Racecards
15:20 Sandown Park
bet365.com Esher Cup Handicap (Class 2)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 1m 14y
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £17,700 added
- Winner: £11,029
- 2nd: £3,303
- 3rd: £1,651
- 4th: £827
- Form 119-
- Age 3
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 96
- Trainer J & T Gosden
- Jockey W Buick
in rear, came center over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, not trouble leaders
- Form 21185-
- Age 3
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 95
- Trainer R Hannon
- Jockey Richard Hughes
in rear, came center over 3f out, never near leaders
Tazahum (USA)
197- Form 12-
- Age 3
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey R Hills
held up, came center over 3f out, headway 2f out, led 1f out, ridden, edged left and asserted near finish
- Form 968444
- Age 3
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer J S Moore
- Jockey L P Keniry
led, stayed far side over 3f out, ridden and soon headed, kept on one pace and joined center group over 1f out
- Form 751714-
- Age 3
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer M L W Bell
- Jockey J P Spencer
raced alone on outer, with leader, came center over 3f out, led 3f out, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on one pace
- Form 9P21-11
- Age 3
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 88
tracked leaders, came center over 3f out, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 1-4
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Official Rating 85
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey J Fortune
keen held up, came center over 3f out, never near leaders
- Form 113113
- Age 3
- Weight 8-8
- Official Rating 83
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey Kieren Fallon
tracked leaders, came center over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out
- Form 321-
- Age 3
- Weight 8-7
- Official Rating 82
- Trainer B W Hills
- Jockey Michael Hills
in touch, came center over 3f out, headway 2f out, pressed winner and every chance entering final furlong, not quicken near finish
Verdict
John Gosden is attempting to win this contest for the third year in a row and looks to have every chance of doing so with TREASURY DEVIL. The latter won his first two starts, including one at this track, before a below-par effort in the Group 1 Grand Criterium at Longchamp in October and can take this before going on to better things. Tazahum found only the subsequent dual Listed winner Dubawi Gold too good at Ascot in October and is potentially well handicapped for his reappearance, while Invincible Ridge tries this longer trip for the first time after winning over 6f twice last year. Indian Jack beat John Biscuit when landing an all-weather hat-trick last time but will need to improve again in this company, as will Kingscroft and Captain Bertie.
Formwatch
Treasury Devil (USA) 10-1 (8-13) Held up, never a factor, last of 9, 17l behind Wootton Bassett (8-13) at Longchamp(FR) 7f 2yo Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct.
Invincible Ridge (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, progress over 2f out, never on terms, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Earl Of Leitrim (9-1) at Doncaster 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gd in Oct.
Tazahum (USA) 11-4 (9-0) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden and disputed 2nd 2f out, no impression on winner, went 2nd near finish, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Dubawi Gold (9-0) at Ascot 7f 2yo stks (2) gs in Oct.
Sonoran Sands (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on, one pace, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Dubawi Gold (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 3yo Listed stks (1) pol.
Star Surprise 14-1 (9-2) Tracked winner, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 3l behind Zenella (8-11) at Pontefract 1m 2yo lst stk (1) gd in Oct.
Indian Jack (IRE) 7-4fav (9-7) Broke well, held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on under pressure inside final furlong to lead post, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Tasfeya (9-0) by shd, 8 ran.
John Biscuit (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear on inside, pushed along over 2f out, headway on inside over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, held when eased close home, 4th of 8, 1 3/4l behind Indian Jack (9-7) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Kingscroft (IRE) 7-2 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Belle Royale (9-0) at Beverley 7f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Captain Bertie (IRE) 8-15fav (9-0) Made all, ridden and hard pressed over 1f out, stayed on well and in command final 100 yards, won at Chester 1m 2yo mdn (4) gs in Sep beating Barwick (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.