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

2nd

11

(6)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:00 Beverley

Physique

9st 1lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: Micky Fenton

Has rejoined Micky Fenton and not seen to ideal effect under an aggressive ride when third of seven in 7f Yarmouth handicap 17 days ago; can make his presence felt off a 2lb lower mark here.

8/1

3rd

3

(4)

13th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

16:28 Yarmouth

Physique

9st 8lb

J: Grace McEntee

T: Micky Fenton

Dual 7f winner (good to soft/heavy) and he was placed off higher marks than this when trained by Pam Sly last year; below his best in two starts since returning to this yard but he did have excuses at Newmarket 27 days ago having stumbled at the start and sat up with a strong pace; chance now dropped in grade.

6/1

15th

18

(6)

16th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Newmarket

Physique

8st 10lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Micky Fenton

C&D novice winner back in the day and he was trained by Micky Fenton in Ireland when landing big Galway handicap (7f, heavy) in 2024; back with his former trainer (in Newmarket this time) when weakening over 6f at Doncaster 18 days ago; might step forward from that comeback.

16/1

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

13th

6

(9)

22nd May 2026

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:52 Goodwood

Metal Merchant

9st 9lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Brian Toomey

Showed notable handicap form in 2024 but has posted duck eggs in three runs since that campaign and needs to prove he retains ability; best watched on second run for new yard, unless the market suggests otherwise.

25/1

20th

19

(15)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:32 Doncaster

Metal Merchant

9st 1lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Brian Toomey

Well treated on his 2024 form for Jack Channon and he won the Spring Mile at Newbury (1m, good to soft) on his reappearance that season; however, just two runs last term, finishing down the field in April/May, and he has plenty to prove making his stable debut after an absence; blinkers go on.

40/1

12th

10

(15)

10th May 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Ascot

Metal Merchant

9st 1lb

J: David Probert

T: Jack Channon

Last three wins over 1m, most recently the 2024 Spring Cup; however, finished a close fourth in major C&D handicap last July and could go well with Haydock reappearance under his belt.

12/1

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