Marvellous Masham Star on his travels again in search of first win of the year

3.15 Sandown
Randox Health Handicap | Class 2 | 1m | 3yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Masham Star has spent more time traversing Britain's motorways than some long-haul lorry drivers this year, and the five-year-old is back in action again as he seeks a first success of 2019.

Saturday's race will be an 11th outing so far, and while still winless this season, the five-year-old has been admirably consistent, finishing in the first four on five of his last six starts.

His trips are not limited to domestic jaunts, as the son of Lawman has also raced in Dubai, Qatar, Turkey and Italy during his career, with his last victory coming in a Group 3 at Capannelle in November 2018.

Charlie Johnston, son and assistant to trainer Mark Johnston, said: "He runs every Saturday and ran well at Nottingham last time and arguably should have won. He just got short of room in a muddling race.

"The ground should not worry him, he won on heavy in Italy and a mile on soft ground should be ideal."

On the road again: Masham Star's 2019

March 9: Wolverhampton, sixth of 13
March 30: Doncaster, 15th of 19
April 13: Newbury, 19th of 26
April 27: Haydock, 12th of 14
May 6: Windsor, second of eight
May 9: Chelmsford, last of six
May 18: Newbury, third of 14
May 25: Chester, second of ten
May 31: Epsom, fourth of 14
June 5: Nottingham, third of five

Crowley excited by Sawwaah chance

A Saturday winner would be a nice boost for Owen Burrows after losing stable star Laraaib last weekend.

The five-year-old had finished runner-up to Crystal Ocean at Newbury last month, and was being readied for the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot before suffering a fatal injury when exercising.

Sawwaah carries the yard's hopes in this race, and the four-year-old shaped nicely on his return in April at Newmarket when finishing third to Beringer.

Jim Crowley: excited by ride on SawwaahCredit: Steve Davies

Jockey Jim Crowley, who will be riding the Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned four-year-old, said on his Coral blog: "I'm really looking forward to this ride. He has run on good or good to firm a lot but in my opinion he is going to be better with a bit of cut in the ground and after all the rain we have had we should have the perfect conditions for him.

"He has first time cheekpieces on which should help too and while this is a competitive race he has a great chance. I would be really disappointed if he didn’t win."

What they say

Jim Boyle, trainer of Hateya
She's a consistent filly and was a bit unlucky last time at Epsom. I'm hoping the ground dries out as she wouldn't want it too soft. It's a nice race to be aiming at and if the ground dries out she'd have a fighting chance.

David O'Meara, trainer of Baltic Baron
He ran a nice race at Nottingham on his first start for us. He got chopped up a little bit at one point and then finished the race off nicely.

Richard Fahey, trainer of Zap
We're trying him over a mile and it will be interesting to see how he does at the trip.

David Menuisier, trainer of History Writer
He ran well at the track two starts ago. We then went to Epsom and he didn't handle the track at all. If he returns to form then he should go well. He's a horse I've always liked and is not the easiest to manage but on a good day he's very good.

Mick Appleby, trainer of Loch Ness Monster
He was hampered early on last time at Haydock and never got into the race. The slower ground will suit him and he has a good each-way chance.

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