Basem best on Sandown return

Basem made it three wins from just five starts when coming with a late dash to take Sandown's Winner Sports Handicap.

In a race few got into, the 9-2 favourite was perfectly produced by James Doyle to get up and claim the mile contest in the final strides.

Jacob Black and Frankie Dettori made a bold bid from the front in attempting to follow up their course and distance victory achieved using the same tactics deployed 16 days ago.

It looked as though the move had paid off again with the Keith Dalgleish-trained runner still out in front deep inside the final furlong.

However, entering the final climb to the line, Saeed bin Suroor's winner - who is a full-brother to dual Group One winner Farhh - began to gather full speed and chinned the long-time leader by a neck.

Bin Suroor said: "It is nice for Basem to win first time, but he will improve for this race. Physically he looks better than last year and I think with age he is improving.

"I was worried about the ground as his best runs have been on good to soft ground. There is a mile handicap here on July 4 and that will be the next target for him."

Awesome Power marked his seasonal return in the best possible fashion by motoring to victory in the winner.co.uk Handicap.

Despite having an absence of 199 days to overcome, the William Haggas-trained three-year-old showed no signs of rustiness in the nine-furlong handicap.

Kept close to the inside rail, the 15-2 shot received the break he needed at the furlong pole when the prominently-ridden Mustaaqeem drifted out to the left to open up enough of a gap for the Lingfield maiden winner to chase early leader Western Reserve.

As the pair fought it out, it was to be the returning son of Dubawi, who is owned by the Queen, who was to get the better of the battle, reeling in Lady Cecil's runner to score by a length and a quarter.

Assistant trainer Archie Watson said: "We are very pleased with that win. He has been off a long time and we thought he might be a bit buzzy today, but he handled it with aplomb.

"He travelled well and Harry Bentley had him in a nice position on the rail.

"We will just see what amended mark he gets now, but he will definitely stay a mile and a quarter as he was finishing strongly."

Royal Brave made the most of a dream passage up the inside rail to get his head in front in the Download The Winner App Handicap.

After showing his turn was just around the corner when finishing second seven days ago at Lingfield, William Muir's charge went one place better as the 5-2 favourite.

Alpha Delta Whisky and Ask The Guru cut out much of the running before the market leader burst through a gap late in the final furlong. Although Ask The Guru rallied gamely it was not enough, with Royal Brave doing just enough to hold on by a neck.

Muir said: "You have got to get cover with this horse. He had to go for the gap, but he probably got there a bit too soon as he was dossing in front. I was really impressed with him and he was in great shape today."


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