July 05 / 16.12 Sandown

16.12

Good

Coral Celebrating 50 Year Eclipse Sponsorship Handicap

  • Prize money: £12885
  • 0m 7f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
RTV
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Coral Celebrating 50 Year Eclipse Sponsorship Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Form: 116-90

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Promising start to career with two wins over 6f; no progress since, most recently midfield over 1m at Royal Ascot on handicap debut; however, likely to benefit from this drop back in trip/grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

14

(1)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Defence Minister

9st 5lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Low-mileage 4yo who was gelded prior to justifying favouritism with 1l success at Kempton (7f) on AW/seasonal debut, opening his handicap account and taking overall record to 3-9; this Wathnan Racing runner may well be capable of further improvement; ties in closely with Mudbir on Sandown running last July; major contender.

15/2

1st

2

(2)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

13:35 Kempton (AW)

Defence Minister

9st 7lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Good efforts in 7f handicaps at Sandown and Goodwood last July; had excuses at Doncaster when last seen; been gelded since; on a good mark but this free-going sort could do with settling better.

4/1

9th

5

(3)

14th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 6y

Class 2

14:30 Doncaster

Defence Minister

9st 3lb

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Last year's two wins were at 6f (one on good to soft) but this is looking his trip after competitive shows in strong handicaps at Sandown and Goodwood; it was a deep race last time and two of the three ahead of him dominated an Ascot handicap last weekend; firmly in the mix.

9/1

Form: 3-3320 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Consistent spell at Meydan culminated in a creditable effort behind the subsequent 2,000 Guineas winner; down the field at Royal Ascot (1m) returned to British soil but this is an easier task.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(8)

25th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 3

14:45 Epsom

The Fingal Raven

9st 4lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Did well at Meydan earlier in the year (7f/1m) and was a close third at Sandown (7f, good to firm) last month but he didn't really fire at Newmarket (third of six) last time; that took his record to 1-10 and others are more persuasive.

8/1

1

(7)

9th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:17 Newmarket (July)

The Fingal Raven

9st 10lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Did well at Meydan earlier in the year (7f/1m) and bounced back from his no-show in the Britannia with a close third at Sandown (7f, good to firm) to Mudbir who went in again last week at Goodwood; interesting off an untouched mark.

5/1

Form: 1210

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Progressive form this spring featured two wins; soundly beaten at Royal Ascot (kept to 1m) since but has raced only four times and may do better still; shapes as if he'll cope with this drop in distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(8)

16th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Arctic Grey

9st 10lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Richard Hannon

Form figures of 121 to start his career in the spring, including a 1m win off this mark at Goodwood on handicap debut, but he's not lived up to that; gelded before penultimate start, which was a fair effort at Ascot, but he did not show much at Ayr on latest (both on soft).

14/1

11th

9

(9)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

13:15 Ayr

Arctic Grey

8st 13lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Spring performances over 1m (121) represented a very solid start to his career; came up well short in a pair of strong 3yo-only handicaps in the summer but back on track after a gelding operation when fourth of 11 at Ascot (7f, soft) 15 days ago; that was his first outing for two months so he might come on for it; not discounted.

16/1

Form: 2-15

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Thrice-raced colt whose promise features an AW reappearance win; latest effort (kept to 1m) suggests this drop back in trip will suit; sibling to two Group 1 scorers for his connections and should do better still; interesting handicap debutant.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

22th

16

(19)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Mudbir

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Thady Gosden

Well-bred colt whose record of 3-6 overall and 2-3 in handicaps (7f) features a narrow win at Glorious Goodwood; hindered by traffic issues at same venue when last seen (effort best forgiven); cheekpieces worn that day are retained; beat Defence Minister by half a length at Sandown last July; still open to further progress and remains of strong interest.

11/2

8

(12)

23rd Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Goodwood

Mudbir

8st 12lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: John & Thady Gosden

Held on narrowly, having hung briefly left, in 3yo handicap over 7f at Glorious Goodwood to take record to 3-5; this well-bred colt may improve further, provided he takes to first-time headgear; on the shortlist.

9/2

1st

12

(1)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Goodwood

Mudbir

8st 10lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: John & Thady Gosden

Showed promise on soft ground on debut; proved suited by drop back to 7f in Sandown handicap (good to firm) most recently, holding on by half a length and taking record to 2151; bred to do better still, being a sibling to two Group 1 scorers for his connections; respected up just 2lb.

11/2

Form: 5-171 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Registered a ready success in similar event over C&D (good to firm) three weeks ago on turf/handicap debut, settling better in first-time hood and taking record to 2-4; could well improve further in the retained headgear; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(11)

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

Dance In The Storm

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Sometimes races too freely, including when last seen, but otherwise a progressive 7f filly and her form includes good efforts in difficult circumstances at two major festivals last August; remains of interest.

7/2

10th

10

(5)

27th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

17:55 Newmarket

Dance In The Storm

9st 1lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Performed well, despite things not going totally smoothly, in warm 7f handicaps at Glorious Goodwood (went very close) and the York Ebor festival last month; still open to further progress; major player.

9/2

Form: 122-52

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Record is only 1-8 but he's consistent and ran well (close second) over 1m at Newbury last time; getting no help from the assessor, however, and has to deal with the second 5lb rise of his career.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(3)

21st Jan 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:30 Kempton (AW)

Gilet

9st 10lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Warren Greatrex

Yet to win a handicap but not for a lack of effort and he ran well for second over C&D last month; perhaps stretched by 1m2f at Lingfield last month and he is one to take seriously back down in trip.

3/1

11th

8

(4)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Newbury

Gilet

9st 6lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Warren Greatrex

Sole win came in a Lingfield maiden (6f, AW) a year ago, but is back off the same mark as when beaten half a length over C&D (good to firm) in May; soft ground not a problem and each-way claims if reproducing that form.

12/1

3

(4)

5th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:17 Kempton (AW)

Gilet

9st 8lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Warren Greatrex

6f AW maiden winner who seems to stay this trip; not at best on last three starts (hung left returned to AW last time) and will have to fare better if he's to win this.

9/1

Form: 211 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Promising 7f colt who justified favouritism in Wetherby novice event (good to firm) most recently, defying a penalty for his impressive AW win and taking record to 211; the type to progress further and do well in handicaps; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(12)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 3

16:47 Thirsk

City Of Poets

9st 11lb

J: P J McDonald

T: James Tate

Talented on AW and had more in hand than the narrow winning margin suggests when arriving late on the scene at Wolverhampton (about 1m) in November; was carried out of his ground when starting a forward move over C&D (good to firm) recently and has to be of interest in this lower grade.

4/1

9th

9

(9)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

14:40 Thirsk

City Of Poets

9st 2lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: James Tate

Has looked quirky on occasions but he produced a decidedly useful effort when coming with a strong run to get up late in 8.6f Wolverhampton handicap in November; matched that form when a close third there on reappearance six weeks ago; won a fast-ground novice on turf last year (also second here on debut); one of two solid contenders for James Tate.

11/2

3rd

4

(11)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 3

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

City Of Poets

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: James Tate

Has looked quirky on occasions but he came wide and late for a short-head win (from Zryan) over C&D on latest outing, making it three wins from six starts; off 132 days since but raised just 3lb and needs major attention as one of the least exposed runners in this line-up.

5/1

16/1

Form: 19-9

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Slowly away and never involved on reappearance kept to 6f, making it two defeats since debut win; may rebound at some stage but pedigree suggests he's not screaming for this extra furlong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(1)

10th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:00 Leicester

Aparajeo

9st 6lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Clive Cox

Won in spite of some errant tendencies on his 2yo debut last July (6f, good to firm); struggled in a Group 2 next time and two handicap runs this summer (after a gelding operation) haven't been chock full of promise; edging down the weights but others look more appealing.

16/1

8

(2)

5th Jul 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:12 Sandown

Aparajeo

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Clive Cox

Slowly away and never involved on reappearance kept to 6f, making it two defeats since debut win; may rebound at some stage but pedigree suggests he's not screaming for this extra furlong.

16/1

1

(7)

11th Jun 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:40 Kempton (AW)

Aparajeo

9st 10lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Clive Cox

Overcame evident inexperience to win a Windsor novice (6f, good to firm) on his 2yo debut last July; last of nine in the Group 2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood when last seen 314 days ago; gelded prior to his reappearance/handicap debut; unexposed.

6/1

Form: 31-80 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Went up 10lb for a Nell Gwyn effort that may not be reliable form and suffered a heavy defeat in Royal Ascot handicap since; 5lb drop is some help but others have stronger-looking claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(7)

26th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:10 Leicester

Cartwheel

9st 8lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Dylan Cunha

She made a promising start to her career and has tumbled down the weights, but she's struggled to get competitive this season and a major turnaround is needed in a first-time tongue-tie and reapplied hood.

20/1

6th

8

(4)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:18 Windsor

Cartwheel

9st 5lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Dylan Cunha

Kicked off her 2025 campaign in the Group 3 Nell Gwyn Stakes and didn't run too badly; has had six starts in handicaps since but she's struggled in all of them including four runs this year; mark has nosedived but she's has a lot to prove at this new trip; hood removed.

33/1

13th

6

(17)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:47 Doncaster

Cartwheel

10st 12lb

J: Mr Lewis Kent

T: Dylan Cunha

Kicked off her 2025 campaign in the Group 3 Nell Gwyn Stakes and didn't run too badly; subsequent handicap efforts have been poor, beating just two rivals home in five attempts; dropped 23lb but doesn't look ready to capitalise just yet.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £35.40
Straight Forecast £30.02
Tricast £791.38
Trifecta £611.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Dance In The Storm

POSTDATA:

Gilet

TOPSPEED:

City Of Poets

NEWMARKET:

Mudbir

Telegraph:

The Fingal Raven

The Star:

City Of Poets

Daily Record:

City Of Poets

RP RATINGS:

Dance In The Storm

The Times:

Dance In The Storm

Daily Mail:

Dance In The Storm

D Express:

Dance In The Storm

Daily Mirror:

Dance In The Storm

LAMBOURN:

Gilet

The Guardian:

Gilet

The Sun:

Gilet