May 28 / 19.45 Sandown

19.45

Good

Starsports.Bet Whitsun Cup Handicap

  • Prize money: £7731
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
RTV
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Starsports.Bet Whitsun Cup Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.60
  • Place: £2.30

Form: 1456-8

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Consistent across his five starts last year and won off this mark at Nottingham (1m, good) last June; reappeared with close eighth of 24 in the Spring Cup at Newbury (1m, good) and could build on that effort today; chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(9)

12th Jun 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 3

15:23 Sandown

Boyfriend

9st 9lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

Usually gives his running and won with a bit in hand over 1m here two weeks ago (1m, good); goes further this afternoon and off a career-high mark (4lb higher), so likely to need more.

6/1

1st

7

(3)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:45 Sandown

Boyfriend

9st 0lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

Consistent across his five starts last year and won off this mark at Nottingham (1m, good) last June; reappeared with close eighth of 24 in the Spring Cup at Newbury (1m, good) and could build on that effort today; chance.

11/2

8th

24

(15)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Newbury

Boyfriend

8st 8lb

J: Sam Hitchcott

T: Richard Hannon

Reliable last season, going close under a positive Sam Hitchcott ride over C&D (good) in May; met some trouble at Newmarket on final start; not discounted, although he'll need a career best from his current mark.

16/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 8000-0 C

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Group 3 runner-up in June 2024; nothing like the same force subsequently but some encouragement can be taken from his stable/seasonal debut in the Victoria Cup at Ascot, where he was soundly beaten overall but was first of seven in the group that raced initially on the far side; he's not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

12

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Nostrum

8st 13lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Michael Appleby

Broadly disappointing since proving smart in his early days; form for new yard includes a couple of encouraging efforts but he dropped away rather tamely over C&D (race won by Dark Tornado) last time.

20/1

8th

8

(7)

25th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

12:45 Newmarket (July)

Nostrum

9st 3lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Finished third in the 2022 Dewhurst; getting on for three years since his last win but he ran well for second at Sandown (1m, good) on his penultimate start; front-running fifth of 15 at Newbury two week ago; new cheekpieces need to spark something extra.

12/1

11/1

Form: 42-207 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
He needs to produce more than he's managed back on turf on his last two starts but prior to those he was a good second at Kempton (7f, AW) in March, and he won on grass at Salisbury (1m, good to firm) last May; capable of having a say if getting back to his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

(8)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:17 Sandown

Cogitate

9st 2lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Losing run is mounting up but he ran respectably over C&D most recently (final start for Charles Hills) and ties in with unexposed Raammee on that form; possibilities off same mark, provided he takes well to first-time headgear; remains with same owner.

10/1

3rd

6

(7)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:45 Sandown

Cogitate

9st 0lb

J: William Buick

T: Charles Hills

He needs to produce more than he's managed back on turf on his last two starts but prior to those he was a good second at Kempton (7f, AW) in March, and he won on grass at Salisbury (1m, good to firm) last May; capable of having a say if getting back to his best.

11/1

7th

6

(9)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:55 Newmarket

Cogitate

9st 9lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Charles Hills

Consistent of late on the AW, runner-up at Kempton in October and March, but his turf efforts have been more up and down; never better than midfield in Spring Cup at Newbury two weeks ago and only 1lb lower today.

16/1

4/5

Form: 11- D

Last run: 262 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Won on debut at Kempton (1m, AW) last August and easily justified 1-9 odds in a novice at Newcastle (1m, AW) in September; his opening mark is a lofty one but he has the potential to be better than it; respected on return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

11

(14)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:45 York

Raammee

9st 2lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

2-2 in last season's first campaign (1m, AW) and he built upon his comeback run with a close second in a first-time hood (retained) at Sandown (1m, good) last month; his finishing effort last time suggests this step up in trip could prompt further improvement; due a 3lb rise and he's one to consider.

9/2

2nd

4

(1)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:17 Sandown

Raammee

9st 11lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Two from two (on AW) in his first season last year; paid the price for going too freely when beaten favourite in C&D handicap (good) on reappearance but may settle better with the outing under his belt and hood now fitted; still open to further progress and remains of interest.

7/2

4th

2

(5)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:45 Sandown

Raammee

9st 9lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Won on debut at Kempton (1m, AW) last August and easily justified 1-9 odds in a novice at Newcastle (1m, AW) in September; his opening mark is a lofty one but he has the potential to be better than it; respected on return.

4/5

6/1

Form: 6-1113 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
He won earlier this year on his first three starts for James Horton (7f/1m, AW); made it 0-9 on turf when 2l third of 11 at Ascot (1m, good to firm) four weeks ago but that was still a positive run and he could be in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(14)

29th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:45 Kempton (AW)

Saytarr

10st 4lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Horton

Hugely progressive for his new stable at the start of the year, winning handicaps at Southwell (7f/1m) before completing his hat-trick at Newcastle (1m); beaten on turf twice since but he is 0-10 in that sphere as opposed to 5-8 on AW; drawn widest but still of some interest.

6/1

5th

5

(1)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:45 Sandown

Saytarr

9st 1lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Horton

He won earlier this year on his first three starts for James Horton (7f/1m, AW); made it 0-9 on turf when 2l third of 11 at Ascot (1m, good to firm) four weeks ago but that was still a positive run and he could be in the mix.

6/1

3rd

7

(1)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:30 Ascot

Saytarr

9st 5lb

J: Jack Callan

T: James Horton

Five AW wins include this year's hat-trick on the Tapeta; raised a further 4lb for what was a narrow latest success (1m) but he's on a roll and no doubt a better horse now than when last seen on turf.

7/2

OUR TIP

10/1

Form: 5212-0

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Third in this last year and improved form later in the season, finishing his campaign in fine form (on various ground); down the field at Ascot on recent return but he was hampered and may have needed the run; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(8)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Newmarket (July)

Hickory

10st 1lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

In top form at the end of last season but this 8yo hasn't performed at the same level on his three outings this year and needs to raise his game.

33/1

11th

25

(17)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Hickory

9st 2lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Jamie Osborne

Has plenty of good form at Ascot and his most recent course effort (when bidding for a second win in the Victoria Cup) can be excused as the race didn't pan out favourably for him; however, he has a difficult-looking mark to overcome in this first Royal Ascot attempt.

22/1

6th

1

(6)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:45 Sandown

Hickory

9st 10lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Third in this last year and improved form later in the season, finishing his campaign in fine form (on various ground); down the field at Ascot on recent return but he was hampered and may have needed the run; not discounted.

10/1

20/1

Form: 1158-8

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
There was no return to his peak form on his recent stable and seasonal debut at Newmarket (7f, good) but it wasn't a bad performance and he could improve for that run; might not be far away; watch the betting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(9)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:25 Newmarket (July)

Dark Tornado

9st 5lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Wigham

Has gained both handicap wins off a mark of 90, including when beating Aalto over C&D (good to firm) latest start; could go well but needs a career-best performance to defy a penalty; 1lb badly in.

16/1

1st

6

(9)

25th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

12:45 Newmarket (July)

Dark Tornado

9st 4lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Wigham

Promising stable debut in the race won by Superposition last month but he hasn't built on it in either start since; due to be 2lb lower from the weekend; others look stronger.

33/1

8th

5

(1)

19th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:45 Newmarket (July)

Dark Tornado

10st 2lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Wigham

Made it two wins in a row when scoring off this mark on handicap debut on the other Newmarket course (7f, good to firm) last May; however, has to produce more than he's managed on his two runs this term; visor goes on.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £26.70
Straight Forecast £25.82
Trifecta £122.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Raammee

POSTDATA:

Boyfriend

TOPSPEED:

Nostrum

LAMBOURN:

Hickory

RP RATINGS:

Raammee

NEWMARKET:

Raammee

The Times:

Raammee

Telegraph:

Raammee

The Guardian:

Raammee

Daily Mail:

Raammee

D Express:

Raammee

The Sun:

Raammee

The Star:

Raammee

Daily Record:

Raammee

Daily Mirror:

Boyfriend