Sandown Park kicks off its Flat season on Friday with a high-quality card, and our horse racing correspondent has scoured the form and odds to bring you four strong selections. The action gets underway at 13:20, with competitive races throughout the afternoon.
Old Is Gold can shine in the opener
The opening contest at Sandown sees most of the field returning for their first start of the season. Notably, James Doyle has chosen OLD IS GOLD over Underwriter for the Wathnan Racing-owned runners, a significant hint. Trained by Andrew Balding, who has started the season well, this colt has won one of his five starts—a conditions race over 5f at Beverley last May. That stiff 5f track experience is valuable, and he has also shown ability over 6f, going close in a nursery at Glorious Goodwood. His only poor run came when unable to race prominently at York. Expected to bounce out and travel well, this return to 5f should suit, and his trainer excels at preparing runners for first-time out. A small stakes play is recommended.
Sandown tip 1: Old Is Gold – 1pt win @ 9/2 (BOYLE Sports)
Organise aiming for hat-trick in Esher Cup
Five of the eight runners in this 1m contest are last-time winners, making it competitive. The strongest case may be for ORGANISE, another Wathnan Racing-owned horse, trained by John and Thady Gosden. This three-year-old son of Night Of Thunder impressed on debut at Southwell in November, winning by seven lengths over 7f on the all-weather. Under a penalty, he made a successful turf debut at Yarmouth over 1m on good ground. While that win was not as dominant as his first, he can improve further. He hit a flat spot before coming home strongly, and the runner-up that day was well-supported, suggesting the form is solid. From an initial mark of 97, he looks well-treated.
Sandown tip 2: Organise – 2pt win @ 11/8 (BetVictor)
Field of Gold can resume winning ways in bet365 Mile
This Group 2 contest features FIELD OF GOLD, the highest-class horse in the field. He finished second in last season's 2000 Guineas, won the Irish equivalent, and landed the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Officially rated 5lb clear of this field, and with the race conditions giving him an 8lb advantage over some rivals, he is well-placed. He has a good record when fresh and represents a top yard with no fitness concerns. Though his last two starts last year were below his best, he should not need to be at his peak to win this.
Sandown tip 3: Field Of Gold – 3pt win @ 5/4 (Ladbrokes)
Action looks confident favourite for Classic trial
This Group 3 contest over 1m2f sees ACTION, a Frankel colt trained by Aidan O'Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore. He has won one of his four starts but has never been beaten more than a length and a half. He improved with each run last season, winning a Galway maiden, then finishing second in the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket, and a close second in the Group 1 Futurity at Doncaster on heavy ground. He holds entries in the Dante, Guineas, and both Derbies, and is as short as 10/1 for the Irish Derby. Closely related to Derby winner Lambourn, this step up in trip should suit him on reappearance.
Sandown tip 4: Action – 3pt win @ 6/4 (bet365)
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