July 06 / 14.25 Sandown

14.25

Good

Coral Challenge (Handicap)

  • Prize money: £50960
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
ITV
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Coral Challenge (Handicap)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £2.55

Form: 1/117- D

Last run: 382 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Absent since looking better than the bare result in the 2023 St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot (met major traffic issues; 3-3 previously); still a promising sort and looks interesting on return to action.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(6)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Ascot

Ciceros Gift

9st 2lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Charles Hills

Returns to the scene of his biggest performance but that 100-1 success in last year's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over C&D (good) still seems something of a fluke, having been seemingly helped by the draw; has failed to back up the form in races won by Opera Ballo and Notable Speech this season, beaten about 7l both times; dubious claims.

40/1

7th

1

(4)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

Ciceros Gift

9st 2lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Charles Hills

Didn't have the ideal set-up at Sandown (behind Zeus Olympios) on reappearance but still needs to prove the form of his 100-1 success in last year's Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II (1m, good) at Ascot, where he was possibly helped by the draw, can be backed up; may be flattered by his mark.

33/1

4th

1

(5)

24th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Ciceros Gift

9st 8lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Charles Hills

Dual C&D winner who finished third in this race last year; returns to Sandown but may be flattered by his new rating, having been perhaps helped by the draw when registering a 100-1 success in the Group 1 QEII at Ascot (good) on last appearance; needs to prove he can back up that form.

20/1

13/2

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 94-435

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Good fifth in the Hunt Cup (handicap debut) last month, enhancing his solid record at Royal Ascot and doing well considering he had to wait for a run; clear possibilities off same mark granted better luck.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(2)

26th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 1

16:00 Pontefract

Holloway Boy

9st 7lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

He hasn't won as often as one of his ability probably should but he is a tough and reliable performer who was as good as ever with his excellent second of eight in a Group 2 at Ascot (1m, good to firm) 15 days ago; sets the standard and looks the one to beat.

4/5

2nd

3

(2)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:27 Ascot

Holloway Boy

9st 3lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: K R Burke

Made a solid return to Britain when chasing home Jonquil in a Listed race over the straight 1m here (good to firm) in May but comfortably held in the Royal Hunt Cup back here since; has yet to win above Group 3 level and it's likely that will remain the case.

20/1

17th

1

(4)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Holloway Boy

10st 0lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: K R Burke

Runner-up in C&D Listed contest last time, maintaining his consistency; Royal Ascot record includes a debut success in the 2022 Chesham and creditable fifth (off 7lb lower) in this race in 2024; Jack Nicholls takes off a useful 5lb; solid contender who again should give his running.

16/1

9/2

  • Place: £2.05

Form: 0171-3 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Suited by good/firmer; record of 2-6 for current yard; creditable third in the Royal Hunt Cup last month on seasonal debut; successful in this contest last year and has to be feared despite being 8lb higher this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

3

(10)

2nd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Goodwood

Perotto

9st 9lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Roger Varian

Excellent third in competitive 1m handicaps on both runs this season, firstly the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot (good to firm) and then at Sandown (soft); has won here twice and was a fair seventh in this last year; one to consider.

15/2

3rd

4

(9)

6th Jul 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Sandown

Perotto

9st 7lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Roger Varian

Suited by good/firmer; record of 2-6 for current yard; creditable third in the Royal Hunt Cup last month on seasonal debut; successful in this contest last year and has to be feared despite being 8lb higher this time.

9/2

3rd

8

(17)

19th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:05 Ascot

Perotto

9st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Roger Varian

Suited by good/firmer; won the Britannia at this meeting in 2021; disappointing favourite (only tenth) in this race last year and now has to overcome a lack of recent match practice, having been absent since last-gasp success in the Shergar Cup Mile here ten months ago.

18/1

Form: 3-5821 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 8st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
In career-best form on soft ground the last twice, finishing second to Dual Identity here then cosily going one better at Yarmouth; however, chance may depend on whether he gets a similar surface.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(3)

13th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:20 Goodwood

Magic Memories

10st 1lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Both wins over 1m on soft and although he hasn't found a great deal in two C&D runs since back from a break (favourite latest) they were both in a higher grade; should have more to come at this level; on the premises.

5/2

5th

7

(7)

25th Sep 2024

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Goodwood

Magic Memories

8st 8lb

J: David Egan

T: Gary & Josh Moore

held up in rear, headway over 2f out, disputing third over 1f out, no extra inside final 110yds

9/2

6th

9

(3)

25th Aug 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:25 Goodwood

Magic Memories

9st 4lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Won at Yarmouth (1m, soft) in June and close fourth at Sandown (1m, soft) last month when failing to settle off a steady pace; could build on that latest run when getting a stronger gallop; soft ground would aid cause.

11/2

Form: 41-203 C

Last run: 74 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Last three wins in the Middle East and Hungary; respectable third at Epsom on last appearance but faces a stiffer task off same mark in this stronger field; course success in 2021 came at a lower level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(7)

16th Sep 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 1y

Class 4

17:05 Redcar

Silent Film

9st 13lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Ian Williams

On reduced mark but his last win was two years ago and he has form figures of 887788 since last August; down the list.

16/1

4

(9)

21st Aug 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 3

20:15 Newcastle (AW)

Silent Film

9st 9lb

J: William Carver

T: Ian Williams

Hasn't won a race since September 2023 and not as good as he was; the cheekpieces need to trigger something.

33/1

7

(7)

7th Aug 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Silent Film

8st 13lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: Ian Williams

7yo who is without a win since September 2023 and doesn't appear to be the force of old, but he returned from a break at Newcastle (1m, AW) in June and that seventh gives him something to build on; on reduced mark and he's not ruled out back up in trip.

7/1

Form: 00-513 CD BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Close third behind Two Tempting and Classic in C&D contest three weeks ago, taking his Sandown record to 512113; remains in good form and holds solid claims, albeit perhaps has nothing in hand off present mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(9)

3rd May 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

15:55 Goodwood

Dual Identity

9st 8lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: William Knight

Won at Sandown (1m, soft) last May and close second of 17 at York (1m2f, good to firm) in August; made a satisfactory reappearance when seventh at 40-1 in the Lincoln at Doncaster (1m) five weeks ago and is probably effective at this track, so he's one to consider.

12/1

3rd

2

(9)

3rd May 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

15:55 Goodwood

Dual Identity

9st 8lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: William Knight

Won at Sandown (1m, soft) last May and close second of 17 at York (1m2f, good to firm) in August; made a satisfactory reappearance when seventh at 40-1 in the Lincoln at Doncaster (1m) five weeks ago and is probably effective at this track, so he's one to consider.

12/1

7

(1)

29th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Doncaster

Dual Identity

9st 7lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: William Knight

Below best on first and final starts last season but enjoyed a good campaign, winning at Sandown (1m, soft) in May and close second of 17 at York (1m2f, good to soft) in August; should be suited by a strongly run race at this trip and he's an each-way contender if fully tuned up for his return.

25/1

Form: 10-127 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Landed the Spring Cup at Newbury on seasonal debut and has remained in form since, creditable seventh in the Royal Hunt Cup most recently; ties in with Perotto and Holloway Boy on that effort; not ruled out.
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

Form: -11011 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Productive 5yo who held on by a neck in similar event over C&D (good to soft) last month, taking strike-rate this season to 4-5; never wins by far and a further 2lb rise keeps him competitively weighted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(10)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

Two Tempting

9st 10lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

First of two wins over C&D came in this contest in 2024 off 4lb lower; had a fruitful AW winter campaign; reported to have met with a setback when being readied for Chester's May meeting and returned only when beating just one home in the Golden Mile at Goodwood (1m, good to firm) recently; has a high draw to contend with here and is 3lb higher than his last winning mark.

16/1

17th

7

(15)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Goodwood

Two Tempting

9st 7lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

Very consistent on AW since last turf appearance; respectable seventh, despite enduring a nightmare passage, in this contest two years ago but is 5lb higher and lacks recent match practice in this compensation attempt; absent since March.

33/1

11/2

Form: 142-92 C

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Looked unlucky in similar event over C&D (off 1lb lower) three weeks ago, weaving his way through from the back of the field to split Two Tempting and Dual Identity; scored on this card last year and warrants respect.
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

OUR TIP

Form: 024-14 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Better than ever this term, gamely making all in the Hambleton at York (good) then respectable fourth in Haydock Group 3; returns to handicap level off a career-high mark but can't be dismissed in current form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

8

(4)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 177y

Class 1

13:50 York

Point Lynas

9st 7lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Edward Bethell

Slow ground would be a worry (non-runner due to unsuitable good to soft here on Thursday) and he's unraced over this far; however, this front-runner has an extremely solid record in 1m handicaps here and was a Group 2 runner-up at Ascot (1m) last July; capable of bold bid if conditions suit.

16/1

2nd

3

(3)

26th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 6y

Class 1

16:00 Pontefract

Point Lynas

9st 7lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Front-runner; successful in this race in 2024 but that wide-margin win represents his last victory; solid fourth in a good York handicap in May; should be in the thick of it.

9/4

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £68.60
Straight Forecast £57.88
Tricast £273.45
Trifecta £256.60

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Classic

The Times:

Cicero's Gift

POSTDATA:

Perotto

The Guardian:

Holloway Boy

Telegraph:

Metal Merchant

TOPSPEED:

Two Tempting

The Sun:

Point Lynas

Daily Mail:

Cicero's Gift

RP RATINGS:

Classic

D Express:

Classic

Daily Mirror:

Classic

The Star:

Classic

Daily Record:

Classic

NEWMARKET:

Perotto