May 28 / 17.10 Sandown

17.10

Good

Star Sports Handicap

  • Prize money: £6019.1
  • 0m 5f 10y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
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Star Sports Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

20/1 (Won)

  • Win: £16.10
  • Place: £3.80

Form: 7274-7

Last run: 31 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Sole start at 5f came at this track and it was his best effort too, when second of nine in a maiden (good) in August; last two runs were at 7f and didn't scream he's desperate for this return to 5f; not handicapped out of things, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

(10)

29th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 10y

Class 4

17:10 Sandown

Havana Smile

9st 0lb

J: Toby Moore

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Off the mark in C&D handicap (good) in May but has failed to back it up twice since, including here; bounce back needed with Toby Moore taking 7lb off.

12/1

5th

4

(5)

23rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 10y

Class 4

13:55 Sandown

Havana Smile

9st 8lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Merely sixth of eight at Goodwood last month but his two best performances have coincided with his two visits to Sandown, including a C&D win (good) in May; this lightly raced 3yo is firmly in calculations back here.

9/2

4/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 3217-0

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Won a 7f Newmarket maiden (good) in October but finished down the field having led in French heavy-ground Listed race next time; weakened when attempting 1m on his comeback in April but this first start at 5f since his 2yo debut is still something of a surprise; fascinating to see what he makes of it in an additional tongue-tie with Oisin Murphy steering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(1)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 34y

Class 3

13:55 Newbury

Major Neigh Sayer

9st 7lb

J: P J McDonald

T: George Scott

Won a 7f novice as a 2yo and he ran over 1m on his reappearance, but his two runs since have been over this distance; went off favourite but met trouble on both occasions, and he has since been gelded; hard to pin down but he's relatively lightly raced and probably has more to offer.

8/1

4th

1

(5)

6th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

16:45 Musselburgh

Major Neigh Sayer

9st 10lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: George Scott

Won a 7f novice as a 2yo and he was tried over 1m on his seasonal/handicap debut in April; dropped to 5f at Sandown nine days ago (tongue tied first time; well backed) and travelled well but met some trouble at a crucial stage; that race set up for the closers and this is a sharper test but he could well have more to offer as a sprinter; cheekpieces now added.

2/1

2nd

4

(2)

28th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 10y

Class 4

17:10 Sandown

Major Neigh Sayer

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: George Scott

Won a 7f Newmarket maiden (good) in October but finished down the field having led in French heavy-ground Listed race next time; weakened when attempting 1m on his comeback in April but this first start at 5f since his 2yo debut is still something of a surprise; fascinating to see what he makes of it in an additional tongue-tie with Oisin Murphy steering.

4/1

11/2

  • Place: £3.40

Form: P4529- D

Last run: 230 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Off the mark on her third start when taking a Windsor maiden (good to firm) in June and it was a fine effort when second of 12 in Listed event at Ayr (also 5f, soft) in September; makes her handicap debut on this reappearance and she warrants respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

8

(11)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Newmarket (July)

Our Cody

9st 5lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Richard Hughes

Record is only 1-10 but she's fairly useful and has performed well in 5f contests (handicap/Listed) at Sandown this term; played up beforehand and withdrawn from an intended engagement at York two weeks ago; Ryan Moore booked and she could do better yet.

11/4

6

(6)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:25 York

Our Cody

9st 3lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Richard Hughes

Record is only 1-10 but she's fairly useful and has performed well in 5f contests (handicap/Listed) at Sandown this term; perhaps best not to take latest effort literally but in going back up just 1lb the assessor hasn't overreacted; again has frame possibilities.

7/1

31

(7)

19th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Our Cody

8st 6lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Richard Hughes

Reserve; she has built on her 2yo form in two runs this season, finishing third in a handicap and a Listed race (not clear run) at Sandown (both 5f, good); wouldn't be out of this if getting a run; hood tried for the first time.

20/1

6/1

Form: 223-15

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
In the placings on all five starts on a variety of surfaces as a juvenile (6f/7f) and he deservedly made the breakthrough on his reappearance at Newcastle (6f, AW) last month; respectable fifth of 14 at Hamilton on his recent handicap debut and this experiment at 5f looks worth a go.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

(6)

28th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 10y

Class 4

17:10 Sandown

Gouken

9st 6lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

In the placings on all five starts on a variety of surfaces as a juvenile (6f/7f) and he deservedly made the breakthrough on his reappearance at Newcastle (6f, AW) last month; respectable fifth of 14 at Hamilton on his recent handicap debut and this experiment at 5f looks worth a go.

6/1

5th

5

(4)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

16:15 Hamilton

Gouken

9st 6lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Ed Walker

Placed on all his five runs at 2yrs before (gelded) getting off the mark in 6f Newcastle maiden on his return last month; he must enter calculations back in handicap company.

9/1

1st

3

(8)

20th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Gouken

9st 5lb

J: George Downing

T: Ed Walker

The most experienced of these and has been placed on all five starts at 6f and 7f; has been gelded since his last run in October and he should go close.

5/4

5th
7 (4)
Akirra

100/30

Form: 15214- D

Last run: 178 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
All starts at 5f; fast turf no problem when runner-up at Windsor (latterly promoted to first) in August and he bolted up in Wolverhampton maiden in November having previously gone quite close on handicap debut at Southwell (also AW); underwhelmed on final start of last term but subsequently gelded and he's in the right hands to progress this season.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(8)

19th Jun 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

20:35 Goodwood

Akirra

9st 9lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Clive Cox

Front-runner; runner-up on quick ground at Windsor (latterly promoted to first) last August and he bolted up when a short-priced favourite in a maiden at Wolverhampton in November; below his best on his final start last year and left the impression his first start for 178 days was needed when behind Havana Smile at Sandown (first start since being gelded) 22 days ago.

9/2

5th

7

(4)

28th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 10y

Class 4

17:10 Sandown

Akirra

9st 4lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Clive Cox

All starts at 5f; fast turf no problem when runner-up at Windsor (latterly promoted to first) in August and he bolted up in Wolverhampton maiden in November having previously gone quite close on handicap debut at Southwell (also AW); underwhelmed on final start of last term but subsequently gelded and he's in the right hands to progress this season.

100/30

OUR TIP

7/1

Form: 23109- CD

Last run: 229 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Improved in three consecutive C&D appearances last summer, finishing third of seven in Listed event before a commanding maiden win (also good; made all) in July; was cast in her box the night before an August assignment after which her trainer recently reported she was never really right; that stable tour also offered hope she's back in a good place and can go well on this handicap debut/reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(8)

16th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

16:45 Pontefract

Killavia

9st 1lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Rod Millman

Exploited a reduced mark to win Class 4 handicap at Ascot (5f, good to firm) last month; this 3yo may have more to offer now that things have clicked again but she looks up against it in today's line-up.

25/1

1st

3

(6)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:12 Ascot

Killavia

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Rod Millman

Made all in a fillies' maiden at Sandown (5f, good) 12 months ago; not at her best in her two runs this year but she's slipped down the weights and Oisin Murphy is booked; stable won this with a 3yo in 2023; revival could be imminent.

6/1

4th

2

(1)

12th Jun 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:49 Goodwood

Killavia

9st 9lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Rod Millman

Showed promise as a juvenile when third in a Listed contest at Sandown (5f, good) last July before winning her maiden; should be better for her reappearance run when sixth of eight back at Sandown (5f, good) and would go close at her best.

3/1

Form: 21-830 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Catterick maiden (good) winner in August who was every bit as good when third at Wolverhampton (also 5f, AW; Kolkata Knight second) in March; didn't look to be making much of an impression when the door slammed in his face at Thirsk last time but it's too soon to write him off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:40 Salisbury

The Lost Sock

9st 9lb

J: Finley Marsh

T: Roger Varian

Won a 5f maiden at Catterick last August but he's 0-6 in handicaps this year and has generally underperformed; second in first-time headgear off this reduced mark at Kempton (6f, AW) on latest outing but markedly better is needed, even in this small field.

5/1

2nd

4

(8)

2nd Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

20:17 Kempton (AW)

The Lost Sock

9st 9lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Won a 5f maiden at Catterick last summer but he's been expensive to follow in handicaps this year; now 9lb lower than for his opening mark but he's been well held in last three runs and needs blinkers to make a difference.

10/1

6th

7

(8)

10th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:10 Kempton (AW)

The Lost Sock

9st 2lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Roger Varian

Won a 5f maiden at Catterick last summer; expensive to follow in handicaps this year and the step back up to 6f isn't enough to tempt.

12/1

Form: 541-20 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Landed Hamilton maiden (6f, good to firm) on debut but better form after wind surgery when bagging Haydock handicap (5f, good to soft) in September; subsequently gelded and ran well for second (5f, AW; winner on the middle leg of a hat-trick) on his reappearance, while latest start from a wide stall at Chester can be written off; needs considering.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

10

(9)

26th Aug 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

20:21 Kempton (AW)

Kolkata Knight

9st 2lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Tom Dascombe

2yo campaign bookended with wins and went close on reappearance this time around (sole AW start); quiet since and the fitting of a tongue-tie and returning to 6f haven't helped of late.

20/1

5th

4

(6)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 3y

Class 4

16:00 Epsom

Kolkata Knight

9st 10lb

J: William Cox

T: Tom Dascombe

Went close on seasonal debut at Wolverhampton (5f, AW) in March but largely disappointing over that trip since; too well handicapped to rule out on this return to 6f but others have more pressing claims.

20/1

15th

13

(18)

30th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

16:10 Goodwood

Kolkata Knight

8st 11lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Tom Dascombe

Won at both sprint trips as a 2yo but he hasn't been at the forefront of calculations in three turf handicaps this year and has ground to make up on Quantum Power on their recent Newmarket run; looks to have his share of weight and fitting a tongue-tie needs to make a difference.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £83.20
Straight Forecast £62.96
Tricast £906.32
Trifecta £1314.30

Selections

POSTDATA:

The Lost Sock

SPOTLIGHT:

Killavia

Telegraph:

Gouken

TOPSPEED:

Major Neigh Sayer

LAMBOURN:

Kolkata Knight

The Star:

Akirra

Daily Mirror:

Our Cody

Daily Record:

Gouken

The Guardian:

The Lost Sock

D Express:

The Lost Sock

The Sun:

The Lost Sock

NEWMARKET:

Major Neigh Sayer

RP RATINGS:

Killavia

WEST COUNTRY:

Killavia

Daily Mail:

Killavia

The Times:

Kolkata Knight