Race analysis and trainer quotes as top speedsters meet in Coral Charge

1.50 Sandown
Coral Charge (Group 3) | 5f | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

If you look at a list of the stiffest 5f courses in Britain then Sandown is comfortably in the top ten. Only five tracks have a slower standard time for the minimum and it’s a specialist test.

Five of the last ten winners of the Charge had already won over the straight 5f at Sandown and one race in particular has proved the key. Six of the last ten winners competed in the Scurry Stakes over course and distance en route and four won that race before landing this.

There would be an asterisk by Triple Aspect’s name in that sequence as he was second in the Charge after winning the Scurry in 2009, but went one better in this race the following year.

Waady (2015), Battaash (2017) and Kurious last year completed the double in the same season and, if you include Triple Aspect, those four Charge winners went on to win a total of 12 races on Sandown’s straight 5f track between them. They relished the stiff uphill finish.

This is a specialist race that suits a certain type of horse and only two of the 12 declarations are course-and-distance winners. Liberty Beach won the Listed Dragon Stakes last July, but it’s Lazuli who stands out like a sore thumb as this year’s winner of the key trial, the Scurry.

Lazuli won that event by a wider margin than Waady, Battaash or Kurious had managed the year they were successful.

The field were strung out behind Lazuli that day, in a manner rarely seen over 5f, and the form has a solid look. The runner-up, Keep Busy, who was beaten three and a half lengths, went on to finish second of 21 in a hot 5f handicap at Royal Ascot.

Liberty Beach: King's Stand third holds a good chanceCredit: Edward Whitaker

Liberty Beach seems equally effective over a stiff 5f and demonstrated her liking for the test when third in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot last time.

That form gives her solid claims in receipt of the 3lb fillies’ allowance from Lazuli, but she is more exposed having had three more runs than that rival and Lazuli might just have more improvement in the locker.

Graeme Rodway, RP Tipping

Frankie factor

Frankie Dettori is back on A'Ali for the first time this year and was only beaten once in four starts on the son of Society Rock in 2019 when their successes together included the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin.

The three-year-old was undone on his first start on the all-weather over 6f at Newcastle last month where he had to shoulder a penalty.

Connections are hopeful he will be more potent back at 5f on turf and Simon Crisford, co-trainer of A'Ali, said: "We're looking forward to seeing him back at this trip and he's come out of his comeback run in great order. He's proved he can handle ground with some ease in it so if they get further rain it won't bother him."

What they say

Mick Appleby, trainer of Caspian Prince
Obviously it's a tougher race than last time but he's come out of Newcastle in good shape we've got Silvestre de Sousa on board. He was third in this a year ago and is well drawn.

Paul Midgley, trainer of Tarboosh
He ran a brilliant comeback to be second at Doncaster, which was a massive run as he usually comes on for his initial run. He's stepped forward from that at home and if it rains there we could be in business.

Eric Alston, trainer of Maid In India
She ran a good third over six on her return at Haydock and won't be fazed by dropping back in trip. It's a tough race but a stiff five and some ease in the ground is probably her game.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Lazuli
He put up a good performance when winning on his last start there against his own generation. He takes on older horses tomorrow but he has course experience and goes there in great order. I think he'll be a major player.

John Quinn, trainer of Liberty Beach
She ran a career-best when third in the King's Stand and is a previous course-and-distance winner so has plenty going for her. It's a spicy race but she's versatile as regards ground.

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Race analysis and trainer quotes as top speedsters meet in Coral Charge

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