August 20 / 17.15 Sandown

17.15

Good

Sky Bet Sunday Series Middle Distance Apprentice Handicap

  • Prize money: £18039
  • 1m 1f 209y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
ITV4
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Sky Bet Sunday Series Middle Distance Apprentice Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £7.10
  • Place: £2.30

Form: 055-41

Last run: 53 days

W: 9st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Won easily at Kempton (1m3f, AW) in June on his second start back from an absence; has gone back up 8lb but this 7yo remains very well treated on his old French turf form; one to be interested in.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

(3)

25th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 4f 0y

Class 3

16:01 Newbury

Graignes

9st 0lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: George Baker

Won twice last summer and ground should not be a problem, but he lost his form in Bahrain in the winter and there's not been a significant revival back in Britain for last five outings; 18lb lower than this time last year.

33/1

OUR TIP

20/1

  • Place: £3.40

Form: 2-1635 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Disappointing at Ffos Las last month but running well otherwise this season and she might not be far away if bouncing back to form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(5)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 99y

Class 4

19:40 Windsor

Wisper

9st 10lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Alan King

All seven wins have been on turf and latest was over C&D last June; didn't fire in her final two runs last season but this is a drop back in grade and she won on her seasonal return in 2022 and 2023; needs a close look off dangerous mark.

8/1

5th

2

(8)

4th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

15:50 Newmarket

Wisper

9st 7lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Alan King

Won at Windsor (11.5f) in June and creditable fifth at Glorious Goodwood (1m2f) on penultimate start; well beaten latest (good to soft probably not to blame) and this is her first crack at 1m4f, which is quite interesting.

16/1

6

(8)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Newbury

Wisper

9st 1lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Alan King

Form for new stable features a win at Windsor (11.5f, good to firm) in June and creditable effort at Glorious Goodwood (1m2f, good) last time; remains on career-high mark and is far more exposed than some of these rivals.

16/1

13/2

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 4-4361

Last run: 16 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Faded on sole previous attempt at 1m2f but she's posted two strong finishes over 1m this summer, most recently when getting up late at Newmarket (good); this lightly raced 3yo is open to further improvement now back up in trip, provided conditions suit (well beaten on good to soft last month).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(4)

11th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

17:15 Southwell (AW)

Bint Al Daar

9st 6lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Kevin Frost

C&D winner against her own sex under Joanna Mason early last month off a 2lb lower mark; continued in form since and this is less competitive, so she needs a look.

7/1

8th

7

(11)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Lingfield (AW)

Bint Al Daar

9st 5lb

J: Taylor Fisher

T: Kevin Frost

Ended a 19-race losing run at Southwell (1m3f, Tapeta) last month, but couldn't get going in time when fifth of 12 at Wolverhampton (9.5f, Tapeta) 16 days later; appears to stay this far and holds each-way claims.

20/1

5th

12

(2)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 4

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bint Al Daar

8st 11lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Kevin Frost

Mostly well below form in 2025 but came back down the weights and has often been competitive since October; indeed, Southwell (1m3f, Tapeta) 16 days ago saw her first win since a C&D race in summer 2024; it's possible that she is on her way back but this is a warmer contest.

10/1

8/1

Form: 86-371 CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Won this two years ago (good to soft) and he returned to form with a win at Windsor (1m2f, good) last month; has gone back up 4lb and has never won off a mark this high, but he's still entitled to respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(6)

11th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:12 Windsor

Silver Gunn

11st 2lb

J: Mr Henry Callan

T: Marco Botti

Two of his six wins have come over C&D; can go well fresh so his low-key return to action at Yarmouth last month was disappointing; down in class and has the assistance of Henry Callan in the saddle so he could leave that well behind.

11/2

10th

10

(3)

11th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 23y

Class 4

15:42 Yarmouth

Silver Gunn

9st 2lb

J: David Egan

T: Marco Botti

Course winner who had irregular form in 2025 but he only just failed on his reappearance at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) last spring and he's 4lb lower now; on the cards that he'll return with a good effort.

14/1

7th

8

(6)

23rd Oct 2025

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 4

20:30 Southwell (AW)

Silver Gunn

9st 4lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Marco Botti

Started this season with a near-miss at Windsor (1m2f) in April but comfortably held since; bit to prove, including on the AW.

20/1

Form: 241512 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
4yo who had raced just twice prior to this year; has won twice this summer (1m2f, good to firm/soft) and was a good second at Haydock (1m2f, heavy) a fortnight ago; could still have more to offer and he's a key player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(1)

25th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Windsor

Auld Toon Loon

9st 11lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Tom Dascombe

Ended his 2025 campaign with a half-length success in Class 2 event over C&D (good to firm) and is only 2lb higher back here; possibilities with Chester reappearance under his belt.

5/1

8th

4

(14)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Auld Toon Loon

9st 6lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Tom Dascombe

All four wins at around this trip including one here (soft) in the summer of 2023; looked unlucky when beaten a head in this race off 3lb lower on his reappearance a year ago; won't mind what the weather does, but stall 14 isn't ideal.

12/1

3

(7)

14th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

20:00 Windsor

Auld Toon Loon

9st 11lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Tom Dascombe

May well have won at Chester (10.3f, good) in May granted a clear run; just 1lb higher today but Royal Ascot next time was a backward step and he was tailed-off last in a top handicap at York on latest outing.

12/1

Form: 6-2113 D BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Won at Hamilton (1m3f, good to soft) in May and followed up at Pontefract (1m4f, good to firm); again ran well when third at Haydock a fortnight ago (1m2f, heavy; Auld Toon Loon second) and can give another good account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

(7)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

20:30 Leopardstown

Derry Lad

9st 4lb

J: Jessica O’Gorman

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

Four-time Flat winner at up to 1m4f but not for nearly three years; tried over various trips of late without success; handicapper giving him every chance but others preferred.

16/1

12th

12

(5)

15th Apr 2026

Yielding

1m 2f 0y

14:32 Leopardstown

Derry Lad

8st 11lb

J: Jamie Powell

T: Kevin Thomas Coleman

Four-time Flat winner at up to 1m4f; no sign of his old form in two outings at Dundalk since rejoining his original trainer

25/1

11/1

Form: -93313 C BF

Last run: 66 days

W: 9st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Habitual slow-starter who lost plenty of ground leaving the stalls at Haydock (1m) last time and comes with risks attached; however, in the circumstances he did well to finish third and he won at Goodwood (1m1f) two starts ago; capable of being involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(14)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:45 Newcastle (AW)

Trais Fluors

9st 5lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Linda Perratt

Veteran (13-102); has won just once since late 2024, when edging out Pallas Lord over C&D (15-2) on New Year's Day; kept on after a slow start, fifth of seven, at Ayr (7f; 33-1) four weeks ago.

9/1

5th

8

(2)

5th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 50y

Class 6

15:00 Ayr

Trais Fluors

8st 12lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Linda Perratt

Getting on for three years since his last turf success and this veteran hasn't been at his best at Newcastle of late; opposable back at 7f and returned to the grass.

20/1

7/1

Form: 7124-1 D

Last run: 97 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Made it 2-4 in this visor when winning at Windsor (1m2f, soft) in May, following a break; has also won on good ground; there could still be mileage in his mark and he's a possible contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(5)

12th Jul 2025

Good

1m 6f 34y

Class 3

14:57 Ascot

Junkanoo

9st 1lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Gary & Josh Moore

About 7l behind Diamond Bay at Goodwood (1m6f, good) on final Flat run but has since won well with the blinkers back on over hurdles, albeit an ordinary handicap; Ashley Lewis also takes off a handy 7lb; could have some role to play.

8/1

2

10th Jun 2025

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 4

19:20 Fontwell

Junkanoo

12st 0lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Generally disappointing over hurdles since Plumpton novice win (2m, good to soft) in early 2024 and not seen in this sphere since down-the-field finish in Ascot handicap in December; in fairly good form on the Flat this year, though, and his current hurdle mark ought to be workable; market may guide.

5/1

Form: -07501 CD

Last run: 25 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo who displayed improved form when winning over C&D (good) at 28-1 under Mia Nicholls last month; beat 13 rivals and he can be thereabouts up 4lb if backing up that performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(6)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

14:42 Kempton (AW)

Whitcombe Rockstar

9st 0lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Keiran Burke

Most of his wins have been at 1m but he swooped late on to score over 1m3f in January and led 1f out when asserting in tidy style over 1m4f early this month, both at this track; back up another 5lb and he's a 7yo, but peak form (October 2024) was a little better still and he's now 7-12 at Kempton; on the shortlist.

15/2

1st

5

(5)

2nd Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

16:37 Kempton (AW)

Whitcombe Rockstar

9st 5lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Keiran Burke

Most of his wins have been at 1m but he made it 6-11 at Kempton when swooping late for a last-gasp win over 1m3f in January; up 2lb but he remains well handicapped on his best form and is strongly respected back up in trip.

4/1

1st

9

(7)

28th Jan 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Whitcombe Rockstar

8st 11lb

J: Tyler Heard

T: Keiran Burke

Somewhat interesting off an attractive mark back at Kempton, being 5-10 here, but all of that course form is over 1m; has a mixed record beyond that distance so carries risk back up in trip; however, certainly holds a fighting chance provided he's in top form.

9/1

Non-runners

Belhaven

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £99.60
Straight Forecast £69.18
Tricast £410.73
Trifecta £458.60

Selections

The Times:

Derry Lad

RP RATINGS:

Silver Gunn

Daily Mirror:

Graignes

Daily Record:

Auld Toon Loon

SPOTLIGHT:

Bint Al Daar

WEST COUNTRY:

Whitcombe Rockstar

TOPSPEED:

Junkanoo

Telegraph:

Derry Lad

D Express:

Derry Lad

The Sun:

Derry Lad

POSTDATA:

Silver Gunn

NEWMARKET:

Silver Gunn

The Star:

Graignes