Stiff Sandown finish set to put a premium on stamina for market leaders

Sunday: 5.45 Sandown
Sky Bet Sunday Series Stayers Handicap | Class 4 | 1m6f | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

If you are familiar with finishing-speed sectionals, or even take your own, you will likely have noticed that Sandown throws up plenty of slow finishes. It feels like more than its share, considering the incline up the straight is less than at the likes of Carlisle, Beverley or Salisbury.

Sandown gets extremely testing in winter, but it holds for the Flat too and there is a view a prevailing headwind up the straight contributes. Whatever the cause, it is well worth noting as it puts a real premium on stamina.

This ought to be of concern to backers of Ravens Ark, who did not look the most doughty of stayers at the trip even in a muddling race over course and distance last month. He has since dropped back to 1m4f to record a win at Brighton. Another form pick, the unexposed Praiano, has yet to try the trip and neither pedigree nor running style point strongly towards his benefiting from 1m6f.

Stamina will not be an issue for Oceanline or Yagood (who, in a parallel world where moral winners are given a '1', is on a hat-trick). It could very much benefit Captain Haddock, who has been running in amateur riders races and doing his best work at the finish. With a good value claimer up over this stiff 1m6f, he is worth a second look.

Also of interest at potentially long odds is Kepala, who was a close-up fourth here in June. That was strong form for the grade, with improvers all around. It also backed up her best run last year, when she was short-headed by the smart Dubious Affair at Newbury. Both of those runs came from a mark higher than the 77 she runs off today.
Keith Melrose, betting editor

What they say

Hughie Morrison, trainer of Ravens Ark
He's nothing but consistent and gives us all a lot of entertainment. He's a bit exposed now and although Oisin Murphy gave him a great ride to win at Brighton last time, he's got enough weight. He's earned that, though, given his performances and this is a nice prize.

Brian Ellison, trainer of Cormier
He's back in good form after not taking to the all-weather at all last time. We could do with some rain because his better form is on softer ground.

Roger Varian, trainer of Praiano
He's improving and he's slowly getting the hang of his job. It looks like he'll appreciate the step up to a mile and six. We wouldn't want the ground to get too soft.

Alan King, trainer of Oceanline
He's going to go juvenile hurdling but with the excellent prize-money on offer we wanted to support it. He gets this trip very well so I'm expecting a big run.

Joseph Parr, trainer of Yagood
He's improved an incredible amount since we've had him and has a great constitution. He stays very well and this is a big step up in grade but he deserves to take his chance. He's fairly versatile with regards to the ground although I wouldn't want too much rain.
Reporting by Sam Hendry

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