May 27 / 15.00 Haydock

15.00

Good To Firm

Betfred Nifty Fifty Sandy Lane Stakes (Group 2)

  • Prize money: £70887.5
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
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Betfred Nifty Fifty Sandy Lane Stakes (Group 2)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

OUR TIP

11/8 (Won)

  • Win: £2.00
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 1111-0 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Carried all before him as a 2yo, signing off with convincing 7l success in Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh (6f, good; made virtually all); returned sore and wasn't seen again until the 2,000 Guineas when he pulled hard and folded tamely, finishing lame; today's drop back down in distance seems an obvious move, and he's the one to beat if back to his best, but there must be a question mark after such a poor run just three weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(4)

15th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Newmarket (July)

Little Big Bear

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Crowned the European champion 2yo last term; it's still not totally clear that he has fully trained on, having taken advantage of a near-side track bias at Haydock (won Group 2) in May then failed to justify favouritism (beaten just over 1l by Shaquille) in the Commonwealth Cup, but those bare performances still represent smart form; brilliant in Curragh Group 1 last August and that power-packed display is not yet forgotten.

4/1

2nd

2

(2)

23rd Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Little Big Bear

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Had a few excuses for his 2,000 Guineas flop; star performer over sprint distances otherwise and subsequently justified favouritism in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock (6f, good to firm; beat Shouldvebeenaring) where he gained an advantage by racing near the stands' rail but won well enough to think he retains plenty of his juvenile talent; crowned last year's European champion 2yo having been so impressive in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on good ground, and that brilliant success represents the best form in this field; won the Windsor Castle here 12 months ago; has to be greatly feared.

Evs

1st

4

(7)

27th May 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Haydock

Little Big Bear

9st 2lb

J: Frankie Dettori

T: A P O’Brien

Carried all before him as a 2yo, signing off with convincing 7l success in Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh (6f, good; made virtually all); returned sore and wasn't seen again until the 2,000 Guineas when he pulled hard and folded tamely, finishing lame; today's drop back down in distance seems an obvious move, and he's the one to beat if back to his best, but there must be a question mark after such a poor run just three weeks ago.

11/8

16/1

  • Place: £3.90

Form: -15231 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Tough colt with five wins on his CV, including a 7f Listed race at the Guineas meeting at Newmarket; likely to give his all once more but this is a stiffer assignment and he'll need a personal best to follow up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

(1)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Ascot

Shouldvebeenaring

9st 4lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Has won just one of his last 17 races and was tailed off in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes at Newmarket last week; would be a shock winner.

40/1

9th

6

(8)

11th Oct 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Shouldvebeenaring

9st 5lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Richard Hannon

towards rear

9/1

3rd

5

(7)

14th Sep 2024

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 1

15:00 Doncaster

Shouldvebeenaring

9st 6lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Has blown hot and cold this season, best efforts when beaten a nose in Group 2 Duke of York (6f, good) in May and when winning Group 3 at Deauville (6f, good to soft) in July; faced stiff task but well held even so in Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock last week; has a chance if on a going day.

14/1

3/1

Form: 114-3 D BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Last year's Coventry winner; sustained an injury in Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh in August but returned with a promising third of nine to Cold Case in Group 3 at Ascot (6f, good) 24 days ago, giving the impression the outing was just needed; if he builds on that he'll be a strong contender here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(14)

15th Sep 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

15:35 Curragh

Bradsell

9st 6lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

prominent towards near side, led under 2f out, ridden and kept on well final furlong

15/8

1st

1

(3)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 York

Bradsell

9st 13lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Initially raced over 6f but he found his true calling when dropped to 5f in the Group 1 King's Stand at Ascot in 2023, where he was last off the bridle and held a top-class rival at bay; unable to race as prominently in this next time (good to firm) when drawn away from the pace but still managed a good third to the front-running Live In The Dream; had a straightforward task in a Listed race at Deauville on belated return; bold show can be expected.

11/2

7th

6

(9)

10th Sep 2023

Good

0m 5f 0y

14:55 Curragh

Bradsell

9st 5lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

prominent towards near side

5/2

Form: 231-23 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
A paragon of consistency in her eight-race career to date; followed second in 7f Group 3 at Leopardstown in April with third in 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket three weeks ago; races with zest in front, and should take the drop back to 6f in her stride; likely to be in the money again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

15

(5)

15th Sep 2024

Good

0m 5f 0y

15:35 Curragh

Matilda Picotte

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Kieran P Cotter

raced far side, midfield

16/1

2nd

2

(4)

1st Sep 2024

Good

0m 7f 110y

15:30 Tipperary

Matilda Picotte

9st 7lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: Kieran P Cotter

set fast pace, soon clear, ridden and reduced lead over 1f out, headed towards finish

2/1

8th

11

(9)

25th May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

14:30 Curragh

Matilda Picotte

9st 2lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Kieran P Cotter

Smart 2yo who took a while to progress as a 3yo, but ended 2023 on a high, winning a 7f Group 3 at Doncaster and Group 2 Challenge Stakes (both 7f); below best but not disgraced from bad draw in Group 2 at Riyadh in February when last seen; drop in trip and quicker ground unlikely to play to her strengths here.

8/1

5/1

Form: 2311-1 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Reliable (yet to finish out of the first three) and steadily progressive; ended 2022 with victory in the Redcar Two Year Old Trophy and got his 3yo campaign off to the perfect start with a dogged win from the front in Group 3 at Ascot (6f, good) three weeks ago; has solid credentials.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

2

(11)

29th Jun 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:04 Newcastle (AW)

Cold Case

9st 5lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: K R Burke

Progressive at two, winning a big sales race at Doncaster before far too good for 15 rivals in the Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar; impressed at Ascot on last season's reappearance (Group 3; 6f, good) and ended his 3yo campaign with a solid fourth in a Deauville Group 1; this is his AW debut but his dam won at the track and there's no obvious reason he wouldn't be effective on it; one of two runners for Karl Burke.

9/1

Form: 124- D

Last run: 283 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Cost 350,000gns as a yearling; showed useful form last season, including when making a winning debut at Doncaster (6f, good to firm) and when fourth to Guineas winner Chaldean in the Group 3 Acomb at York (7f, good); that leaves him a fair bit to find with several of today's rivals but he's had only three runs and may be able to bridge the gap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15th

5

(8)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Ascot

Mill Stream

9st 4lb

J: William Buick

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Posted a personal best when picking up well from off the pace to land the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket by a neck from Swingalong; perhaps feeling the effects of several hard races when only fifth of 16 in French Group 1 next time, but he now returns from 11 weeks off and may not have reached his ceiling just yet; goes well on a soft surface.

11/1

1st

4

(11)

13th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:35 Newmarket (July)

Mill Stream

9st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

in touch with leaders, headway on far side of group from over 1f out, soon ridden and challenging, led inside final 110yds, kept on well

12/1

3rd

5

(8)

22nd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Mill Stream

9st 5lb

J: William Buick

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Highly progressive last year (including on fast ground) and better than ever when landing the Group 2 Duke Of York Stakes (6f, good) last month; got up late on at York, suggesting today's stiffer course may well be a positive, and this thriving 4yo holds solid claims.

9/2

50/1

Form: 1315-9

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Sprang 50-1 surprise in 5f Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot last June; disappointing twice since and wasn't beaten solely through lack of stamina in 7f Group 3 at Newbury on reappearance; now has something to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(2)

28th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

The Ridler

9st 10lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Richard Fahey

Ended a losing run when gamely fending off another in-form rival over C&D 11 days ago; 3lb rise is not excessive and this is a weaker race, so he has to feature prominently in calculations.

5/2

7th

1

(2)

28th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Newcastle (AW)

The Ridler

9st 10lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Richard Fahey

Ended a losing run when gamely fending off another in-form rival over C&D 11 days ago; 3lb rise is not excessive and this is a weaker race, so he has to feature prominently in calculations.

5/2

1st

8

(1)

17th Dec 2024

Standard

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

The Ridler

9st 4lb

J: Oisin McSweeney

T: Richard Fahey

in touch with leaders, headway over 1f out, ridden and led narrowly final 110yds, kept on

5/1

Form: 1-1117 D

Last run: 63 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Progressed in leaps and bounds last winter, winning five on the bounce at Wolverhampton and Meydan; clearly best effort when quickening smartly to win Group 3 (6f, good) on latter course; only seventh of 15 in Group 1 there when last seen in March but he wasn't beaten far and may not have reached his limit just yet; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(8)

27th May 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Haydock

Al Dasim

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: George Boughey

Progressed in leaps and bounds last winter, winning five on the bounce at Wolverhampton and Meydan; clearly best effort when quickening smartly to win Group 3 (6f, good) on latter course; only seventh of 15 in Group 1 there when last seen in March but he wasn't beaten far and may not have reached his limit just yet; respected.

8/1

1st

1

(6)

12th Nov 2022

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Al Dasim

10st 4lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: George Boughey

pressed leader, led 2f out, soon ridden and went clear, comfortably

1/2

3

(5)

22nd Oct 2022

Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 1

15:00 Doncaster

Al Dasim

9st 3lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: George Boughey

Has had a solid campaign over 5f (including on good to soft) and made it two wins from seven starts when landing 5f AW novice ten days ago; only sixth on sole previous Listed run and he's seemingly exposed, but this step up to 6f is worth exploring and he's an each-way contender.

12/1

Non-runners

Al Dasim

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.40
Straight Forecast £13.75
Tricast £39.46
Trifecta £44.70

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Little Big Bear

SPOTLIGHT:

Bradsell

NEWMARKET:

Al Dasim

TOPSPEED:

Bradsell

LAMBOURN:

Bradsell

The Times:

Bradsell

Daily Mail:

Bradsell

The Star:

Bradsell

POSTDATA:

Little Big Bear

Telegraph:

Little Big Bear

The Guardian:

Little Big Bear

D Express:

Little Big Bear

Daily Mirror:

Little Big Bear

The Sun:

Little Big Bear

Daily Record:

Little Big Bear