Sandown

Looking at the history of the G1 Coral-Eclipse, it is clear that fillies and mares have had a hard time against the colts in Sandown's jewel. While the illustrious Pebbles (GB) managed to prevail in 1985 and Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) did so three years ago with the lesser-heralded Kooyonga (Ire) victorious in between in 1992, the list of beaten elite stars among the sex is extensive. It includes Time Charter (Ire), Triptych, Indian Skimmer, In The Groove (GB), Bosra Sham, Ouija Board (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), The Fugue (GB)...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features 'TDN Rising Star' Born To Rock (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}). 14.30 Sandown, Listed, £40,000, 2yo, 5f 10yT BORN TO ROCK (IRE) (Soldier's Call {GB}) was denied the chance to sport her TDN Rising Star badge in the G2 Queen Mary S., but is back in action...

Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) are among the star names to have stood their ground for Saturday's G1 Coral-Eclipse S. as they feature among the six horses left in the Sandown showpiece. The John and Thady Gosden-trained Emily Upjohn made a tremendous start to her campaign in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last month and will revert in trip for the Coral-Eclipse with William Buick set to take over from the suspended Frankie Dettori. Aidan O'Brien said last week that a step up...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features a brother to Group 1 winner Sealiway. 14.40 Sandown, Mdn, £10,000, 2yo, 7fT SUNWAY (FR) (Galiway {GB}) is a fascinating newcomer in a potentially informative juvenile exchange, being a full-brother to the G1 Champion S. and G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere hero Sealiway (Fr) who made €300,000...

Thursday's G3 Brigadier Gerard S. was one for the comeback kids, but not the one most expected as Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}--Aghareed, by Kingmambo) overhauled Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) fair and square up the Sandown hill. As last year's Derby hero loomed large on the front end under Richard Kingscote two out, Jim Crowley was in a pocket on the Shadwell homebred who had over a length to make up as he gave pursuit a furlong later. While the 2-5 favourite Desert Crown put a healthy margin...

If there were one race you could have bet that TDN Rising Star and unbeaten Derby hero of 2022 Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) would make his comeback in it would have been the G3 Brigadier Gerard S. which carries Sir Michael Stoute's stamp more than any other in the British Pattern. One of his record-setting dozen successes in the key Sandown staging post was the yard's penultimate Blue Riband hero Workforce (GB) (King's Best), so with all the stars aligning the stage is set for the return of Saeed...

NEWMARKET, UK--Oh, to be in England now that April's there. So wrote Robert Browning in 1845, though it is unconfirmed that this had anything to do with Classic trials. An unusually wet and cold April did little to lift the spirits this year, so we shall fast-forward to another line of his lovely poem. And after April, when May follows. May is becoming more marvellous by the day. There's York, of course, and who doesn't love York? It is a racecourse which comes close to perfection, from its location in...

18.45, Sandown, Listed, £50,000, 3yo, 8fT SLIPOFTHEPEN (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) takes in the Listed Heron S. which the John and Thady Gosden stable have employed for their G1 St James's Palace S. contenders in recent times. Successful in the former Easter S. at Kempton last month, The King and Queen's relative of the Oaks runner-up Flight Of Fancy (GB) (Sadler's Wells) looks likely to extend his unbeaten record and book his Royal Ascot ticket with just three relatively exposed rivals in opposition.

Last year's G1 Derby winner Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) will make his first start since winning the Blue Riband in Sandown's G3 Brigadier Gerard S. in late May, according to Saeed Suhail's racing manager Bruce Raymond. Successful in a Nottingham maiden at two, the 4-year-old won the G2 Dante S. at York in his first outing at three before rolling to a 2 1/2-length victory at Epsom. An ankle injury derailed any more starts in 2022, and the Brigadier Gerard will be his first start back. Trainer Sir Michael...

Claymore (Fr) (New Bay {GB}), winner of last year's G3 Hampton Court S. at Royal Ascot and not sighted since finishing fourth behind Sir Busker (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) in the G2 York S. last July, is scheduled to make his seasonal debut in the G3 Brigadier Gerard S. at Sandown May 25, with the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe a potential long-term objective. The Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained colt could encounter last year's returning G1 Derby winner Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in what is shaping up into a mouthwatering...

Six meetings have been confirmed for the 2023 Sky Bet Sunday Series (SBSS), Sky Bet announced on Wednesday. Worth £1.2 million, the series is an industry-wide collaboration between ITV, Racecourse Media Group, and Sky Betting and Gaming, which will showcase the sport in a Sunday twilight slot on terrestrial television during the summer. The schedule for the 2023 Sky Bet Sunday Series is as follows: Musselburgh, Apr. 30 Hamilton, May 14 Beverley, June 11 Pontefract, June 25 Haydock, Aug. 6 Sandown, Aug. 20 Steve Birch, Sky Betting & Gaming CCO...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Observations features a son of Dubawi (Ire) and the G2 Rockfel S. heroine Lucida (Ire) (Shamardal). 14.45 Great Yarmouth, Mdn, £14,000, 2yo, 7f 3yT John and Thady Gosden trainee OBELIX (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who will sport KHK Racing's G1 St Leger-winning colours, bumped into a good...