Sandown host an afternoon card on Thursday which include the 7f Listed Star Stakes (3:15) for two-year-olds, a race which was won by subsequent Group 1 winner Inspiral in 2021.
Last year's winning trainer Charlie Johnston is represented by The African Queen, a winner on debut at Brighton. The daughter of The Last Lion may have only been required to beat three rivals, but she did it in comfortable style despite showing signs of inexperience in the early stages. She is joined by fellow debut winners Expensive Queen and Fallen Angel. The pair were both successful over seven furlongs at Haydock Park on their first attempt, with Karl Burke's Fallen Angel appearing to show the most promise.
Of the more experienced contenders, Michael Appleby's Eminny built on a green debut third at Beverley with a quick double. She had to fight hard in the closing stages at Leicester to secure the victory by a head and that race experience should play to her advantage.
Soprano was expected to run in the Group 2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket on 13 July but was unable to race due to an administrative error. The daughter of Starspangledbanner will be attempting seven furlongs for the first time following a third in the six furlong Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot and although this distance may prove too far going forward, she appears to have the ability to overcome the stamina test at this level.
WIN: SOPRANO
A small field lines up for the 1m6f Group 3 George Lindon-Travers Memorial Handicap (3:50) with question marks about the stamina of multiple runners. Andrew Balding's Another Run has not been the easiest horse to assess in recent runs, finishing a tailed off last of three at Leicester in April. He bounced back with a good second over twelve furlongs at Doncaster despite slipping in the closing stages and shaped as though a step up in trip would be suitable. He disappointed when fourth on his first attempt over fourteen furlongs at Goodwood subsequently, with connections reporting ground conditions (good, good-to-firm in places) were not ideal. Any rain at Sandown Park over the course of the day would be a positive for the son of Zoffany.
WIN: ANOTHER RUN
Arabian Crown returns to the scene of his debut third in the 7f Class 4 Martin Densham Memorial British EBF Maiden Stakes (2:40) and may prove difficult to beat. He started favourite and arguably shaped the best of the field, given plenty to do in the final furlong and showing signs of inexperience before flying home in the closing stages to finish three-quarters of a length behind the winner. A maiden victory looks likely.
WIN: ARABIAN CROWN
Ed Walker's Libra Tiger drops back in distance for the 5f Class 4 Racing TV Handicap (2:10) and will be aiming to break through for a win after three consecutive seconds. The four-year-old has only raced once over five furlongs before, suffering an awkward start which lost him any chance of being able to get on terms. The form of his recent Newbury second puts the gelding firmly in the mix.
WIN: LIBRA TIGER
RACING & SPORTS SELECTIONS
RACE 1 – LIBRA TIGER
RACE 2 – ARABIAN CROWN
RACE 3 – SOPRANO
RACE 4 – ANOTHER RUN
RACE 5 – PROPHET'S DREAM
RACE 6 – SURREY BELLE
