July 04 / 16.45 Sandown

16.45

Good

Coral Marathon (Listed Race) (Registered As The Esher Stakes)

  • Prize money: £25519.5
  • 2m 0f 50y
  • Class 1
  • 4 runners
RTV
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Coral Marathon (Listed Race) (Registered As The Esher Stakes)

Runners: 4 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

Form: D15-583

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Campaigned in better races this term, hindered by steady pace over C&D (behind Coltrane) most recently; best form gives him a respectable chance back down in grade; possibilities if taking well to first-time headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(1)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

16:15 Ascot

Al Nayyir

9st 4lb

J: James Doyle

T: Tom Clover

While his form since has not quite reached the heights of 2024, he's still been pretty reliable and got back on the scoresheet at Meydan (1m6f Group 3) in February; however, he twice found Trawlerman far too strong for him in Britain last season and couldn't match Rahiebb late on in last month's Yorkshire Cup; unraced beyond 2m but it's hard to envisage the new trip working sufficiently in his favour.

66/1

2nd

1

(1)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

16:05 York

Al Nayyir

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: Tom Clover

While form since has not quite reached the heights of 2024, he's still been pretty reliable and got back on the scoresheet at Meydan (1m6f Group 3) in February; third in a 2m Group 2 there in March when last seen; wore cheekpieces on last four starts; should be thereabouts.

13/2

3rd

2

(6)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 1

14:25 York

Al Nayyir

9st 5lb

J: James Doyle

T: Tom Clover

So nearly sprung a 33-1 surprise on stable debut in this race last year (good) when his strong finish took him within short head of victory; backed up that form the following month (2m, soft); a notch or two below it this year, including when nearly 10l behind Trawlerman at Sandown (2m) in May but his short-head defeat with first-time cheekpieces there last time was more like it; could be on his way back and needs a second look.

14/1

OUR TIP

Form: 43-225 CD

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Four-time Group winner; well held in the Gold Cup most recently; two attempts over C&D comprise a success in this contest in 2022 and respectable second in Group 3 on penultimate start; solid chance back down in class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(3)

12th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:00 Doncaster

Coltrane

9st 7lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Stalwart of the staying scene, including with a win in this race in 2022 and a creditable fourth in 2024; both were on good to soft (beaten nearly 4l by Sweet William last year) and there was a lesser show on soft ground in the 2023 renewal; not quite as good as he was and he was dropped to a Listed race when winning ten weeks ago when last seen; major place contender if the ground isn't soft.

12/1

3

(5)

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

16:45 Sandown

Coltrane

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Andrew Balding

Four-time Group winner; well held in the Gold Cup most recently; two attempts over C&D comprise a success in this contest in 2022 and respectable second in Group 3 on penultimate start; solid chance back down in class.

9/2

5th

1

(6)

19th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Coltrane

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Stalwart of the top staying races who was at his best in 2023 but not far off it on two occasions in 2024, in a very mixed campaign; runner-up in two four-runner races this season, with latest start better than the first but he was still no match for Trawlerman; second and fifth in the last two Gold Cups and others will have to underperform if he's to win it.

33/1

Form: 57-348

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Useful for Sir Michael Stoute; form for new stable includes two encouraging handicap efforts, latest at Royal Ascot (1m6f); new trip is worth exploring but he needs a career-best performance to win this race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(5)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Real Dream

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Third in this race last year off 3lb higher; competitive only once (Saudi Arabia in February) from six starts this year and there's been no win for very nearly three years, so he's far from being the percentage call.

50/1

13th

6

(1)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Real Dream

9st 11lb

J: Mickael Barzalona

T: Ian Williams

Close up in a Saudi Arabian 1m7f handicap in February (latest run in a tongue-tie that now returns) but that form is none too persuasive in a race of this nature and he's hardly hit the ground running back in Britain; only eighth in this last year off 2lb higher; one for the optimists.

22/1

7th

1

(4)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 2

13:30 Carlisle

Real Dream

9st 12lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Ian Williams

Fourth in handicap in Saudi Arabia on second start this year but has not beaten a rival in two runs back in Britain; difficult to recommend.

25/1

Form: 117-72 BF

Last run: 34 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Three-time Group winner for Henry de Bromhead; went close at York (1m6f) last time when bidding for a second success in the Bronte Cup; could still have extra to offer for new yard; interesting in receipt of the sex allowance, assuming she stays (second crack at 2m).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

9

(6)

9th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Bath

Term Of Endearment

9st 6lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Three-time Group winner (1m4f-1m6f) for Henry de Bromhead when trained in Ireland; 0-4 for new stable this year but was very near to peak form when close second in York Group 3 (1m6f, good) in May, and her Group 2 fourth at Glorious Goodwood (1m6f, good to soft) was respectable.

7/4

4th

7

(1)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Goodwood

Term Of Endearment

9st 9lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Three-time Group winner for Henry de Bromhead, including of this race last year; went close at York in May on second run for new yard, ahead of two of today's opponents, but last of four when 5-6 for a 2m Sandown Listed race (set steady pace, possible non-stayer) four weeks ago; seemingly no ground worries; likely to bounce back with a big run.

3/1

7

(1)

4th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

16:45 Sandown

Term Of Endearment

8st 11lb

J: Shane Foley

T: William Haggas

Three-time Group winner for Henry de Bromhead; went close at York (1m6f) last time when bidding for a second success in the Bronte Cup; could still have extra to offer for new yard; interesting in receipt of the sex allowance, assuming she stays (second crack at 2m).

3/1

Non-runners

Abingworth, Kyle Of Lochalsh, Trueshan

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Term Of Endearment

RP RATINGS:

Trueshan

The Guardian:

Al Nayyir

LAMBOURN:

Coltrane

NEWMARKET:

Term Of Endearment

The Times:

Term Of Endearment

Telegraph:

Term Of Endearment

Daily Mail:

Term Of Endearment

Daily Mirror:

Term Of Endearment

D Express:

Al Nayyir

TOPSPEED:

Trueshan

POSTDATA:

Trueshan

The Sun:

Trueshan

The Star:

Trueshan

Daily Record:

Trueshan