July 08 / 16.50 Sandown

16.50

Good

Coral Racing Club Handicap

  • Prize money: £12885
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
Coral Racing Club Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.40
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 13-064 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
7f winner during 2yo campaign; steadily back to form this term, most recently fourth over C&D (good to firm) despite taking a good hold; possibilities kept to same scenario, especially if settling better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(6)

4th Sep 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:48 Ascot

Classic

9st 10lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

Won a competitive handicap at Newbury (1m, good) in May and ran really well when third of 18 in the Golden Mile at Goodwood (1m, good to firm) latest, when he had to wait for room; also effective here and could be in the mix.

7/1

3rd

8

(12)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Goodwood

Classic

9st 6lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

Prevailed by a neck from Indalo at Newbury in May but has been unable to confirm the placings in the Royal Hunt Cup and Coral Challenge; current mark is stiffer than the one off which he finished sixth, amid traffic issues, in this race two years ago.

16/1

8th

6

(5)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Sandown

Classic

9st 1lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

Prevailed by a neck from Indalo at Newbury in May; unable to confirm the placings in the Royal Hunt Cup but wasn't disgraced; successful on this card in 2023 (7f handicap) and 2025 (this race); solid claims back here.

10/1

2nd
5 (4)
Novus

4/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 51-716 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Both wins on soft going, latest at Goodwood (7f) in May; ran respectably back on faster surface in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) where she finished sixth of 29; one to consider back down in trip/grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

7

(5)

11th Oct 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

16:45 Newmarket

Novus

9st 5lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Gary & Josh Moore

slowly into stride

9/1

1st

8

(1)

25th Sep 2024

Heavy

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

16:05 Goodwood

Novus

8st 13lb

J: Rhys Clutterbuck

T: Gary & Josh Moore

slowly away, towards rear

9/2

10/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 43-152 D BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Off the mark in 7f AW novice event in April; not disgraced in two turf handicaps since, albeit proved no match for the winner at Salisbury (Class 5) latest; goes into deeper waters upped two grades.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

13

(2)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Tiger Bay

9st 1lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Henry Candy

Reappeared with a useful Listed win at Newmarket (6f, good) in May but has been found wanting in Group 3s since and looks best watched after being brought down in a bad accident at York last month.

22/1

9

(4)

7th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:30 York

Tiger Bay

9st 2lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Henry Candy

Improved form when Listed winner against her own sex at Newmarket (6f, good) and that form has been firmly boosted by the clear runner-up Frost At Dawn; however, two lesser performances have followed in Group 3s at Haydock and here and she needs a much bigger run today.

16/1

4

(1)

11th Jul 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:45 York

Tiger Bay

9st 6lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Henry Candy

Took a good step forward when winning a 6f Listed event at Newmarket in May; never a threat in a 7f Group 3 at Haydock since and likely vulnerable to the 3yos.

16/1

Form: 341 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Thrice-raced colt; showed ability in 1m events won by notable rivals, then proved suited by the drop to 7f at Kempton (AW) where he made all; looks the type to improve further and do well in handicaps; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(6)

28th Aug 2023

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 3

15:05 Epsom

New Business

9st 0lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

dwelt start, raced in last throughout, no impression

3/1

4th

4

(6)

8th Jul 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:50 Sandown

New Business

9st 6lb

J: William Buick

T: Andrew Balding

Thrice-raced colt; showed ability in 1m events won by notable rivals, then proved suited by the drop to 7f at Kempton (AW) where he made all; looks the type to improve further and do well in handicaps; respected.

9/4

Form: 2-511 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Justified favouritism in Kempton novice event (7f, AW) and Ffos Las handicap (7.4f, good; comfortably) the last twice; raced only four times and looks capable of further progress; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(2)

31st Aug 2026

Good

1m 4f 17y

19:25 Roscommon

Merlin The Wizard

9st 10lb

J: Sam Coen

T: R P Cody

Three wins in Britain in 2023 at up to 1m; regressive in 2024 and 2025 seasons; took advantage of a drop in grade when winning a claimer at Limerick and backed that up in a Ballinrobe handicap; two fair runs at the Galway festival; moderate display at Tramore; cheekpieces on now.

12/1

5th

3

(3)

15th Aug 2026

Yielding

1m 4f 0y

18:55 Tramore

Merlin The Wizard

10st 1lb

J: Reese Holohan

T: R P Cody

Three wins in Britain in 2023 at up to 1m; regressive in 2024 and 2025 seasons; took advantage of a drop in grade and forceful tactics when winning a claimer over this trip at Limerick and backed that up in a Ballinrobe handicap off 72 (1m2f, yielding); not too bad in two runs at the Galway festival; good claimer takes off weight and this track may suit.

6/1

6th

10

(14)

30th Jul 2026

Yielding

1m 0f 98y

17:05 Galway

Merlin The Wizard

9st 2lb

J: Gavin Ryan

T: R P Cody

Three wins in Britain in 2023 at up to 1m; regressive in 2024 and 2025 seasons; produced best run for some time at Dundalk in March when good second over 1m; after three more runs, took advantage of a drop in grade when winning a claimer at Limerick; backed that up in a Ballinrobe handicap; was 4lb wrong when ninth in the big handicap here on Tuesday.

8/1

16/1

Form: 00-130 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Gelded prior to his reappearance win at Newbury (7f, soft); has gone backwards in two starts since, which was the same story as a 2yo; proving inconsistent and can be opposed despite dropping in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(10)

20th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 4f 0y

16:45 Leopardstown

Scholarship

8st 13lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Gerard O’Leary

midfield, keeping on when repeatedly short of room from over 1f out, ran on well and went second inside final 110yds, no match for winner

12/1

3

(5)

17th Oct 2024

Yielding

1m 2f 0y

15:35 Curragh

Scholarship

9st 9lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Gerard O’Leary

Only beaten half a length over C&D in June and bounced back from a lesser effort when runner-up over 1m4f at Listowel last month; drop back in trip on slower ground looks ideal and has to be high on the shortlist.

11/4

2nd

7

(3)

23rd Sep 2024

Good To Yielding

1m 4f 0y

16:20 Listowel

Scholarship

9st 2lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Gerard O’Leary

took keen hold, midfield, towards rear after 3f

8/1

12/1

Form: -23315 BF

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
All turf form on soft ground; opened his account at Ascot in May; below par at Thirsk (again over 6f) since but generally consistent otherwise and may bounce back; placed twice over 7f on AW.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

8

(3)

26th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 4

17:15 Windsor

Prospering

9st 4lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Ed Walker

Hasn't kicked on from his Ascot win in May (6f, soft) and he was doing all his best work late on behind Dashing Dick at Newmarket 15 days ago (6f); this sharper test doesn't look favourable.

6/1

4th

9

(3)

11th Aug 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

20:20 Newmarket (July)

Prospering

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Ed Walker

prominent, outpaced from under 2f out, rallied and stayed on inside final furlong, went fourth final strides

6/1

7th

7

(5)

8th Jul 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:50 Sandown

Prospering

8st 12lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Ed Walker

All turf form on soft ground; opened his account at Ascot in May; below par at Thirsk (again over 6f) since but generally consistent otherwise and may bounce back; placed twice over 7f on AW.

12/1

Form: 46-410 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Made all in Limerick maiden (7f, soft) on final start in Ireland; stiff task and well beaten in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot on debut for new yard; drop back in class is a plus.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

6

(7)

8th Jul 2023

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:50 Sandown

Empty Metaphor

9st 5lb

J: Andrea Atzeni

T: M Al Attiya

Made all in Limerick maiden (7f, soft) on final start in Ireland; stiff task and well beaten in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot on debut for new yard; drop back in class is a plus.

33/1

14th

6

(10)

24th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Empty Metaphor

9st 3lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Mohammed Bin Hamad Khalifa Al Attiyah

Off the mark at the fourth attempt for Claire O'Connell in 7f maiden at Limerick in April (soft; unraced on faster) and sold for 70,000gns in May; makes stable debut in a first-time tongue-tie and has plenty to find.

66/1

1st

2

(1)

22nd Apr 2023

Yielding

0m 7f 0y

14:45 Limerick

Empty Metaphor

9st 8lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: Ms Claire O’Connell

made virtually all, shaken up under 2f out, ridden 1f out, kept on well towards finish, always doing enough

5/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £25.80
Straight Forecast £23.14
Tricast £177.99
Trifecta £149.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

New Business

Daily Mirror:

Merlin The Wizard

Daily Mail:

Classic

TOPSPEED:

Tiger Bay

POSTDATA:

Prospering

The Star:

Merlin The Wizard

Daily Record:

Merlin The Wizard

RP RATINGS:

New Business

The Times:

New Business

Telegraph:

New Business

The Guardian:

New Business

D Express:

New Business

The Sun:

Classic