July 05 / 16.50 Sandown

16.50

Good To Firm

Coral Marathon (Listed Race) (Registered As The Esher Stakes)

  • Prize money: £25519.5
  • 2m 0f 50y
  • Class 1
  • 6 runners
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Coral Marathon (Listed Race) (Registered As The Esher Stakes)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.38
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 114-43 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Three-time Group 1 winner, the latest the Cadran at Longchamp (2m4f) last September; this 8yo hasn't matched that form on either outing this season, but his latest performance still reads well in the context of today's race, as he was carrying a 7lb penalty when third of six in the Group 3 Henry II Stakes over C&D (soft) in May; can play a leading role if the ground suits (he's always been kept away from good to firm going).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(7)

29th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:05 Goodwood

Trueshan

9st 12lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Alan King

Needs good ground or softer; grand stayer who has been first, third and fourth on his three appearances in the Goodwood Cup; not disgraced on return in France this May and he got seriously involved every time last season after his first run, but he's a 9yo now and it would be rolling back the years to see him top of the pile today.

40/1

2nd

5

(2)

13th Sep 2024

Good

2m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:35 Doncaster

Trueshan

9st 7lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Alan King

Tricky to settle; beaten a neck by Coltrane in this race in 2022 but he went one better against Sweet William in it in 2023; as in those races, he's usually been kept to ground softer than good, but he was allowed to take his chance on good going on last two starts, hammering his rivals in a Listed race at Sandown but finishing just over 4l adrift of Sweet William and Gregory in the Goodwood Cup last time; a staying star of previous campaigns but on this season's evidence he needs a bit extra.

4/1

13/2

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 118-27

Last run: 27 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
A bit disappointing in Group 3 at Haydock (1m4f, good) four weeks ago, when she faded into seventh; however, she was progressive in handicaps last season and reappeared with a staying-on second in a Group 3 against her own sex at York (1m6f, good to soft) in May; has potential for this 2m trip and she's a player if tapping back into the promise shown at York.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(7)

12th Sep 2024

Good

1m 6f 115y

Class 1

15:35 Doncaster

Night Sparkle

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

In career-best form when at 1m6f-2m this season for three seconds and a fourth; the last two of those races were Group 2s at Goodwood (1m6f second against her own sex; ahead of Grateful) and York (2m fourth against the males) and she should be bang there once again.

7/2

4th

8

(7)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Night Sparkle

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Career-best form to be runner-up at York (1m6f Group 3, good to soft), Sandown (2m Listed, good) and Goodwood (1m6f Group 2, good to firm) in three of her four races this term; those two Group races were against her own sex and she faces a significantly stiffer task today.

10/1

Form: 2-2344

Last run: 19 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Placed in Class 4 handicaps on first two runs this season before 11l fourth of six in Group 3 Henry II Stakes over C&D (soft) in May; better than ever when 3l fourth of six in German Listed race (1m7f, good) last time but her form has to go to a new level if she's to pose a threat today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

27th Mar 2026

Good

2m 5f 56y

Class 4

15:20 Wetherby

Miss Cynthia

11st 8lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

May still have more to offer for Dan Skelton but is by no means certain to follow up a fortuitous win at Fakenham (2m4f) where she was gifted the race when the clear leader exited; now 1lb higher in a stronger event.

13/2

1st

4

18th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 1y

Class 3

14:05 Fakenham

Miss Cynthia

11st 6lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Very useful on the Flat in 2024 and made winning handicap hurdle debut for Lucy Wadham at Market Rasen (2m4f, good to soft) last February before finishing second in a Listed race; safely held on seasonal/stable debut at Kempton just after Christmas but will probably come good for Dan Skelton soon.

7/2

7

17th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 1

15:55 Cheltenham

Miss Cynthia

11st 2lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Lucy Wadham

midfield, mistake 4th

22/1

Form: 4116-5 CD

Last run: 65 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who was a Listed winner at York (1m6f, good to firm) last June and gave his rivals the slip to follow up in the Group 1 Goodwood Cup (2m, good to soft); his season ended with a lesser run, and his comeback was also disappointing, but this C&D winner has leading claims if back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

13th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

1m 6f 44y

Class 2

18:03 Salisbury

Quickthorn

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Hughie Morrison

Front-runner who won this race in 2021, on his way to four Group wins including the Group 1 Goodwood Cup in 2023; the major concern is that his only subsequent run last year was disappointing and something has also been missing in his three races this term, but this is a step down in class and he should still be good enough.

8/13

6th

5

(2)

23rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Quickthorn

9st 5lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Hughie Morrison

Front-runner who gave his rivals the slip in this race two years ago and the Group 1 Goodwood Cup in 2023; the major concern is that his only subsequent run last year was disappointing and so were his two races this term.

12/1

4th

1

(6)

5th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

16:50 Sandown

Quickthorn

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Hughie Morrison

Front-runner who was a Listed winner at York (1m6f, good to firm) last June and gave his rivals the slip to follow up in the Group 1 Goodwood Cup (2m, good to soft); his season ended with a lesser run, and his comeback was also disappointing, but this C&D winner has leading claims if back on song.

7/4

6/1

Form: 53-572 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Won the Cesarewitch (2m2f, good) in 2022 and several good efforts in defeat since, most recently runner-up in the Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot (2m5f, good to firm; albeit no match for winner); needs some of the others to underperform if he's to win this but that's not out of the question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

16th Oct 2025

Good

2m 6f 154y

16:27 Thurles

Run For Oscar

11st 6lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Smart dual-purpose performer although hasn't won since taking 3m1f Kilbeggan conditions hurdle last summer; two recent runs under his belt could give him a fitness edge but lots to find on ratings with Hewick.

7/4

3

8th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 129y

16:50 Galway

Run For Oscar

11st 6lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: C Byrnes

Eight-time winner, including four over hurdles; disappointed on the Flat at Killarney on return from 314-days off; should strip fitter now and handles soft but the majority of his best form has come on good ground; not discounted, especially if the track dries out.

7/2

5th

3

(9)

22nd Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 180y

20:15 Killarney

Run For Oscar

11st 7lb

J: Mr D McGill

T: C Byrnes

Won the 2022 Cesarwitch at Newmarket and last seen finishing fourth in the same race last October; the one to beat on these terms, provided he's ready to rock after his absence.

2/1

OUR TIP

Form: 51-400 CD

Last run: 97 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Won the Group 3 Henry II Stakes over C&D (good) last May for William Haggas and added another Group 3 in Italy in November for Mick Appleby; well beaten in Saudi Arabia and Dubai in February/March on final two runs for that yard and starts out for another new stable with something to prove, but the break may have helped and he's a contender on his best form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(6)

18th May 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

17:15 Newmarket

Roberto Escobarr

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Ian Williams

Dual Group 3 winner (2m/1m7f) for other yards in 2023; he didn't beat many last February-October and 1m4f for last month's reappearance (40-1) was too short; the latter was probably his most encouraging of five runs for current yard, however, and he's been dropped another 4lb since, which makes it 17lb below his peak mark; not ruled out.

16/1

6th

1

(6)

18th May 2025

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

17:15 Newmarket

Roberto Escobarr

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Ian Williams

Dual Group 3 winner (2m/1m7f) for other yards in 2023; he didn't beat many last February-October and 1m4f for last month's reappearance (40-1) was too short; the latter was probably his most encouraging of five runs for current yard, however, and he's been dropped another 4lb since, which makes it 17lb below his peak mark; not ruled out.

16/1

8th

3

(8)

22nd Apr 2025

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 3

15:20 Epsom

Roberto Escobarr

9st 10lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Ian Williams

Dual Group 3 winner (2m/1m7f) for other yards in 2023; he didn't beat many last February-October, including in four races for current yard, and although he's not been sent to the Middle East to start this campaign and is now 13lb below his peak mark, this short a trip asks a big question.

25/1

Non-runners

Sleeping Lion

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.30
Straight Forecast £5.17
Trifecta £25.40

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Quickthorn

POSTDATA:

Trueshan

SPOTLIGHT:

Night Sparkle

NEWMARKET:

Miss Cynthia

Daily Record:

Run For Oscar

The Times:

Night Sparkle

Telegraph:

Night Sparkle

TOPSPEED:

Quickthorn

The Guardian:

Quickthorn

Daily Mail:

Quickthorn

Daily Mirror:

Quickthorn

D Express:

Trueshan

The Sun:

Trueshan

The Star:

Trueshan