April 28 / 13.50 Sandown

13.50

Heavy

bet365 Esher Cup Handicap

  • Prize money: £15462
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 5 runners
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bet365 Esher Cup Handicap

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Abandoned

Form: 1511- CD

Last run: 193 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Unplaced favourite in the Acomb; 3-3 otherwise last season, including a ready success over C&D on soft ground; edged ahead close home in Listed grade at Pontefract (1m, good to soft) on final outing; Dante entry; open to further progress and commands major respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Abandoned

Form: 41-3

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Thrice-raced colt; creditable third to smart prospect Slipofthepen in conditions race at Kempton (1m, AW) most recently; sole turf attempt resulted in soft-ground win at Doncaster last backend; should have more to offer and looks interesting back on grass.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

2

(4)

21st Dec 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

19:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Legend Of Leros

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Evans

His only win came in a 7f Doncaster maiden as a 2yo; struggled for David Evans thus far but he's dropped 22lb since August and many of those runs have come over an inadequate 6f; the booking of Rossa Ryan and the addition of a visor point to a better showing this evening; confidence would increase if backed.

8/1

Form: 21-8

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Seemed to need his reappearance run in good race at Chelmsford (1m, AW); showed plenty of promise on turf last October, including a Newmarket success (7f, good to soft) that has worked out nicely; tongue-tie now fitted; possibilities back in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(3)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:32 Newmarket (July)

Physique

9st 10lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: Micky Fenton

Front-runner who ended a long losing run with a dominant display over C&D (good) last month; struggled on his return visit three weeks ago but that was the Bunbury Cup and he remains well treated on his old form; respected on this big drop back in grade.

6/1

12th

14

(8)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Physique

8st 6lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: Micky Fenton

Has gradually come to hand for new stable and made all, unchallenged, over C&D (good) most recently; 3lb ahead of the assessor under a penalty but another easy lead isn't certain; back up two grades.

25/1

Form: 5115-7 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Appeared to need his AW reappearance; seemingly not disgraced in Group 3 when last seen on turf, though that effort may not be reliable; scored at Ayr (1m, good) on sole handicap attempt but he's now a stone higher in a better race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(3)

12th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Metal Merchant

9st 7lb

J: David Egan

T: John Butler

His last win was in April 2024 but he hasn't been with John Butler for long and he showed signs of a revival when fourth at Newcastle (1m, AW) last month; has claims if he can build on that and he should be fine back at this trip.

9/2

4th

2

(7)

25th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

16:00 Newcastle (AW)

Metal Merchant

10st 1lb

J: Jack Gilligan

T: John Butler

A useful 1m winner at his best for Jack Channon; offered little in two runs for Brian Toomey this spring though and came in last of 14 for John Butler in 7f handicap here four weeks ago; no surprise if he took a step forward though with new yard among the winners.

16/1

14th

10

(1)

27th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

13:40 Newcastle (AW)

Metal Merchant

8st 12lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: John Butler

Smart handicap form for Jack Channon in 2024; well beaten in two runs last year and no sign of a revival in two runs for Brian Toomey this year; starts out for John Butler off a much-reduced mark; worth a market check.

25/1

OUR TIP

Abandoned

Form: 8321- D

Last run: 196 days

W: 8st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Juvenile form figures of 8321 reflect his steady progress, gamely making all in four-runner novice event at Haydock (1m, heavy) the final time; receives plenty of weight all round on handicap debut and represents last year's winning yard; very appealing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(2)

8th Sep 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:10 Ascot

Saxon King

9st 5lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Charles Hills

In good form after returning in May including wins at Newmarket (1m, soft) and Chester (7.7f, good), but out of the frame in his last three starts; may not want the ground to dry out too much and probably needs further than this now in any case.

3/1

5th

9

(7)

26th Aug 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Goodwood

Saxon King

8st 4lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Charles Hills

Progressive against his own age group, winning two of his first three starts (1m, soft/about 7f, good) before having a troubled run in the Britannia at Royal Ascot; however, he wasn't the same horse at Newmarket in July and an easy 7f may be a bare minimum for him.

5/1

Verdict

A fascinating but tricky Esher Cup, as most of the runners have winning form on slow ground and remain unexposed. The percentage call goes to LEGEND OF LEROS, who is 1-1 on turf and could be open to plenty of progress back in this sphere. Saxon King, off bottom weight, is second choice ahead of Physique whose Newmarket win has worked out well. Local Dynasty is only fourth choice from a punting perspective, due to his likely short odds, but he’s a seriously respected contender.[Steve Boow]

Selections

RP Ratings:

Local Dynasty

SPOTLIGHT:

Legend Of Leros

LAMBOURN:

Saxon King

TOPSPEED:

Physique

The Guardian:

Legend Of Leros

The Sun:

Legend Of Leros

POSTDATA:

Local Dynasty

NEWMARKET:

Local Dynasty

The Times:

Local Dynasty

Telegraph:

Local Dynasty

Daily Mail:

Local Dynasty

Daily Mirror:

Local Dynasty

The Star:

Local Dynasty

Daily Record:

Local Dynasty

D Express:

Saxon King