Hunt Cup fifth Sinjaari bids to continue series of big weight-carrying displays

Saturday: 2.25 Sandown
Coral Challenge (Handicap) | 1m | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

It is thought horses generally need to be at least half a stone 'well in' to land a typical Royal Ascot handicap and those races tend to unearth stacks of subsequent winners. Coral Challenge favourite Sinjaari might be the latest example.

Track biases regularly present themselves in the big-field handicaps at the royal meeting and stands' side was simply not the place to be in this season's 29-runner Royal Hunt Cup. Berthed in the widest box of all, fifth home Sinjaari won his side by a length and a half.

The good news for his supporters is the handicapper has dropped him 1lb for that encouraging effort to a mark of 105. That remains a significant rating to defy in a race of this nature, but weight-carrying victories in Flat handicaps are seemingly more achievable than ever.

Rohaan defied a mark of 109 to land back-to-back Wokinghams at Royal Ascot and Trueshan took that further with a stunning success off 120 in the Northumberland Plate last weekend.

Although this six-year-old is edging towards the 'exposed' category after 18 starts, his three standout performances on Racing Post Ratings have arrived in the five outings since he joined Harry and Roger Charlton from William Haggas.

Sinjaari must concede 9lb in weight for age to the highest-rated runner in this field, and also arguably the most fascinating, in the shape of the three-year-old Checkandchallenge.

William Knight's contender, the mount of William Buick, was last seen running a ten-length 14th in the 2,000 Guineas and it is too early to dismiss this colt after just three runs.

As always with unexposed runners in competitive handicaps, punters must consider whether the positive regarding Checkandchallenge’s capacity to improve outweighs the negative surrounding his lack of experience. Whatever happens, defying a mark of 108 may not be quite the notable achievement it once was.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Tuer taking aim with Sandown first

Grant Tuer makes the long journey from North Yorkshire to Sandown on Saturday hoping to saddle a winner from his first Flat runner at the Esher track.

Recent York scorer Lion Tower, who is at the top of his game, gives the trainer a realistic chance of a notable success and Tuer is looking forward to the trip.

“I had a runner over jumps at Sandown about 20 years ago when I was trying to be a trainer in a previous life!” he said. “Lion Tower will be my first Flat runner there, and I’m hopeful that I’ve found the right race for him. Maybe I’ll be interviewed on television afterwards!”

Lion Tower (left): has been in sparkling form for Yorkshire trainer Grant TuerCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Lion Tower won four handicaps for Tuer last season, and arguably produced a career-best performance last time out when landing a strongly contested York event by half a length from Young Fire.

“I think that race probably set up for him ideally, but he was definitely unlucky the time before at York,” Tuer said.

“He stays a mile pretty well. There is a bit of a debate ongoing between me and the other owners about his best trip. He’s also effective at seven furlongs.

“We plan to ride him mid-division at Sandown, take a lead, and see how he fares. His mark looks okay – he’s only gone up 3lb for the York win.”

While an official rating of 93 represents a career-high 93, Tuer clearly believes Lion Tower is capable of a bold show and points to a number of other factors in the gelding’s favour.

“Stall four looks good, and the ground should be perfect for him,” he added. “I had him in at Haydock too, but I swerved that because of the soft going. It’s a very competitive race at Sandown – as you’d expect for a £100,000 prize – but I'm expecting a good performance.”

What they say

Roger Charlton, joint-trainer of Sinjaar
He ran a good race from perhaps not the greatest of draws in the Royal Hunt Cup. I’m hoping Sandown will suit him well. He deserves to win a race like this.

William Knight, trainer of Checkandchallenge
I’ve been very happy with him. I just hope there is enough juice in the ground. We had the option of a Listed race next week, but I’ve gone where I feel the nicest ground is. He should run a big race.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Tahitian Prince
We’re swapping the cheekpieces for blinkers which will hopefully do the trick because he’s a smart horse, although still plenty high enough in the weights. He worked well the other day and could run a decent race.

Heather Main, trainer of Mostawaa
He’s racing off a very low weight, and we think it’s a nice race for him. He likes Sandown, and has a good jockey on board who can claim 3lb.
Reporting by Richard Birch

Read our Saturday previews . . .

3.35 Sandown: Vadeni and Native Trail star in six-runner Coral-Eclipse

Big-race analysis: why top French raider Vadeni could become an Eclipse trend-setter (Members' Club)

1.50 Sandown: 'He's definitely on the upgrade' – can Mitbaahy strike again?

2.40 Haydock: can progressive Free Wind take another step up the ladder for the Gosdens?

3.00 Sandown: unbeaten filly Heredia continues march to Group 1 level with Listed challenge

3.15 Haydock: Gaassee out to prove he's a Group horse in waiting in the Old Newton Cup

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