August 21 / 18.42 Sandown

18.42

Good

Sky Bet Sunday Series Stayers Handicap

  • Prize money: £18039
  • 1m 6f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 14 runners
ITV4
View Course
Sky Bet Sunday Series Stayers Handicap

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £10.60
  • Place: £3.40

Form: 1-8316 CD BF

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Nearly always runs his race and gained win number three when he pipped Single over C&D in July; this is more his trip nowadays, as shown with a lesser effort over 1m4f on AW at Kempton 18 days ago, and he may well have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(5)

21st Sep 2024

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:55 Newmarket

Duke Of Verona

8st 7lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Harry Eustace

sweating, in rear

14/1

5th

4

(12)

7th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

17:30 Kempton (AW)

Duke Of Verona

9st 13lb

J: George Wood

T: Harry Eustace

Placed in most of his turf outings this season, beaten only a neck at Goodwood latest when having just his second attempt over 2m; effective on AW and holds solid claims.

5/1

2nd

7

(4)

25th Aug 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Goodwood

Duke Of Verona

9st 7lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Harry Eustace

in touch with leaders, edged left then bit short of room over 1f out, kept on well final 110yds, soon went second, just held

9/2

OUR TIP

7/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: -11114 D BF

Last run: 57 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Won on turf on his first four starts (one at 1m6f, then three at 2m) for new yard this season and then came from out the back to be fourth of 18 in the Northumberland Vase on Newcastle AW, which was a big run in the circumstances; makes more appeal at 2m but still very much one to note.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

15th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:20 Wetherby

Evaluation

11st 12lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Useful Flat racer who is still unexposed over hurdles and was close second in Perth handicap (2m, good) on latest outing two months ago; only 2lb higher here and ought to be right in the thick of things again.

7/2

5

16th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 2

18:07 Perth

Evaluation

10st 2lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Smart handicapper on the Flat; a tad disappointing so far over hurdles given his ability but was close up in a C&D handicap three months ago when a stronger pace would have suited; could yet raise his profile in this discipline; 2lb out of the weights.

5/1

3

15th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 47y

Class 3

15:53 Perth

Evaluation

11st 10lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell

Useful Flat performer (second in the 2024 Northumberland Plate); not as good over hurdles so far, winning over 2m at Ayr on debut in November (good; first run after wind surgery) and last time finishing runner-up at Kelso (2m, good); quite interesting on h'cap debut.

11/4

14/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 244644

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Won two of first four starts but 0-10 since and this season's fall in the weights has not made much difference; has useful form at 1m6f, whereas last three runs were over about 1m4f, so there's a chance that this trip will see him in a better light again despite a tendency to sometimes race freely.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(2)

22nd Jul 2023

Good To Soft

1m 4f 10y

Class 2

16:30 Ripon

Sir Rumi

9st 10lb

J: Owen Lewis

T: Richard Hannon

stumbled start, pushed along briefly soon after start, raced in last

11/2

12th

9

(14)

8th Jul 2023

Good

1m 3f 175y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Sir Rumi

9st 1lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Richard Hannon

Won at Epsom (1m4f, soft) in April and good third at Ascot (1m4f, soft) next time; conditions should have been fine at Goodwood (1m6f, good to firm) last time but he was only sixth of eight and may find this too hot.

14/1

6th

5

(5)

27th May 2023

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Goodwood

Sir Rumi

8st 13lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

Grabbed the favoured stand rail when winning on soft ground at Epsom and a 4lb rise seemed to find him out at Ascot (again 1m4f on soft); may be vulnerable once more, though this faster surface won't faze him.

13/2

Form: 301432

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
An improved performer on good ground and firmer this year, including with two 1m4f wins at Musselburgh; first run beyond that on Flat when good second over 2m at Haydock last time; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

(12)

12th May 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 3

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

El Picador

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Lucinda Russell

steadied start, switched sharply left soon after start, always behind

20/1

11th

10

(12)

12th May 2024

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 3

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

El Picador

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Lucinda Russell

steadied start, switched sharply left soon after start, always behind

20/1

5th
11 (7)
Aggagio

5/1

Form: 313-11 D

Last run: 72 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Two wins over hurdles in March and two on the Flat at Goodwood (on soft over 2m and 1m6f) in May/June; different ground and up another 4lb but he's never been better and latest start suggested he has more to give.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(3)

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:45 Goodwood

Aggagio

9st 9lb

J: Jude Fernandes

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Well held over hurdles in last three runs but he's won plenty under both codes including three over C&D; still 3lb higher than for his win here last June but he needs watching in market back on the Flat; effective on good/good to firm but most of his wins have come on slow ground.

8/1

3rd

4

14th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

14:00 Fontwell

Aggagio

11st 9lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Won plenty under both codes, including over C&D, and has slid to an attractive mark; this is less competitive than the races he's been contesting of late and he's one of the likelier winners back up in trip.

3/1

7th

8

20th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

15:35 Warwick

Aggagio

11st 7lb

J: Ben Pollard

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Five-time hurdle winner who returned to form with clear second at Leicester (1m7f, heavy) in December; only seventh of 12 at Wincanton (1m7f, good to soft) but didn't run badly and he's not discounted.

10/1

Form: 421214 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Won over 1m6f at Wetherby in June and better still when getting up late on over 2m at York in July; below form back at York on latest outing and needs to resume her improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(1)

7th Apr 2023

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 3

14:05 Lingfield (AW)

Danni California

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Richard Spencer

dwelt start, held up in last, headway from 7f out

14/1

1st

3

(4)

23rd Jan 2023

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 4

15:10 Southwell (AW)

Danni California

9st 4lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Richard Spencer

slowly away, in rear, headway on outer 4f out, switched right and towards near side when prominent over 2f out, ridden when led over 1f out, kept on well

11/2

10th

11

(10)

7th Dec 2022

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 2

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Danni California

8st 8lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: Richard Spencer

dwelt start, held up in last

20/1

7/1

Form: 492521 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Wins infrequently but latest start (Newmarket) was one such occasion and she had a very close call against Duke Of Verona over C&D in July on her only appearance at Sandown; probably thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

18

2nd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

2m 4f 97y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Single

8st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: Jack Channon

Not proven over this far (stiff tasks at 2m5f); won at Nottingham (1m6f) in June; not quite so potent in her three runs since and although she's a highly consistent sort, effective at this track, her strike-rate is just 4-50.

33/1

6th

6

(3)

19th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 5f 61y

Class 3

16:45 Newbury

Single

9st 0lb

J: David Probert

T: Jack Channon

Won six-runner handicap on reappearance at Nottingham last month (1m6f, good to firm; from 3lb lower); however, she's been soundly beaten the next twice and needs to raise her game today.

16/1

8th

2

(3)

29th Jun 2024

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

14:35 Newcastle (AW)

Single

9st 12lb

J: David Probert

T: Jack Channon

Faces a tough task under 5lb penalty for Nottingham reappearance win (penultimate start) and has not raced on AW for over three years; effectively back on a career-high mark; opposed.

16/1

Form: 533423

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Made all in Beverley novice (1m2f) in April and he's run creditably in defeat in handicaps on all seven starts since, including twice over C&D; probably bang there again assuming no negative effect from the first-time headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(1)

24th Sep 2022

Standard

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:35 Chelmsford (AW)

Happy

10st 0lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Charlie & Mark Johnston

prominent, went second over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon edged right, headed towards finish

12/1

4th

4

(3)

5th Sep 2022

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 56y

Class 3

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Happy

9st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie & Mark Johnston

led, pushed along and faced challenge from over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, lost third over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong

6/1

8th

12

(5)

21st Aug 2022

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

18:42 Sandown

Happy

9st 4lb

J: Oliver Stammers

T: Charlie & Mark Johnston

raced freely, in touch with leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden and hung right 2f out, weakened final furlong

8/1

Form: -15947

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Three handicap wins in his time with Michael Bell and he made a creditable debut for this stable when seventh of 18 at Glorious Goodwood (1m2f) last month; won well over 11.4f last August but came last of six when tried over 1m6f on AW in November, so he has not proved his stamina.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(5)

3rd Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

16:30 Southwell (AW)

Ace Rothstein

9st 11lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Matt Crawley

led narrowly, headed over 2f out, soon weakened

33/1

6th

2

(5)

3rd Jan 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

16:30 Southwell (AW)

Ace Rothstein

9st 11lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Matt Crawley

led narrowly, headed over 2f out, soon weakened

33/1

6th

11

(7)

19th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

13:45 Southwell (AW)

Ace Rothstein

9st 4lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Matt Crawley

cajoled along soon after start, midfield, outpaced and dropped to rear 3f out, carried head high inside final furlong, kept on final 110yds

50/1

14/1

Form: -25315 CD

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Sometimes makes the running; ran poorly at Ascot on latest outing but has a very solid record at Sandown and should be competitive back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

30th Jan 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

13:00 Chepstow

Dancing Harry

11st 2lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Roger Teal

Fairly useful on the Flat but 0-6 over hurdles; ran well when fifth on return to this sphere at Taunton (2m, good to soft) last month but was below that form on his latest outing and his stamina heads into unknown territory here; others preferred.

10/1

6th

1

12th Jan 2024

Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 5

14:30 Wincanton

Dancing Harry

11st 12lb

J: James Bowen

T: Roger Teal

prominent, disputing second after 3 out, lost position after 2 out, weakened approaching last

8/1

25/1

Form: 15-526

Last run: 148 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Won a Dieppe maiden (1m7f, very soft) last June on final French start; best AW effort for current yard came when second at Kempton (2m) in March; wore cheekpieces last three starts; absent 148 days (withdrawn twice on good ground in May) and needs better but he's lightly raced; market can guide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

19th May 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 48y

Class 5

20:50 Hexham

Justus

11st 12lb

J: Joshua Thompson

T: Micky Hammond

Took big step back in right direction and arguably ran better than bare form suggests when fifth at Wetherby (2m, good to soft) in March, but was generally very disappointing last season; others have more appealing profiles.

16/1

25/1

Form: 13-770

Last run: 106 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Unraced beyond 1m4f; won in small fields over 1m3f and 1m2f last term; finished last on all three starts for new connections, so the effects of wind surgery seem to be key on this first run since May.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

12

(6)

18th Oct 2022

Standard

1m 3f 219y

Class 4

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Barn Owl

9st 6lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Gary Moore

always towards rear

33/1

5th

5

11th Oct 2022

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 4

14:02 Huntingdon

Barn Owl

10st 13lb

J: Jamie Moore

T: Gary Moore

took keen hold, midfield, slow jump and lost position 5 out, pushed along and struggling 4 out, made no impression (jockey said colt hung right-handed)

2/1

12th

7

(10)

21st Aug 2022

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 3

18:42 Sandown

Barn Owl

9st 7lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Gary Moore

always towards rear

25/1

Form: 342-04

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Often front-runner; hasn't won since his 2yo debut; often ran well in handicaps at up to 2m last season but needs better than he's produced on either start this term.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(8)

23rd Aug 2023

Good To Soft

1m 2f 37y

Class 5

17:35 Bath

Star Caliber

9st 12lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Amanda Perrett

Winless since a successful debut at two when with Andrew Balding; hasn't beaten many since returning for this yard and his last 16 starts have been over further.

10/1

6th

9

(2)

15th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 3

15:30 Ascot

Star Caliber

8st 12lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: Amanda Perrett

Still without a win since making a successful debut as a 2yo; ran creditably both starts here (2021) but hasn't beaten many since returning for this yard in April, including when last of three on penultimate start, so others have more pressing claims.

25/1

Form: 513-18 D

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Last season's best form was 1m6f (AW) and he stayed on strongly when winning over 11.4f on soft at Windsor this June on stable debut; raced freely when respectable eighth in a hot 1m4f race last time; not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

24th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 2

15:28 Uttoxeter

Liverpool Knight

10st 13lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Plenty of good runs to his name since his last win in September 2023 and he raced freely after a break when behind Miss Maverick and Sir Galahad here 22 days ago; better can be expected this time.

20/1

6th

7

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

15:50 Uttoxeter

Liverpool Knight

11st 6lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

Has made the frame several times since his last win in September 2023; returns from a winter break on a career-low mark and not out of this if he is ready to roll.

4/1

6

24th Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 87y

Class 3

14:25 Cheltenham

Liverpool Knight

10st 12lb

J: Fern O’Brien

T: Fergal O’Brien

Scores good marks for his consistency for Fergal O'Brien since last autumn but is yet to win for this stable and appears to have very little margin for error off current mark.

12/1

Non-runners

Star Caliber, Liverpool Knight

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £40.10
Straight Forecast £27.97
Tricast £222.90
Trifecta £352.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Evaluation

RP Ratings:

Liverpool Knight

NEWMARKET:

Duke Of Verona

POSTDATA:

Dancing Harry

The Times:

Star Caliber

Daily Mirror:

Happy

The Star:

Danni California

TOPSPEED:

Sir Rumi

Daily Record:

Single

The Sun:

El Picador

Telegraph:

Liverpool Knight

Daily Express:

Duke Of Verona

THE NORTH:

Evaluation

Daily Mail:

Evaluation

LAMBOURN:

Dancing Harry