May 25 / 20.12 Sandown

20.12

Good

Racehorse Lotto Whitsun Cup Handicap

  • Prize money: £10308
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
RTV
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Racehorse Lotto Whitsun Cup Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

9/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.50
  • Place: £2.50

Form: 22120- BF

Last run: 241 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Unraced at two and last season went well until running no race on good to soft (previous turf runs on good or quicker) on his final appearance; he had followed his taking maiden success with a runner-up finish on handicap debut at Salisbury (1m) and could continue his progress this campaign; has been gelded.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(1)

2nd Sep 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

13:50 Sandown

Indemnify

10st 1lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Alice Haynes

Won a 1m handicap here (good ground) in May on his final start for Roger Varian and has shaped well back here (1m again) on two of his three subsequent starts for current yard; may need to get the breaks from the inside stall but he's one to be interested in from his mark and the drop to 7f shouldn't pose a problem for one who tends to race freely.

5/1

4th

6

(2)

20th Aug 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:45 Sandown

Indemnify

9st 8lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Alice Haynes

Below par at Newmarket last time but the hood adopted that day is now left off, and he'd previously run two good races in a row over this C&D, with a win and a good fifth of 15 (the latter on stable debut); not ruled out.

11/1

6th

5

(10)

22nd Jul 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket (July)

Indemnify

9st 9lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Alice Haynes

Unexposed 4yo who won twice for Roger Varian, the latest on his Sandown reappearance (1m, good; first start since being gelded) in May; not beaten far into fifth of 15 on stable debut over the same C&D (good to firm) a fortnight ago, but needs to find a bit more from the same mark; hood given a go; yard also runs Maysong.

8/1

10/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 910-03 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Seems ideally suited by slow or good ground and unraced on anything faster; bounced back from his no-show in the Lincoln with a credible third at Ascot when hot on the heels of Yaanaas; lacks that rival's same scope for improvement but entitled to be in the thick of it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(1)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Ascot

Helm Rock

10st 0lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Five-time turf winner who matched that tally on the AW when landing Kempton handicap (1m) in April; never a threat over that C&D last Thursday and it's been a while since he won off a mark this high.

6/1

7th

3

(4)

2nd Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:08 Kempton (AW)

Helm Rock

9st 8lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Won over C&D in April and he went close on Polytrack and turf in his next two starts; didn't really fire at Newmarket (1m, good) last time but he still looks on a workable mark and has claims if he can get back near best.

13/2

6th

2

(1)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:42 Newmarket

Helm Rock

9st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

8yo who has been in fine form this spring, winning at Kempton (1m, AW) last month then going close at Lingfield (1m, AW) and Nottingham (1m, good); there's every chance he'll be bang there once more.

9/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 7/49-4 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Progressed well as a 3yo but was only seen only twice last year, both times on AW in the autumn (first run was better than the second); unlikely that soft ground helped when a well-held fourth on his Leicester return (1m) but he's burdened with top weight and improvers are lurking.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(10)

3rd May 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

15:55 Goodwood

Aerion Power

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Slowly away every time last season and wasn't quite the force of old in a mixed campaign, but he won at Nottingham (1m, good) in June and was a creditable third at Doncaster (1m2f, good) in September; left Sir Michael Stoute for 42,000gns in October and needs to better what he did in 2024.

8/1

8th

3

(10)

3rd May 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

15:55 Goodwood

Aerion Power

9st 8lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Slowly away every time last season and wasn't quite the force of old in a mixed campaign, but he won at Nottingham (1m, good) in June and was a creditable third at Doncaster (1m2f, good) in September; left Sir Michael Stoute for 42,000gns in October and needs to better what he did in 2024.

8/1

7/2

Form: 112 D BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Won his two AW novices with something up his sleeve and looked sure to bring up the hat-trick on his handicap debut at Ascot (1m, good) until the winner (who challenged away from him) went into overdrive late on; didn't make his debut until March and this well-bred 4yo could have a lot more ability in him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(3)

25th May 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

20:12 Sandown

Yaanaas

9st 7lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Roger Varian

Won his two AW novices with something up his sleeve and looked sure to bring up the hat-trick on his handicap debut at Ascot (1m, good) until the winner (who challenged away from him) went into overdrive late on; didn't make his debut until March and this well-bred 4yo could have a lot more ability in him.

7/2

2nd

4

(3)

3rd May 2023

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

13:30 Ascot

Yaanaas

9st 13lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Roger Varian

Out of sister to triple Group 1 winner Almanzor; unraced until this year but won both AW starts at 1m and looked to have plenty of scope when seeing off two unbeaten rivals at Kempton last month; this stiff test can suit; fascinating contender on turf/handicap debut; yard won this in 2018.

15/8

1st

2

(2)

12th Apr 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Yaanaas

9st 11lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Roger Varian

in touch with leaders

9/4

OUR TIP

11/1

Form: 054-52 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Often front-runs, as was the case when finding only one too good at Newmarket (1m, good) three weeks ago; an in-and-out profile casts doubts about him repeating that form which might not be good enough here anyway.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(3)

4th Nov 2023

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Azano

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: David O’Meara

Prominent racer who made all in a 7f handicap at Sandown in September; well beaten in a Listed race at Redcar four weeks ago and yet to shine in three AW starts.

9/1

9th

2

(1)

7th Oct 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:55 Redcar

Azano

9st 2lb

J: David Nolan

T: David O’Meara

Front-runner who got loose on the lead and just managed to hold on in a 7f handicap at Sandown (good) three weeks ago; likely to try something similar here and he did win this race two years ago (unplaced last year).

10/1

1st

4

(6)

15th Sep 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Sandown

Azano

9st 4lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Front-runner who is 3lb below the mark he last defied in July of last year; not looking the horse he was, but this year has hardly been a washout and he could win again sooner or later.

4/1

6th
10 (4)
Dingle

20/1

Form: 5-2313 D BF

Last run: 48 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Not that prolific with just three wins in 21 starts but he's posted his best figures on the AW, the scene for all three of his wins; very pleasing run at Lingfield last time (1m) when never closer than at the finish but there are better options in a race of this nature.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

(11)

25th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

15:47 Newcastle (AW)

Dingle

8st 10lb

J: Ryan Sexton

T: Julie Camacho

All seven wins have been on AW and latest was over C&D in January; found more progress when a close third off this mark at Lingfield (1m, Polytrack) in April but he's been tailed off back on turf in last two runs; now returns to scene of his last success but he needs to bounce back near best.

16/1

22th

7

(22)

15th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

13:45 York

Dingle

9st 9lb

J: David Egan

T: Julie Camacho

Seven-time AW scorer, mainly over 1m, most recently in January; latest effort (failed to beat a rival) took turf record to 0-16; enough to prove back over 7f for first time in five years.

33/1

11th

10

(3)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:30 Ascot

Dingle

9st 1lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Julie Camacho

Had the run of things when winning over Newcastle's 1m in January and has since finished behind both Dosman and Angel Hunter; goes to work today off his 8lb lower turf mark but that's because he's 0-15 on grass.

12/1

14/1

Form: 2/120- D BF

Last run: 237 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Gelded after three defeats as a 2yo; first (soft) and second (good) in two Newmarket handicaps on his return last autumn before a forgettable final run at Ascot (in first-time cheekpieces); current connections went to £100,000 to recruit him off Godolphin and may yet do better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

(2)

30th Apr 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:30 Ascot

Yantarni

8st 13lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Ian Williams

Good spell last summer culminated in a good second off 8lb higher in the Shergar Cup Mile here; not in the same form since, including during a stint in Bahrain.

16/1

8/1

Form: 11-2 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
All three runs in 1m AW novices; conceding 3lb to Yaanaas when mowed down by that rival at Kempton and that was after six months off, so he's entitled to be sharper; dangerous to discount on turf/handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(7)

22nd Jun 2023

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Chelmsford (AW)

Quantico

9st 9lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Archie Watson

raced in second

13/2

33

(33)

21st Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Quantico

8st 7lb

J: Georgia Dobie

T: Archie Watson

Third reserve; solid record (form figures 112) at novice level on AW; failed to keep up the good work in Sandown handicap on the switch to turf, coming home last of eight finishers; something to prove.

40/1

8th

6

(10)

25th May 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

20:12 Sandown

Quantico

9st 6lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

All three runs in 1m AW novices; conceding 3lb to Yaanaas when mowed down by that rival at Kempton and that was after six months off, so he's entitled to be sharper; dangerous to discount on turf/handicap debut.

8/1

Form: 073-50

Last run: 90 days

W: 9st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Useful 7f handicapper in Britain and seemed to see out the 1m okay when a closing, eyecatching fifth at Meydan on his penultimate run (never dangerous over 7f there the final time); his tendency to start slowly continues to hold him back and this strong a handicap takes no prisoners, but the ability is there to take a hand.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

30

(9)

21st Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Light And Dark

8st 9lb

J: David Probert

T: Saeed bin Suroor

Last win came on AW in 2020; raced just eight times since, proving far from consistent; failed to beat a rival on latest start (wore hood); unappealing contender and yard has a much stronger chance with Ghaly.

50/1

9th

2

(7)

11th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

13:35 Goodwood

Light And Dark

10st 0lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Saeed bin Suroor

slowly away, in rear

7/1

3

(5)

25th May 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

20:12 Sandown

Light And Dark

9st 7lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Saeed bin Suroor

Useful 7f handicapper in Britain and seemed to see out the 1m okay when a closing, eyecatching fifth at Meydan on his penultimate run (never dangerous over 7f there the final time); his tendency to start slowly continues to hold him back and this strong a handicap takes no prisoners, but the ability is there to take a hand.

10/1

Form: 2/13-1 D

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Unexposed 4yo who has won two of his four starts and he asserted nicely in the finish when returning from 11 months off for his handicap debut at Kempton (1m, AW; having been gelded); only 7-2 for a hot handicap last week at York only to be withdrawn after breaking out of the stalls; up 6lb but surely has more to give.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(10)

24th Oct 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Assessment

9st 6lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Struggled for Archie Watson this year, his one placed effort coming when second in a Beverley seller in July (8.5f, good to firm); last of ten back in a handicap in August; too much to prove.

16/1

10th

5

(8)

25th Aug 2024

Good

1m 0f 100y

Class 5

17:00 Beverley

Assessment

10st 1lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Archie Watson

Looked useful when winning 1m AW handicap for Sir Michael Stoute in spring 2023 but has largely been disappointing for new stable this year; went close in C&D seller (good to firm) last month but almost certainly needs to better that performance in this handicap.

13/2

2nd

3

(2)

5th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 100y

Class 6

18:35 Beverley

Assessment

10st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Archie Watson

soon led

7/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £54.70
Straight Forecast £48.36
Tricast £373.71
Trifecta £324.00

Selections

POSTDATA:

Assessment

SPOTLIGHT:

Yaanaas

LAMBOURN:

Helm Rock

Telegraph:

Quantico

TOPSPEED:

Azano

D Express:

Light And Dark

RP RATINGS:

Yaanaas

The Times:

Yaanaas

Daily Mail:

Yaanaas

NEWMARKET:

Assessment

Daily Mirror:

Assessment

The Sun:

Assessment

The Star:

Assessment

Daily Record:

Assessment

The Guardian:

Helm Rock