Punting pointers as Jamie Spencer eyes Sandringham with Hotsy Totsy

5.00 Ascot
Sandringham Stakes | 1m | 3yo | fillies | ITV/Sky

Jamie Spencer is renowned as the "straight course king" at Royal Ascot, and his record in the Sandringham shows just why.

Winner of the race in the last two years aboard Agrotera (2018) and Con Te Partiro (2017), Spencer also triumphed on Moneycantbuymelove (2009) and Red Evie (2006).

The rider boasts 18 wins from 179 rides over Royal Ascot’s straight course for a 10 per cent strike-rate. Backers who invested £1 on each of those rides would have made a substantial £72.88 profit.

Spencer’s record on the Round Course is much less impressive – seven wins from 140 rides for a five per cent strike-rate and a £1 level-stakes loss of £98.36.

The rider, whose predilection for holding horses up at the rear of the field splits opinion among punters, again teams up with Agrotera’s handler Ed Walker to partner Hotsy Totsy, a filly who appears to have been carefully laid out for this race.

Hotsy Totsy makes her handicap debut off a mark of 90 on just her fourth career start after landing minor events at Salisbury and Kempton by an aggregate of 11 lengths.

She looks another excellent ride for Spencer, who almost added to his tally on the straight course when Clon Coulis failed by a nose to catch Afaak in the Royal Hunt Cup.

Walker, who also runs Gallic, said: “Hotsy Totsy is a really nice filly and it would be great if myself and Jamie could repeat last year's win in the race.

“She has done nothing wrong and she is pretty versatile with regard to the ground. I think she will relish the step up to a mile.

“Gallic is in great shape too and I still think she is a well-handicapped filly. She will love a fast-run mile.”

Varian keen on chance of Invitational

Roger Varian has yet to taste success in the Sandringham, but appears to have a strong chance of a breakthrough win with Invitational.

The daughter of Poet’s Voice graduates to handicaps on a mark of 92 after striking all-weather wins over 7f at Kempton and Wolverhampton.

Astrologer, who she beat convincingly at the Dunstall Park track, has since won two races in good style, including a Haydock handicap.

Varian said: “Invitational has got claims. She's a nice filly and it's a big field and competitive race, but I think she'll run well.”

Crowley sweat points to Layaleena’s claims

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Layaleena has been popular in the market this week, and it’s not difficult to see why.

She took her form to another level when slamming Nearooz by three lengths at Nottingham last month, and the fact that Jim Crowley is getting down to 8st 7lb to partner her surely rates a huge pointer towards her chance.

After all, the lowest Crowley has ridden at over the last 12 months is 8st 8lb. He’ll be hoping all that time in the sauna will pay off.

What they say

Aidan O’Brien, trainer of Coral Beach
She is dropping back into a handicap having contested a few Group 1s and we think a big-field like this will really suit her. She's in good form.

John Gosden, trainer of Nonchalance, Kimblewick, Spanish Aria and Whimbrel
The presence of Magnetic Charm in the race means that Spanish Aria and Whimbrel are out of the handicap, but we’re not bothered about marks for these fillies – it’s black type that is more important. All four are owned by different people so it makes sense to run them and I expect Whimbrel to handle the ground better than some of the others.

Simon Crisford, trainer of El Gumryah and Maamora
I’ve put a line through El Gumryah’s disappointing performance at York. If she reproduces her Kempton run she should be in the mix. Maamora has done well since her win at Ripon and gets in off a light weight.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Aim Power and Star Of War
Aim Power kept good company as a two-year-old and has always maintained a decent level of form but sadly often finds a couple too good. I don’t think she disgraced herself on her first run back and she’ll definitely strip fitter for it. This is a tough race, but a mile is her trip and I think she has a cracking each-way shout. Star Of War will be a big price, but we’ve seen some strange results already this week so I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see her run a decent race at large odds.

Andrew Balding, trainer of I’m Available
She’s gone up a bit in the weights after running well to finish second to Aweedram on soft ground over course and distance. The slower ground should suit her again.

Spotlight verdict

As open as ever. Lady Madison may be the one, having shown considerable potential in her three races, last time winning well at Windsor from a subsequent winner. She looked good there and, with her pedigree raising strong hopes that slower ground will be fine, may be the answer. Hotsy Totsy has plenty going for her too and heads a longish list of alternatives ahead of Maamora, who is on a tempting mark if this ground doesn't scupper her. Others to note include Layaleena and Kimblewick.

Paddy Power are paying a stand out 6 places on the Sandringham Stakes, rather than 4. Minimum runner requirements apply. Click here to view the card