May 29 / 20.40 Sandown

20.40

Good

Starsports.Bet Whitsun Cup Handicap

  • Prize money: £7731
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 12 runners
RTV
View Course
Starsports.Bet Whitsun Cup Handicap

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 95-110

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Upped in distance for two wins at Wolverhampton (8.6f/9.4f) early this year, with plenty in hand on second occasion but he was well beaten off this 9lb higher mark in a valuable Newcastle race 11 weeks later; has a little bit more more to prove back on turf as well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(2)

29th May 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

20:40 Sandown

Smart Hero

9st 9lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: James Tate

Upped in distance for two wins at Wolverhampton (8.6f/9.4f) early this year, with plenty in hand on second occasion but he was well beaten off this 9lb higher mark in a valuable Newcastle race 11 weeks later; has a little bit more more to prove back on turf as well.

12/1

1

(2)

29th May 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

20:40 Sandown

Smart Hero

9st 9lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: James Tate

Upped in distance for two wins at Wolverhampton (8.6f/9.4f) early this year, with plenty in hand on second occasion but he was well beaten off this 9lb higher mark in a valuable Newcastle race 11 weeks later; has a little bit more more to prove back on turf as well.

12/1

12th

9

(1)

18th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

16:07 Newcastle (AW)

Smart Hero

8st 13lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: James Tate

Two from two since upped in distance, both wins at Wolverhampton (8.5f/9.5f); had plenty in hand last time and should cope with 9lb rise; interesting with further progress plausible.

13/2

Form: 34-409

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
No win since a novice event as 2yo but best efforts last term give him a shout, as does his good run in a warm AW race on 2025 return; two lesser shows have followed (the Lincoln and Thirsk Hunt Cup) and headgear goes on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(12)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Whip Cracker

9st 4lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Richard Hughes

Without a win since his second start as a 2yo, but several good efforts since as when beaten a length into third of 24 in the Newbury Spring Cup (1m, good ) last month; Ryan Moore keeps the ride and rain shouldn't be an issue, but the draw could have been kinder.

6/1

3rd

16

(22)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Newbury

Whip Cracker

9st 1lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Richard Hughes

On a 14-race losing sequence but he was runner-up three times last term, including when beaten a head at Glorious Goodwood (1m1f, good); went off third favourite in a big field at the Curragh on reappearance but didn't give his running; on a retrieval mission with Ryan Moore booked.

12/1

11th

5

(7)

15th Mar 2026

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

16:20 Curragh

Whip Cracker

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Richard Hughes

0-13 since winning in 2023 on his second start but he went close at Goodwood (1m1f, good) last August and again finished second at Yarmouth (1m1f, soft); an interesting runner despite uneven form.

7/1

Form: 44467- D

Last run: 176 days

W: 9st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
3lb lower than when he beat his 16 rivals at Newmarket (1m, good) in April 2024; that was his first run of the season and he showed enough on occasions afterwards to be of interest at the same juncture this time round.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

(21)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:40 Ascot

Hafeet Alain

9st 0lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Ed Walker

9yo who looked as good as ever when making all with something to spare at Sandown (1m, good) in May on his sole run this season; however, he's never defied a mark this high and may be vulnerable in this hot contest.

28/1

Form: 06592- D

Last run: 223 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Sole win (11 races) was in 2022; career-low mark when beaten a neck in first-time blinkers at Haydock (1m, heavy) last October when last seen; now tries cheekpieces but virtually all form suggests that he is vulnerable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(1)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 53y

Class 4

15:50 Leicester

Sierra Blanca

9st 10lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Martyn Meade

On a losing run but was only beaten 3l at Windsor last time (1m, good) and the winner went in again at Doncaster last weekend; handles this ground and should go well.

7/1

3

(1)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 53y

Class 4

15:50 Leicester

Sierra Blanca

9st 10lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Martyn Meade

On a losing run but was only beaten 3l at Windsor last time (1m, good) and the winner went in again at Doncaster last weekend; handles this ground and should go well.

7/1

1

(3)

8th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 31y

Class 4

16:34 Windsor

Sierra Blanca

10st 4lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Martyn Meade

Losing run is mounting up and couldn't take any positives out of this year's efforts.

25/1

Form: 4511- D

Last run: 232 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Well-bred filly whose career shot forwards at Navan (1m) last autumn when she won a maiden (on good) and handicap debut (good to yielding); the latter was just a six-runner race but she did well to give the others first run and squeeze through to snatch it on the line; has since left Michael O'Callaghan (same owners); promising recruit for her new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(7)

27th Jun 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 1

19:05 Newcastle (AW)

Golden Ocean

9st 7lb

J: David Nolan

T: David Menuisier

Well-bred filly whose career shot forwards with two Irish 1m wins last autumn, looking capable of better; subsequently left Michael O'Callaghan (same owners); shaped as if all that ability remains in 1m handicap at Sandown four weeks ago, with no room through most of the closing stages; has a mixed pedigree for stamina (dam won 1m, 1m1f and 10.5f Group 1s) and it's her AW debut, but chief concern at this level is the need for so much improvement.

16/1

6

(1)

29th May 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

20:40 Sandown

Golden Ocean

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: David Menuisier

Well-bred filly whose career shot forwards at Navan (1m) last autumn when she won a maiden (on good) and handicap debut (good to yielding); the latter was just a six-runner race but she did well to give the others first run and squeeze through to snatch it on the line; has since left Michael O'Callaghan (same owners); promising recruit for her new yard.

13/2

6

(1)

29th May 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

20:40 Sandown

Golden Ocean

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: David Menuisier

Well-bred filly whose career shot forwards at Navan (1m) last autumn when she won a maiden (on good) and handicap debut (good to yielding); the latter was just a six-runner race but she did well to give the others first run and squeeze through to snatch it on the line; has since left Michael O'Callaghan (same owners); promising recruit for her new yard.

13/2

Form: 7802-1

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Drew a blank in 2023 and 2024 but was often on the premises and he timed it just right, in the final stride, when putting the record straight in 17-runner Victoria Cup at Ascot (7f, good to firm) 19 days ago on debut for new connections; has run over this far only once (last October) and didn't shine but he's not badly treated up 4lb since Ascot.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(6)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:45 Sandown

Hickory

9st 10lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Third in this last year and improved form later in the season, finishing his campaign in fine form (on various ground); down the field at Ascot on recent return but he was hampered and may have needed the run; not discounted.

10/1

18th

13

(17)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Hickory

9st 5lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Ended last season with a win and second-place finish, enhancing his good record at Ascot; two attempts at this race comprise a creditable fourth in 2024 and narrow success last year; impossible to dismiss, despite being an 8yo who is on another new career-high mark.

11/1

2nd

16

(4)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Hickory

8st 9lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Jamie Osborne

Came from well off the pace to win nicely over C&D a month ago, taking his form figures at Ascot to 23047131 and those were in fierce handicaps; only 3lb higher than last time and course form here is a big selling point.

7/1

Form: 5/810- D

Last run: 341 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Made all in a novice at Windsor (1m, soft) last May but he trailed on handicap debut at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm; 40-1) in June; gelded in December and still unexposed but he needs to resume progress after 11 months off; withdrawn when the ground was good to firm at Windsor on Monday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(5)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

16:55 Yarmouth

Miletus

9st 11lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: James Keane

Sole win from 13 starts came in a 1m novice at Windsor on soft ground in May 2024 when trained by Charlie Hills; runner-up at Lingfield (1m, AW) on stable debut in February and again at Doncaster latest (7f, good to soft; first-time tongue-tie); hood is now added; quicker ground would be a concern.

5/1

2nd

2

(15)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

15:30 Doncaster

Miletus

9st 10lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: James Keane

Novice winner who is 0-9 in handicaps but has started favourite in both runs (1m, AW) for new yard and the way he shaped last time suggests this return to 7f is worth exploring; tongue-tie fitted; possibilities.

5/1

5th

5

(4)

4th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Miletus

9st 6lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: James Keane

Just one win (soft turf) from ten starts for Charlie Hills but made a positive start for his new stable when second of ten at Lingfield (1m) 20 days ago, with the reopposing Mr Baloo in fourth; nudged back up 2lb.

4/1

Form: 243-14

Last run: 61 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
7f novice form was pretty useful on turf and AW; 9-1 for handicap debut in the Spring Mile at Doncaster (good to soft) two months ago and came from mid-division to have his say in fourth of 21; up 1lb but it's easy to envisage him being capable of better.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

1

(2)

21st Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

15:10 Yarmouth

Surrey Shadow

10st 1lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Tom Clover

Finished a close fourth in the Spring Mile at Doncaster in March when rated 6lb higher (1m, good to soft); short of that level in three runs since, including when sent off favourite at Sandown last month (7f, soft; after three months off); drops in class with a hood tried but he comes with risk attached.

10/1

10

(10)

12th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Sandown

Surrey Shadow

8st 12lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Tom Clover

Hasn't kicked on as might have been expected from promising fourth of 21 in Spring Mile at Doncaster (good to soft) in March in two subsequent outings; still has time on his side though and he brings a different profile to most; needs to settle better but quite interesting.

8/1

Form: 057-30 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Won 16-runner handicap at the Newmarket Guineas meeting (1m, good; 1lb lower today) last May; failed to match that afterwards for Ed Walker and although his third at Kempton (1m, AW) in April looked an encouraging first run for new calculations, he flopped (reportedly lost his action) when back for the same Newmarket race 16 days ago; mixed signals but William Buick (on board last time) returns for another crack.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

2

(7)

20th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 5y

Class 4

16:33 Pontefract

Crack Shot

9st 13lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: James Owen

Third in first-time visor (retained since) at Chester (1m2f, good to soft) last month and runner-up at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) since; solid claims.

7/1

5

(2)

28th Sep 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 4

15:55 Newcastle (AW)

Crack Shot

9st 8lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: James Owen

All three wins at 1m and the latest was in May of last year; however, competitive in 1m/1m2f handicaps for current yard and unlucky not to be closer than 2l at Chester last time.

4/1

3rd

8

(11)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

16:00 Chester

Crack Shot

9st 3lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: James Owen

His last win was 16 months ago but that was off 3lb higher at Newmarket (1m, good); held in fourth of ten on stable debut at Chelmsford (7-2) last month but he had to use up some energy to get a prominent position from a wide draw; looks worth another try at this trip and he's not ruled out on second run for James Owen; visor added.

7/1

Form: 11225- D

Last run: 228 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Held up; won handicap debut over 7f on good ground last July and twice in a row over 1m on soft ground last August, before two good seconds; unraced on firmer than good; interesting prospect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

10

(15)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

17:05 York

Arkhalia Flynn

9st 8lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: Jack Channon

Three wins over 7f/1m on good and soft ground in the summer of 2024; looked about ready to strike when second of 12 at Goodwood (1m, good to soft) in June and now 3lb lower, but modest in both starts since; something to prove attempting this far for the first time.

16/1

8th

11

(3)

24th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Goodwood

Arkhalia Flynn

8st 7lb

J: George Bass

T: Jack Channon

Absent since having an excuse (track position) when beaten favourite in the Carlisle Bell three months ago; largely consistent otherwise and ran creditably over C&D earlier in June; rebound plausible.

10/1

5

(5)

25th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 173y

Class 4

16:50 Carlisle

Arkhalia Flynn

9st 8lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Jack Channon

Consistent sort who won three times last year (7f/1m, good/soft) and kept on for second at Goodwood (1m, good to soft) recently; the forecast slow ground is in his favour and he's high on the list for his in-form yard.

4/1

Form: 311-00 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Highly progressive after moving into handicaps last year, winning six times over about 1m with varied tactics; he's not fired on either start this term but has a competitive mark if back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

12

26th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

19:30 Ballinrobe

Atlantic Gamble

10st 13lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Flat winner is 0-5 over hurdles and was well beaten in sole previous handicap off 3lb higher at Limerick on penultimate; best form has come on heavy ground; others preferred.

25/1

6th

1

12th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 166y

17:27 Sligo

Atlantic Gamble

11st 12lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Six-time Flat winner in Britain; not shown much yet hurdling and has to concede weight.

12/1

Form: 2/206- D

Last run: 313 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Good neck second off 1lb lower on reappearance (1m, good) last year but below form on his only two starts since (last May/July); competitive if he returns refreshed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

11

(11)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:50 Newmarket

I Still Have Faith

9st 0lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

On a long losing run but he's twice gone close on AW this year (7f/1m) and fared best of the eight-strong centre group when fifth of 13 here (1m, good to firm) a fortnight ago; might not be far away.

8/1

5th

9

(14)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:55 Newmarket

I Still Have Faith

9st 8lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

On a lengthy losing run but he's knocking firmly at the door, just edged out in a first-time tongue-strap at Lingfield (1m) four weeks ago; goes well at Newmarket and makes plenty of each-way appeal.

14/1

2nd

9

(1)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 3

15:50 Lingfield (AW)

I Still Have Faith

9st 3lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Stuart Williams

From a wide draw he did plenty of early running to get his position at Wolverhampton (7f) two weeks ago and that softened him up in the finish; without a win since 2023, but well drawn, stays this far and a tongue-tie is added.

12/1

Non-runners

Alpha Crucis

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £100.70
Straight Forecast £73.81
Tricast £474.80
Trifecta £732.60

Selections

The Times:

Surrey Shadow

Daily Mirror:

Golden Ocean

SPOTLIGHT:

Arkhalia Flynn

POSTDATA:

Whip Cracker

The Guardian:

Crack Shot

Daily Mail:

Alpha Crucis

NEWMARKET:

I Still Have Faith

LAMBOURN:

Hickory

RP RATINGS:

Hafeet Alain

The Star:

Golden Ocean

Daily Record:

Golden Ocean

Telegraph:

Surrey Shadow

D Express:

Surrey Shadow

The Sun:

Surrey Shadow

TOPSPEED:

Arkhalia Flynn