Norfolk flop Eye Of Heaven bids to rebuild reputation in intriguing Listed clash

5.25 Sandown
National Stakes (Listed) | 5f | 2yo | RTV

A race normally viewed as a stepping stone to the Queen Mary or Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot is this year the start of a recovery mission for a Norfolk Stakes flop.

The Mark Johnston-trained Eye Of Heaven made a really strong impression when scoring on his debut at Newmarket last month and after the second and third finished first and fourth in the Windsor Castle Stakes he was made a 7-4 favourite for Ascot glory at Group 2 level himself.

However, while Tactical, third at Newmarket, won there and has since followed up in Group 2 company at Newmarket, Eye Of Heaven sank without a trace in the Norfolk, finishing ninth of the 12 runners.

His trainer could only offer the explanation that Eye Of Heaven may prefer faster ground, but a reproduction of that level would make him a candidate for last rather than first and he's forecast to go off at a shade of odds-on.

Oisin Murphy triumphs on Ubettabelieveit (red cap) for Nigel TinklerCredit: Alan Crowhurst

His opening Racing Post Rating of 90 makes him the best in the field, but not by much as Nigel Tinkler's Ubettabelieveit ran to 88 on his second start when winning in good style at Doncaster 16 days ago.

To say Tinkler was not renowned for decent juveniles would be an understatement and that figure is 5lb better than any of the trainer's juveniles have run to since at least 2006, but the son of Kodiac really did look the part at Doncaster.

Furlong Factor is the other main contender according to the market and she ran well when a length second to Queen Mary Stakes fourth Sardinia Sunset at York last Thursday.

Do not rule out a better showing at a big price from Richard Spencer's Wings Of A Dove, though.

She was fifth in a maiden that provided the second, fourth and fifth in the Queen Mary, and while she was well down the field in that event herself, her trainer is in incredibly good form right now and also thinks she will be happier on this quicker ground.
Race analysis by Paul Kealy

What they say

Nigel Tinkler, trainer of Ubettabelieveit
He won impressively last time, he's a very nice horse and has come on for the run. He's going there with a great chance, obviously if Mark Johnston's runner runs like he did at Newmarket he might beat us. There's four other runners and they aren't bad either. I think the stiff finish at Sandown will be ideal for him.

Richard Spencer: trainer of Wings Of A DoveCredit: Edward Whitaker

Rod Millman, trainer of Furlong Factor
We got her not long before her first run and she just seems to be thriving as the season goes on. She was too free the first two times we ran her. She won her race at Chepstow well enough. She's been a good filly for us so far and hopefully there's still more to come. She came out of her race at York well and you don't get many Listed races with six runners in. It looks like a good opportunity to try to get some more black type and it would be nice to win one.

Richard Spencer, trainer of Wings Of A Dove
Her form is probably better than what it reads at face value. She's drawn six which isn't the greatest of draws. The ground was too slow for her at Ascot after running really well on quick ground at Newmarket in a very good maiden. I think she should run a nice race.
Reporting by Matt Butler

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