July 26 / 20.10 Sandown

20.10

Good

Cafe Del Mar Handicap

  • Prize money: £6019.1
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
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Cafe Del Mar Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £11.00
  • Place: £2.50

Form: 7-1101 C

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Won a 1m2f handicap at this two-day fixture last year and returns to Sandown after winning three of his last four on the AW; did it comfortably last time so a 6lb rise might not be the end of the world.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(6)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

14:42 Kempton (AW)

Whitcombe Rockstar

9st 0lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Keiran Burke

Most of his wins have been at 1m but he swooped late on to score over 1m3f in January and led 1f out when asserting in tidy style over 1m4f early this month, both at this track; back up another 5lb and he's a 7yo, but peak form (October 2024) was a little better still and he's now 7-12 at Kempton; on the shortlist.

15/2

1st

5

(5)

2nd Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

16:37 Kempton (AW)

Whitcombe Rockstar

9st 5lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Keiran Burke

Most of his wins have been at 1m but he made it 6-11 at Kempton when swooping late for a last-gasp win over 1m3f in January; up 2lb but he remains well handicapped on his best form and is strongly respected back up in trip.

4/1

1st

9

(7)

28th Jan 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Whitcombe Rockstar

8st 11lb

J: Tyler Heard

T: Keiran Burke

Somewhat interesting off an attractive mark back at Kempton, being 5-10 here, but all of that course form is over 1m; has a mixed record beyond that distance so carries risk back up in trip; however, certainly holds a fighting chance provided he's in top form.

9/1

16/1

  • Place: £4.20

Form: /6-482 D

Last run: 159 days

W: 9st 11lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Best when held up off a strong pace and granted that scenario he just missed out at Kempton when last seen in February; however, has always been more convincing on the AW and hasn't shone here in the past.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(8)

10th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

15:48 Lingfield (AW)

Plantadream

9st 6lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Karen Jewell

Veteran who finished runner-up in his only previous go over C&D, but that was in 2020; exclusively campaigned over 1m these days and is on a losing run of 23, so has enough to prove.

16/1

6th

11

(7)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:17 Newmarket

Plantadream

9st 0lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Karen Jewell

10yo whose losing sequence goes back 19 runs to 2020; ran some big races last season but seen only twice this year (both Goodwood), failing to build on comeback sixth (Linwood third) when down the field three weeks ago.

33/1

6th

11

(7)

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

14:17 Newmarket

Plantadream

9st 0lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Karen Jewell

10yo whose losing sequence goes back 19 runs to 2020; ran some big races last season but seen only twice this year (both Goodwood), failing to build on comeback sixth (Linwood third) when down the field three weeks ago.

33/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 2-5215 BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in a Leicester handicap (1m, good to soft) before a successful return to maiden company at Nottingham (1m, good); missing the break didn't help when never seriously involved behind Whitcombe Rockstar at Kempton; cheekpieces could be an interesting addition; major chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

9th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:15 Haydock

Indemnity

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Emma Lavelle

4-6 on good ground over hurdles, notching another personal best when returning from a break to win readily at Plumpton (2m; 15-2) last month; a 10lb rise demands further improvement but he's thriving and should encounter suitable conditions again.

5/1

1st

7

5th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 2

16:05 Plumpton

Indemnity

11st 3lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Very progressive in completing a good-ground hat-trick last year and when third to Tutti Quanti in a Class 1 handicap at Newbury in November (soft); still on a competitive mark despite all that and for whatever reason he didn't show his true form at Kempton on final sighting at Christmas; if forgiven that, and he's had a break, then he enters the picture.

5/1

6

1st Nov 2025

Good

1m 7f 157y

Class 2

15:10 Ascot

Indemnity

10st 12lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Emma Lavelle

Pretty useful in 2024 on Flat; won on good ground at Huntingdon, Warwick and Market Rasen (2m1f) in all three of his handicap hurdles, with mistakes at the last two flights on latest outing but he'd travelled much the best and won by nearly 2l; up another 6lb and in class but he keeps looking as if he has more up his sleeve.

6/1

Form: 119-74

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Still early days for him in handicaps and this dual novice winner was only 2l away last time at Newbury (7f, good to firm); trainer happy to return to 1m and he's in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(8)

16th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Newbury

Game Set

10st 1lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Owen Burrows

Dual novice winner; 0-4 in handicaps but only 2l away in his last two (7f/1m) and blinkers could be a notable addition as he was on and off the bridle last time at Sandown.

9/2

4th

4

(7)

26th Jul 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

20:10 Sandown

Game Set

9st 13lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Owen Burrows

Still early days for him in handicaps and this dual novice winner was only 2l away last time at Newbury (7f, good to firm); trainer happy to return to 1m and he's in the mix.

8/1

4th

7

(10)

13th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:30 Newbury

Game Set

9st 3lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Owen Burrows

Three runs over 7f last summer, winning two novices (Doncaster and Wolverhampton) before reportedly unsuited by soft ground on handicap debut; 305-day absence before respectable seventh of 12 at Kempton (1m, AW; 13-2) three weeks ago; needs to improve his turf form and these are early days.

10/1

Form: 8-6054 CD

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Won this race three years ago; slow starts have become a habit but off a reduced mark he ran his best race of the season last time at Windsor (1m, good); could have a part to play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(13)

3rd Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 4

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Lyndon B

9st 9lb

J: William Carson

T: John & Rhys Flint

Ended a losing run at Windsor in June but only five ran there and he has finished down the field in three runs since; looks vulnerable once again.

33/1

4

(6)

8th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 31y

Class 4

16:34 Windsor

Lyndon B

10st 2lb

J: William Carson

T: John & Rhys Flint

Only beat four rivals for his 1m win here in June and was pretty much last in his two races on either side of that; again beat just the one home here 16 days ago.

14/1

6th

2

(2)

23rd Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 31y

Class 4

19:15 Windsor

Lyndon B

9st 12lb

J: William Carson

T: John & Rhys Flint

Snapped a losing run when beating four rivals over C&D (good to firm) in June but he's not easy predict and was last of 13 at Chepstow two weeks ago; needs to bounce back again after that and he comes with risks attached.

8/1

OUR TIP

7/2

Form: 503391 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 10st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Had a lot of racing but it was his first time over 1m when strong in the finish to win a Pontefract handicap on good last week for which he is penalised; looks sure to give his running once more and be involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

12

(2)

23rd Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:40 Kempton (AW)

Love De Vega

9st 5lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Charlie Johnston

took keen hold, pressed leader early, in touch with leaders after 1f

14/1

6th

5

(6)

25th Sep 2024

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:55 Goodwood

Love De Vega

9st 4lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Charlie Johnston

raced in second, lost position over 2f out, weakened from over 1f out

10/1

8th

3

(1)

26th Aug 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:47 Ripon

Love De Vega

9st 8lb

J: James Doyle

T: Charlie Johnston

Three wins in a busy campaign this year, the latest at Pontefract (1m, good) last month; another solid effort when second of 13 in a Racing League handicap at Windsor (1m, good to firm) 11 days ago and although up another 3lb, still makes the shortlist.

11/2

10/1

Form: -22744

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Record of 1-5 before being gelded and he then finished fourth of the five runners in a 7f soft-ground handicap here three weeks ago; confined to 7f thus far so could improve for going a mile.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(1)

1st Jun 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Lessay

9st 6lb

J: David Nolan

T: Patrick Morris

Three AW wins, the latest over C&D in December; went through a quiet spell since his most recent 7f run here (in January) but fared better back over C&D in May when going close off a reduced mark; bang there.

7/1

2nd

6

(6)

8th May 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

20:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Lessay

9st 5lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Patrick Morris

Not at his best of late, but has dropped 8lb lower than when successful over C&D in January; needs a resurgence, but is too well handicapped to ignore.

20/1

7th

3

(3)

6th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

13:55 Wolverhampton (AW)

Lessay

9st 8lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Patrick Morris

Kept on well to score over 7f here (10-1; from 5lb higher) in December; form has dipped since February, slowly away, failing to beat a single rival at Newcastle (1m) just over a fortnight ago; needs to rediscover a spark.

12/1

9/1

Form: 0-9784

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
After two wins, last season ended prematurely after finishing mid-division in the Britannia at Royal Ascot; this campaign has been a slow-burner but the signs were more positive when fourth at Epsom (7f) and he's since left James Ferguson for 55,000gns; only had the eight races and has never been lower in the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(8)

1st Jun 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Good Karma

9st 7lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: John David Riches

Things didn't pan out for him when back over 6f here in April (first-time visor; cheekpieces now refitted) but he has a good C&D record, winning once and close up in all three handicaps; has a good run in him.

10/1

4th

8

(1)

17th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

14:08 Wolverhampton (AW)

Good Karma

9st 4lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: John David Riches

Went close here (7f) on his penultimate run but he's not easy to predict and was well held when favourite at Thirsk (7f, good) last Friday; needs to step up again after that and all of his three wins have been over 7f; first-time visor.

15/2

7th

8

(4)

10th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:35 Thirsk

Good Karma

9st 8lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: John David Riches

Three-time winner and has been shaping as though his turn could be near once more, going down narrowly the last twice at Wolverhampton (7f); can race keenly but if getting some cover from stall 4 he should be on the scene.

13/2

Non-runners

Island Bandit, War Chant

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £177.70
Straight Forecast £230.82
Tricast £985.75
Trifecta £790.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Indemnity

TOPSPEED:

Lyndon B

Daily Mail:

Love De Vega

The Times:

Lessay

The Sun:

Good Karma

D Express:

Whitcombe Rockstar

The Guardian:

Plantadream

RP RATINGS:

Indemnity

NEWMARKET:

Indemnity

Telegraph:

Indemnity

Daily Mirror:

Indemnity

Daily Record:

Love De Vega

POSTDATA:

Lyndon B

The Star:

Lyndon B