Racecards
13:50 Sandown Park
Martin Densham Memorial EBF Maiden Stakes (Plus 10) (Class 4)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 7f
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- £8,000 added
- Winner: £5,175
- 2nd: £1,540
- 3rd: £770
- 4th: £385
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer J & T Gosden
- Jockey R Havlin
always prominent, ridden over 1f out, led entering final furlong, edged slightly right, ran on well, clear towards finish
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey W Buick
led, ridden over 2f out, driven over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, no impression on winner towards finish
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey Oisin Murphy
towards rear, some headway and ran green on outside over 2f out, soon edged right and no impression
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer J & T Gosden
- Jockey L Dettori
held up in touch, switched left over 2f out, effort over 1f out, one pace entering final furlong
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer Tom Dascombe
- Jockey R Kingscote
not much room start and slowly away, ran green and always behind
- Form 5
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer R Hannon
- Jockey Jim Crowley
tracked leaders on outside, green and not quicken 1f out, one pace
- Form 5
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer E A L Dunlop
- Jockey James Doyle
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, no impression on winner, joined 2nd on post
Verdict
Ritchie Valens made late gains in the race won by Almur at Newbury three weeks ago. Easy to back that day, he will have learned from the experience and looks the best of the quartet that have had a run. But there are some interesting newcomers lining up here including two from the John Gosden stable. Frankie rides KOSCIUSZKO, a son of Australia who is the first foal to race of a middle-distance winner who was just beaten in a Group 3 in France. This looks the ideal trip at which to start and he’s preferred to stablemate Beatboxer. Fraser Island is also by Australia but is out of a sprinter. Havana Rocket is worth a market check being a half-brother to two winners.
Formwatch
Beatboxer (USA) Scat Daddy colt out of Thmoruplathlesupay.
Fraser Island (IRE) Australia colt out of Ponty Acclaim.
Havana Rocket (IRE) Havana Gold colt out of Mawaakeb.
Kosciuszko (USA) Australia colt out of Nobilis.
Merlin's Magic (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Close up, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 22 1/2l behind Forseti (9-5) at Salisbury 7f mdn stks (4) gf in Jun.
Pesto 5-1 (9-5) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 11 1/2l behind Advertise (9-5) at Newbury 6f mdn stks (4) gf in May.
Rajinsky (IRE) Zoffany colt out of Pink Moon.
Ritchie Valens (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 5th of 11, 4 1/4l behind Almurr (9-0) at Newbury 6f stks (4) gf in Jul.
Venedegar (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, ran green in last pair, headway over 2f out, shaken up inside final 2f, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 7 1/4l behind King Of Comedy (9-2) at Sandown 7f stks (4) gf in Jul.
Noble Ancestry Dubawi gelding out of Joys Of Spring.