Racecards
14:10 Sandown Park
Firex E.b.f. Maiden Stakes (Class 4)
- 11 Runners
- Distance: 5f 6y
- Going: Good, Good to Soft in places on the round course
- Surface: Turf
- £7,000 added
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer B J Meehan
- Jockey J P Spencer
started slowly, towards rear, some progress on outer from 2f out, never nearer
- Form 3
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, closed on winner near finish
Macdillon
29- Form 4
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer W S Kittow
- Jockey F Sweeney
held up far rail, ridden well over 1f out, headway and led inside final furlong, driven out and held on well
- Form 9
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer B R Millman
- Jockey A Munro
in touch, ridden 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace
- Form 8
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer J A Osborne
- Jockey T P Queally
started slowly and took keen hold, always behind, never a factor
- Form 7
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey G Baker
led until headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd and weakened well inside final furlong
- Form 2
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer R Hannon
- Jockey Richard Hughes
tracked leader, ridden and not quicken over 1f out, soon one pace, beaten towards finish
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer S A Callaghan
- Jockey Jim Crowley
started slowly, held up in rear, ridden halfway, never on terms
Russian Art
29- Form 8
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer R M Beckett
- Jockey James Doyle
mid-division, ridden and weakened quickly 2f out, never dangerous
- Age 2
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey A Kirby
always behind and lost touch well over 1f out
- Form 34
- Age 2
- Weight 8-12
close up, ridden 2f out, no progress and weakened over 1f out
Verdict
Favourites have a superb record in this race with the last three having gone in and six of the last 10 successful and Kingship Spirit looks likely to extend that run, while Verlegen looks the biggest danger. The selection was a little awkward with his head carriage when third on debut in a Newmarket maiden, but nonetheless that looks the best form available here and he can build on it from a good draw with a win. Verlegen has had a couple of runs so far and hung right last time when leading but being collared over this trip at Leicester. If they have sorted out her steering issues then she looks capable of going very close. Red Rossini will need to improve for a Kempton debut that saw him finish a five length second to Klynch and that is entirely possible, though like his stablemate the draw is not that favourable. Brian Meehan's two-year-olds are going well so a good debut from Goldvil, who is bred for speed over this trip, looks likely and he can prove best of those having their first start, but Kingship Spirit is taken to score.
Formwatch
Goldvil (IRE) Clodovil colt, half-brother to winning sprinters Desert Trigger and Mr Rooney.
Kingship Spirit (IRE) 6-5fav (9-3) Led, quickened halfway, headed just inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 4, 1l behind Alkhafif (9-3) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (4) frm in May.
Macdillon 16-1 (9-3) In touch, edged left under pressure from over 2f out, kept on, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Sun Ship (9-3) at Salisbury 5f 2yo mdn (3) gd in May.
Mattamia (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, outpaced, last of 9, 10l behind Sun Ship (9-3) at Salisbury 5f 2yo mdn (3) gd in May.
Mean Mr Mustard (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Started very slowly and lost several lengths, always in rear until kept on final furlong, never a factor, 8th of 11, 12l behind Mythical Border (8-9) at Lingfield 5f 2yo mdn (5) gd in May.
Pocket's Pick (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Started very slowly, always outpaced in rear, well behind final 2f, tailed off, last of 7, 27l behind Icesolator (9-5) at Sandown 5f 2yo lst stk (1) sft in May.
Red Rossini (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Pressed winner to over 1f out, no chance final furlong, kept on well for 2nd, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Klynch (9-3) at Kempton 5f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol.
Rocket Rob (IRE) Danetime colt, half-brother to 7f winner Hi Spec.
Russian Art 8-1 (9-3) In rear, slightly hampered soon after start, never dangerous, 8th of 9, 9l behind Sun Ship (9-3) at Salisbury 5f 2yo mdn (3) gd in May.
Rapanui Belle Compton Place filly, half-sister to winning miler/hurdler Wooly Bully.
Verlegen (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Led, soon hung right, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Please Sing (9-0) at Leicester 5f 2yo mdn fll (4) gf in May.