July 25 / 20.03 Sandown

20.03

Good

Close Brothers And Cancer Research UK Handicap

  • Prize money: £6019.1
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 4
  • 7 runners
RTV
View Course
Close Brothers And Cancer Research UK Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

OUR TIP

Form: 195056 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 1lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
50-1 winner of Doncaster's Spring Mile (1m, good to soft) and steadied the ship when beaten 3.5l (from off the pace) at Ascot two weeks ago (1m2f, good to firm); others still preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(7)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 35y

Class 4

15:21 Hamilton

Pearl Eye

9st 1lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Awarded the Spring Mile at Doncaster (1m, good to soft) last March and he's fully 12lb lower today; ran well in defeat at Ayr last month on first two starts for this yard (1m/1m1f, good to firm) and he's on the shortlist.

11/4

4th

8

(5)

20th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 20y

Class 4

14:42 Ayr

Pearl Eye

8st 13lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Won six for Darryll Holland, most notably when awarded the Spring Mile in March 2025; lost his way thereafter, and Gay Kelleway (0-4) couldn't rejuvenate; joined Jim Goldie for 13,000gns and there were positive signs when third over 1m here (stable debut) recently; is dangerously handicapped.

9/4

3rd

1

(3)

5th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:00 Ayr

Pearl Eye

9st 9lb

J: Lauren Young

T: Jim Goldie

Fairly useful for Darryll Holland, then form went markedly awry during a brief spell with Gay Kelleway; sold for 13,000gns since last run; market may prove instructive on debut for another new yard.

8/1

Form: 1-3524 D BF

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
The winner bossed it when second over 1m1f at Hamilton (good) and didn't see out 1m2f next time after racing keenly; can go well off this mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

(9)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Newbury

Indalo

9st 2lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Progressive most starts in 2025 and a strong finish took him to within a nose of victory against an all-the-way winner in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket (1m1f, good to firm) on final outing; raised 4lb after that big-race performance but should still be of major interest if tuned up for this return.

8/1

2nd

19

(3)

27th Sep 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Newmarket

Indalo

8st 8lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

Won at Sandown (1m, good) in July then fourth of 16 at Glorious Goodwood (1m1f, good), before winning competitive Racing League handicap at Southwell (1m, AW); appeared to be outstayed over this trip at Goodwood but this 4yo has a progressive profile and could be in the shake-up.

20/1

3

(10)

28th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 3

19:45 Southwell (AW)

Indalo

9st 10lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

Lightly raced 4yo who got off the mark in handicaps when dropped back to 1m at Sandown last month; another big run when fourth of 16 at Glorious Goodwood (1m1f), where he shaped as though the return to 1m would suit; has won on Tapeta and he's one to consider.

11/2

Form: 3126-0

Last run: 83 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
The ground was heavy for last year's win at Nottingham and the following second at Windsor (both at about 1m); beaten long way returned to good ground on reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

(13)

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Doncaster

Desperate Dan

9st 8lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Peter Chapple-Hyam

An ideal type for this prize having ended last term with a C&D win, showing career-best form; that was on heavy but he seems versatile as regards ground; further progress is not out of the question; shortlisted.

7/1

1st

11

(3)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Doncaster

Desperate Dan

9st 1lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Peter Chapple-Hyam

Did well last autumn (including heavy-ground win) and back to form with a 1m Windsor success (good) in September; only a respectable fourth at Nottingham (good to soft) since, though.

10/1

4

(11)

8th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:28 Nottingham

Desperate Dan

9st 9lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Peter Chapple-Hyam

Off the mark in impressive style in this race last year (heavy); returned to form with a Windsor win (1m, good) on latest start, which sees him back up 4lb today (10lb higher than 12 months ago) but on the shortlist.

7/2

Form: 4-127 D

Last run: 55 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Solid form over 1m on the AW and seemed a non-stayer over 1m2f on turf/handicap debut; remains relatively unexposed and a hood is added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

(8)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 3

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Crack On Boys

9st 5lb

J: David Egan

T: Tom Clover

A well-treated dual Tapeta winner at Newcastle who ran in a Class 2 there last time but that was his third below-par performance in succession; has to bounce back.

12/1

8th

5

(4)

16th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

16:30 Newcastle (AW)

Crack On Boys

9st 0lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Tom Clover

Won a Racing League handicap over C&D last summer off 2lb lower; not so good twice since and a personal best is required to maintain his unbeaten record over C&D.

10/1

5th

6

(9)

3rd Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:15 Ascot

Crack On Boys

9st 4lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tom Clover

Encouraging third at Sandown (1m, good) in July on second handicap start then beat 13 rivals to win in the Racing League at Newcastle (1m, AW), where he reverted to hold-up tactics; he's a leading candidate today.

9/2

Form: 732314 D BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 9lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Admirable servant; most recent win came in a seller but was bang there under his penalty back in a handicap at Epsom and can never be ruled out in a race of this nature.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(3)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Orbaan

9st 12lb

J: Sean Levey

T: David O’Meara

Veteran who dipped into a seller for his latest win, at Beverley (8.4f, good to firm) in July; current handicap mark is workable but his AW strike-rate is 0-13 and he needs to rebound from two down-the-field runs.

16/1

2

(3)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Orbaan

9st 12lb

J: Sean Levey

T: David O’Meara

Veteran who dipped into a seller for his latest win, at Beverley (8.4f, good to firm) in July; current handicap mark is workable but his AW strike-rate is 0-13 and he needs to rebound from two down-the-field runs.

16/1

6

(11)

14th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 1y

Class 4

16:00 Lingfield (AW)

Orbaan

9st 9lb

J: J F Egan

T: David O’Meara

Veteran who won a Beverley seller in July; some fair handicap runs since but others may have his measure back on AW (0-12 in this sphere).

12/1

Form: 1453-1 D

Last run: 140 days

W: 9st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Career win number eight in a 1m handicap at Dundalk on final appearance in March; he's fine on turf but difficult to know what form he'll be in after a lengthy break and having changed yards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(10)

24th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

14:14 Lingfield (AW)

Enough Already

9st 10lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Charlie Wallis

Won three times here (1m/1m2f) before his spell in Ireland and showed the ability remains when third of ten over 1m2f at this course last month; only sixth back here again since, though.

16/1

9

(9)

10th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:45 Kempton (AW)

Enough Already

9st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Charlie Wallis

Four modest efforts for current stable this year; dropping down the weights but he has too much to prove for comfort.

50/1

9th

8

(13)

24th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

18:10 Kempton (AW)

Enough Already

9st 7lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Charlie Wallis

Has beaten a total of one rival in three outings for this yard; would be a surprise winner.

66/1

Form: -63133 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
First run after being gelded when comfortably making a successful handicap debut at Windsor (1m, good to firm); hasn't looked ahead of his mark since then, though it was a Class 3 he ran in here last time and Jack Dace returns claiming 7lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

13

(3)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Newbury

Man Of La Mancha

8st 10lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Ralph Beckett

Won three of his seven handicaps (1m-1m1f) last term, including the last two; just fourth of 13 to Spanish Voice when favourite at Newmarket on reappearance but that was respectable; player on peak 2025 effort.

10/1

4th

3

(4)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:55 Newmarket

Man Of La Mancha

9st 11lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

On a roll when last seen, winning at Sandown (1m, soft) and on this course (1m1f, good to firm) in second half of last season; that form looks solid and he's been nudged up only 3lb for the second success; leading claims if ready to roll after seven months off.

11/2

Non-runners

Lunario

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £6.50
Tricast £18.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Man Of La Mancha

RP RATINGS:

Indalo

Daily Mail:

Orbaan

TOPSPEED:

Desperate Dan

POSTDATA:

Man Of La Mancha

The Times:

Man Of La Mancha

The Guardian:

Man Of La Mancha

D Express:

Man Of La Mancha

Daily Record:

Man Of La Mancha

Telegraph:

Indalo

Daily Mirror:

Indalo

The Sun:

Indalo

The Star:

Orbaan