn, namely the Middle Park at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (5f, firm); a long way below that level on both outings this term and arrives with plenty to prove but he's an each-way possible if cheekpieces prompt a revival.

50/1

4th

2

(1)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:58 Haydock

Brussels

9st 2lb

J: Sean Levey

T: A P O’Brien

Runner-up twice in Group 1 company as a juvenile, including in the Middle Park at Newmarket with Coppull narrowly behind in third; however, he made an underwhelming start to his 3yo career when only sixth to Coppull (Division third) in 6f Ascot Group 3 on reappearance 22 days ago; possible he simply needed the run but arrives with a point to prove.

7/1

10/1

Form: 4114-7 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
AW Group 3 winner last September and bettered that form when 2.75l fourth to Wise Approach (Brussels second, Coppull third) in Group 1 Middle Park at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) later that month; late headway for seventh of 14 in 5f Group 3 back at Newmarket on reappearance; likely to benefit from the return to 6f but whether he's quite good enough remains to be seen.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(5)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 1

15:52 Chester

Five Ways

8st 13lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

Won 6f Group 3 on AW last September and fourth in Group 1 Middle Park at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) three weeks later; that rounded off his 2yo campaign but he's been regressive in three runs this season and was down the field in a York handicap last time; has some questions to answer and he's untried at this trip.

14/1

13th

1

(17)

13th Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 York

Five Ways

9st 9lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

Won 6f AW Group 3 last September and fourth in Group 1 Middle Park at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) three weeks later; below best in Group races on both starts this year but wasn't devoid of promise at Newmarket, and Haydock last time was a first run on slow ground; not discounted on handicap debut.

16/1

5th

5

(2)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:58 Haydock

Five Ways

9st 2lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

AW Group 3 winner last September and bettered that form when 2.75l fourth to Wise Approach (Brussels second, Coppull third) in Group 1 Middle Park at Newmarket (6f, good to firm) later that month; late headway for seventh of 14 in 5f Group 3 back at Newmarket on reappearance; likely to benefit from the return to 6f but whether he's quite good enough remains to be seen.

10/1

10/1

Form: 19226- D BF

Last run: 245 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Raced at 6f; smart 2yo, notably second in the Gimcrack at York; below par tackling going softer than good for the first when sixth in the Mill Reef at Newbury on final start, which is a bit of a concern should the ground here remain on the soft side; on a positive note, his yard has won this twice since 2019, including with Inisherin in these silks two years ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

11

(22)

19th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Rock On Thunder

9st 2lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Second in the Gimcrack at York (6f, good to firm) last August but well beaten in the Mill Reef at Newbury (6f, good to soft) next time and same story in the Sandy Lane at Haydock (6f, good to soft) last month; cheekpieces and the return to fast ground could help but others have less to prove.

50/1

6th

6

(5)

23rd May 2026

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:58 Haydock

Rock On Thunder

9st 2lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Raced at 6f; smart 2yo, notably second in the Gimcrack at York; below par tackling going softer than good for the first when sixth in the Mill Reef at Newbury on final start, which is a bit of a concern should the ground here remain on the soft side; on a positive note, his yard has won this twice since 2019, including with Inisherin in these silks two years ago.

10/1

4

(2)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:15 Newbury

Rock On Thunder

9st 3lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Campaigned exclusively over 6f on good/firmer; has shown very notable form the last twice, beating all bar the smart favourite in C&D Listed event then clear second in the Gimcrack at York; leading form claims.

3/1

Form: 22-168

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Non-runners

Coppull

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.80
Straight Forecast £5.03
Tricast £10.54
Trifecta £15.20

Selections

POSTDATA:

Division

SPOTLIGHT:

Venetian Sun

TOPSPEED:

Coppull

D Express:

Rock On Thunder

Telegraph:

Spicy Marg

NEWMARKET:

Division

The Times:

Division

The Guardian:

Division

Daily Record:

Division

RP RATINGS:

Venetian Sun

The Sun:

Venetian Sun

The Star:

Venetian Sun

LAMBOURN:

Coppull

Daily Mail:

Coppull

Daily Mirror:

Coppull