May 28 / 18.12 Sandown

18.12

Good

Star Sports Henry II Stakes (Group 3)

  • Prize money: £53874.5
  • 2m 0f 50y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
RTV
View Course
Star Sports Henry II Stakes (Group 3)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

20/1 (Won)

  • Win: £32.20
  • Place: £6.50

Form: 366-84 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 4lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Won Group 3 (1m6f, good) and Group 2 (2m, good) races at Meydan early last year and he's very much of interest on that form; however, not at the same level subsequently and he was a soundly beaten fourth behind Sweet William in the Group 3 Sagaro at Ascot (2m, good to firm) recently.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(7)

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

18:12 Sandown

Dubai Future

9st 4lb

J: David Probert

T: Saeed bin Suroor

Won Group 3 (1m6f, good) and Group 2 (2m, good) races at Meydan early last year and he's very much of interest on that form; however, not at the same level subsequently and he was a soundly beaten fourth behind Sweet William in the Group 3 Sagaro at Ascot (2m, good to firm) recently.

20/1

4th

6

(5)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 1

14:35 Ascot

Dubai Future

9st 4lb

J: David Probert

T: Saeed bin Suroor

Has delivered smart efforts almost every season since 2020 (missed 2024) and last year's win in the 2m Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan was one of his best; that campaign went the wrong way and he did not perk up when returning for Dubai Gold Cup (20-1) five weeks ago, but holds a cracking chance if returning to his best.

16/1

6th

4

(3)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Dubai Future

9st 5lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Saeed bin Suroor

Given his first crack at 2m in the Dubai Gold Cup this April when he showed far too much toe for his rivals in a steadily run race; held up in rear with a hood added when he emerged in a well-beaten third to Trawlerman in the 2m4f Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, which was well short of his best form, as was his his sixth of eight in the 2m Goodwood Cup; today's stamina test is also likely to ask him too big a question.

25/1

Evs

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 3212-1 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Won this in 2024 and has added three more Group-race wins, the latest on reappearance in this month's Sagaro Stakes at Ascot (2m, good to firm) where he was clear with subsequent Group 1 winner Caballo De Mar; leading claims despite 5lb penalty.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(4)

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

18:12 Sandown

Sweet William

9st 9lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Won this in 2024 and has added three more Group-race wins, the latest on reappearance in this month's Sagaro Stakes at Ascot (2m, good to firm) where he was clear with subsequent Group 1 winner Caballo De Mar; leading claims despite 5lb penalty.

Evs

1st

2

(9)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 7f 209y

Class 1

14:35 Ascot

Sweet William

9st 9lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Headgear and Rab Havlin all starts; not straightforward but he nearly always gives his running, including at this track; he did not have the top stayers to worry about last September when winning his second Doncaster Cup and the same seems to apply today, so he's a leading player.

2/1

2

(4)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 209y

Class 1

12:55 Ascot

Sweet William

9st 9lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Headgear and Rab Havlin all starts; not straightforward but he nearly always gives his running and was third and second in the last two runnings of this race; he did not have the top stayers to worry about last month when winning his second Doncaster Cup and while he had the edge over third-placed Trawlerman in this 12 months ago, he's found that rival too tough to crack in their two clashes this season.

5/1

Form: 1/223-

Last run: 333 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in the Derby at Epsom (1m4f, good) last June and kept on well for third in the Irish Derby at the Curragh (1m4f, good) later that month; absent since but this lightly raced 4yo could be suited by the step up in trip and he's a major player if ready to rumble after his absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(2)

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

18:12 Sandown

Lazy Griff

9st 3lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Johnston

Runner-up in the Derby at Epsom (1m4f, good) last June and kept on well for third in the Irish Derby at the Curragh (1m4f, good) later that month; absent since but this lightly raced 4yo could be suited by the step up in trip and he's a major player if ready to rumble after his absence.

7/2

3

(4)

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

16:10 Curragh

Lazy Griff

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Johnston

Made all in a Group 3 at Chantilly (1m1f, good) on final 2yo start; has matured into a high-class performer, outrunning his odds on two occasions, 25-1 when making Lambourn work for victory in the Chester Vase and 50-1 when chasing home the same opponent in the Derby; stays well and would benefit from further easing in the ground.

10/1

6

(3)

7th Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

15:30 Epsom

Lazy Griff

9st 2lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: Charlie Johnston

Sizeable advance in form when making all in a Group 3 at Chantilly (1m1f, good) on final 2yo start and he looked to have gone the right way over the winter on reappearance in Group 3 Chester Vase (about 1m4f, good) when it wasn't a breeze for Lambourn to get past him; aims much higher now, though.

50/1

Form: 2-2553

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 4lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Beaten in Group races on his last ten starts but went close in the Yorkshire Cup at York (1m6f, good to firm) last May and he was a good third in that same Group 2 a fortnight ago (good); he should be fine back up in trip and might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(3)

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

18:12 Sandown

Epic Poet

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Beaten in Group races on his last ten starts but went close in the Yorkshire Cup at York (1m6f, good to firm) last May and he was a good third in that same Group 2 a fortnight ago (good); he should be fine back up in trip and might not be far away.

7/1

3rd

4

(5)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

16:05 York

Epic Poet

9st 3lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Beaten a head in this last year, despite a highly tactical race; has held his form well (back in Dubai and Saudi Arabia this January-March) and should again be seriously involved, but to win this may require a career best.

5/1

2nd

3

(6)

16th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 5f 61y

Class 1

13:50 Newbury

Epic Poet

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

In fine form this year over 1m6f-2m at Meydan and in Saudi Arabia and continued the good work when staying on for a close second in a slowly run Group 2 Yorkshire Cup (1m6f, good to firm) in May; no show when 25-1 at Royal Ascot (1m4f) on latest outing but shouldn't be far away in this lesser race if there's a decent pace to aim at.

3/1

5th
6 (1)
Paradias

33/1

Form: 2-3135 C

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 4lb

7 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
7yo who has a good record here and has been better than ever in AW handicaps this year, and he wasn't beaten far when fifth of six in Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) four weeks ago; however, his form needs to go to a new level and he's unraced beyond 1m4f on the Flat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(1)

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

18:12 Sandown

Paradias

9st 4lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

7yo who has a good record here and has been better than ever in AW handicaps this year, and he wasn't beaten far when fifth of six in Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) four weeks ago; however, his form needs to go to a new level and he's unraced beyond 1m4f on the Flat.

33/1

5th

5

(6)

1st May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Newmarket

Paradias

9st 5lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Alan King

In the form of his life this winter with a win at Lingfield (1m4f) in February and close calls in his other three outings; those were on AW, which does seem to suit him particularly well, and also in handicaps, which leaves him with something to find in his first Group venture.

40/1

3rd

2

(4)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

16:10 Newcastle (AW)

Paradias

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Alan King

Fourth in this last year on sole previous visit to Newcastle and he's now 3lb higher; went close on first two starts this winter before winning at Lingfield (1m4f) in February; could run well but may prefer a longer trip.

14/1

4/1

Form: 5160-4

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
He hasn't kicked on since beating Epic Poet to win the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer at Newbury (1m5f, good to firm) last August and failed to threaten when fourth in the Yorkshire Cup at York three weeks ago; however, he could improve for that first outing since finishing mid-division in the Melbourne Cup (gelded between those starts); this 4yo remains one to be interested in.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(6)

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

18:12 Sandown

Furthur

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

He hasn't kicked on since beating Epic Poet to win the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer at Newbury (1m5f, good to firm) last August and failed to threaten when fourth in the Yorkshire Cup at York three weeks ago; however, he could improve for that first outing since finishing mid-division in the Melbourne Cup (gelded between those starts); this 4yo remains one to be interested in.

4/1

4th

5

(4)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

16:05 York

Furthur

9st 3lb

J: William Buick

T: Andrew Balding

Best form winning the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer at Newbury (1m5f, good to firm) last August in good style from Epic Poet; creditable sixth in the St Leger at Doncaster (14.5f) and not disgraced when mid-division for the 2m Melbourne Cup in November when last seen; gelded since; could resume his progress and that would bring him back into serious contention.

11/2

6th

2

(6)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 1

15:40 Doncaster

Furthur

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

All this season's races have been on good or firmer; second in the 1m6f Group 2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot, on the heels of Carmers; flopped behind Scandinavia at Newmarket three weeks later but resumed his improvement to win the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer at Newbury (13.2f) four weeks ago, coming from almost last to first in a steadily run, six-runner race to score by 3l; better still is required but that win was delivered in good style.

11/1

40/1

Form: 051-15 D

Last run: 55 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Progressive on AW in the winter with 2m handicap wins at Kempton and Newcastle; however, only fifth of 12 at Newcastle (2m) last month and the suitability of turf is questionable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(8)

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

18:12 Sandown

Duke Of Oxford

9st 4lb

J: David Egan

T: Michael Bell

Progressive on AW in the winter with 2m handicap wins at Kempton and Newcastle; however, only fifth of 12 at Newcastle (2m) last month and the suitability of turf is questionable.

40/1

5th

1

(8)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:42 Newcastle (AW)

Duke Of Oxford

9st 12lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Michael Bell

Second in this in 2024 and fourth last year; won at Kempton (2m) in December and followed up by 3l over this C&D in January; this 6yo is on a career-high mark but is clearly thriving and has to be respected.

11/2

1st

2

(4)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:15 Newcastle (AW)

Duke Of Oxford

9st 9lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Michael Bell

Ran on well to seal the deal over 2m at Kempton last month, taking his record there to 5-7; only 3lb higher and has plenty of form here, including a placing in the Northumberland Plate; player.

7/2

Non-runners

Beylerbeyi

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £93.00
Straight Forecast £46.60
Tricast £116.78
Trifecta £353.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Sweet William

RP RATINGS:

Lazy Griff

LAMBOURN:

Furthur

The Star:

Furthur

The Times:

Lazy Griff

Daily Record:

Lazy Griff

TOPSPEED:

Sweet William

POSTDATA:

Sweet William

NEWMARKET:

Sweet William

Telegraph:

Sweet William

The Guardian:

Sweet William

Daily Mail:

Sweet William

D Express:

Sweet William

Daily Mirror:

Sweet William

The Sun:

Sweet William