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

3rd

1

(4)

29th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Sandown

Defence Minister

10st 0lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Best efforts at 7f, including on this course; signs of return to form when close seventh of 20 at Glorious Goodwood, having to wait for room; handles good to soft ground; should be thereabouts off the same mark.

10/1

7th

2

(13)

29th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:40 Goodwood

Defence Minister

9st 10lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Finished a fairly close fourth in this last year (good) when the pick of James Doyle from three Wathnan runners; had been gelded before taking a 7f handicap at Kempton (AW) on his reappearance in the spring but it's been downhill in two subsequent starts; hopes pinned on his second visit to Goodwood sparking a revival.

25/1

20th

16

(8)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Defence Minister

9st 3lb

J: James McDonald

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Record is 3-10; gelded prior to reappearance success at Kempton (7f, AW; looked better than ever) and had an excuse (raced in unfavoured group) when never landing a blow in the Victoria Cup over C&D since; could go well, provided this race pans out better.

25/1

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

9th

6

(14)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:00 Goodwood

The Fingal Raven

9st 1lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Seems to need good ground or firmer; gained his only turf success at Meydan but ran well, amid traffic issues, at Glorious Goodwood (7f) most recently; another good effort is not ruled out.

20/1

3rd

8

(1)

29th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:40 Goodwood

The Fingal Raven

9st 8lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Tends to reserve his best for Meydan and he hasn't landed a telling blow in valuable handicaps at Royal Ascot and Newmarket on his last two starts; well drawn and he drops in grade, though.

25/1

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

9th

2

(2)

25th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

12:45 Newmarket (July)

Mudbir

9st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

The winner of three of his seven starts; sent off the red-hot favourite for Ascot's Victoria Cup last month but he failed to fire, finishing 22nd of the 28 runners; gelded soon after and he remains capable of better.

5/2

32

(9)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Mudbir

9st 1lb

T: John & Thady Gosden

Reserve; hindered by traffic issues in his final start of an otherwise progressive 2025 season that featured a Glorious Goodwood win (7f, good to soft); disappointing favourite in the Victoria Cup over C&D on reappearance but has possibilities if a physical tweak (gelded since) works a treat.

9/1

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

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

4th

7

(11)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:10 York

Dance In The Storm

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Has raced exclusively at 7f, winning four of her 12 starts; overcame a wide draw and trouble in running to win at Chester (7f, good) three weeks ago, showing a bright turn of foot and having more in hand than the 1l winning margin might suggest; up 4lb ahead of this belated first 6f run but the way she travels through her races offers serious encouragement that she will improve for it; tops the list.

5/1

1st

5

(10)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:52 Chester

Dance In The Storm

9st 11lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Produced a smart turn of foot to defy a wide draw in a C&D handicap in May; unplaced twice since but her potential hasn't been dimmed, looking stretched by the trip on rain-softened ground at Epsom and then doing best of her group at Royal Ascot; drawn widest again but this mark is unlikely to prove beyond her.

5/2

17th

15

(2)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Dance In The Storm

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Developing into a useful 7f filly and did well to win at Chester (good) on seasonal debut, having been drawn wide and come from quite a difficult position; below-par favourite at Epsom on softer ground since but it may be best to forgive that effort; still of interest.

10/1

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

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

1st

3

(2)

13th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:41 Windsor

City Of Poets

9st 13lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: James Tate

Both handicap wins have come by narrow margins at Class 3 level and it was a deep Class 2 in which he made no impact last time at Sandown; he's not handicapped out of it if he stays this longer distance (unraced beyond 8.6f).

5/1

10th

17

(1)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Sandown

City Of Poets

8st 8lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: James Tate

Has gained both handicap wins in tight finishes at Class 3 level, including at Redcar latest start; may well come up short in this better grade, for all that he receives weight all round.

16/1

1st

1

(10)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 219y

Class 3

15:25 Redcar

City Of Poets

10st 3lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: James Tate

3-9; didn't enjoy much luck when sent off one of the market leaders for the Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m, good to firm) last month, but ran his race when beaten just over a length into fourth of 13 over the same C&D (good) a fortnight later; one for the shortlist down another 1lb.

11/2

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

5

(8)

30th Jun 2026

Good

1m 1f 207y

Class 6

16:13 Brighton

Cartwheel

9st 5lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Dylan Cunha

Having dropped a long way in the weights she looked about ready to strike when third of eight at Leicester (1m2f, good to firm) last month, but she ran poorly back there (1m4f, good) 17 days ago; enough to prove after that.

14/1

8th

3

(5)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 3f 179y

Class 6

20:00 Leicester

Cartwheel

9st 8lb

J: Harry Burns

T: Dylan Cunha

AW novice winner in October 2024 but she's mostly struggled since finishing seventh in the Nell Gwyn last year; has tumbled in the weights and took a step back in the right direction when third here (1m2f, good to firm; first-time tongue-tie) 18 days ago; claims if seeing out this longer trip.

6/1

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

+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