3.55pm Sandown Tips & Betting Preview 01/09/2017

A field of eight go to post for the feature race of the day at Sandown on Friday. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Winner of his maiden at the second attempt, the step up in trip to the 1m 2f distance the last twice for ELUCIDATION backfired and he can get back to winning ways today after a break. He should be much more suited to the one mile distance and Sir Michael Stoute’s horses tend to improve for their racing, so he should be a different proposition today. Ryan Moore takes the ride and he can record his maiden handicap success at the expense of Archetype, who should also benefit from a drop back in trip.

1 ARCHETYPE – Progressive sort for Simon Crisford, gaining a second career victory when making all over the 1m 2f trip here back in July. He was raised six pounds as a result and the softer ground is a viable excuse for his defeat at Glorious Goodwood in August. he is a very interesting contender dropped back to the mile, as he should be able to bounce out of the gates and try and make all under Oisin Murphy. He has to be respected as a main contender.

2 PILLAR OF SOCIETY – Things have really clicked the last thrice for this Richard Hannon three year old, who has won two of his last three starts. He was only beaten a nose on his only defeat, getting back to the winner’s enclosure when winning at Newmarket on his latest start. He was all out that day though and he’s up four pounds, so he does need to improve again. A soft lead here is unlikely and he looks set for a place on this occasion.

3 ELUCIDATION – Won his maiden at the second attempt with a comfortable success at Leicester, with a step up in trip to the 1m 2f distance the last twice back firing. He didn’t look like a stayer at the distance on both occasions and he drops back to the mile today, which should be a much more suitable trip for him. He has been given a break to recover from his previous excursions and with the fact that Sir Michael Stoute’s horses come on for their racing, he should take this contest under Ryan Moore.

4 HIGH ACCLAIM – Consistent sort for Roger Teal who more often than not hits the frame in his races, last seen at Windsor where he was caught out by the six furlong trip. He will be happier back up in distance but he hardly rates as one of the best handicapped in the field, still seven pounds above his last winning mark due to his consistent nature. He’s an each way contender on that basis but he’s vulnerable for win purposes.

5 ICESPIRE – Won her maiden in good style for John Gosden and backed that up with a good second in conditions company, though she hasn’t been seen since a well beaten effort in a Listed race at Goodwood in May. She has something to prove now on handicap debut, with a mark of 85 demanding some progress from her here. The yard remains in great form and conditions will be fine, but she is risky.

6 ROBIN WEATHERS – Handicap debutant who won on debut at Salisbury in July, keeping on stoutly to win on the nod ahead of a rival who has won since. He makes his handicap debut off a mark of 84 which does demand further progress and this step up in trip should be the catalyst for that. Willie Haggas’ string continue to run in brilliant form and he’s an unexposed type who should make his presence felt here.

7 MADELEINE BOND – Three year old filly who is bidding for a four-timer today, arriving here on the back of a comfortable success at Bath on her latest start. She has been raised a further five pounds though and she’s up into a tougher class, so she will definitely need a further jolt of improvement to win this. She looks an each way player with conditions to suit, but she should find at least one of these too good off this mark.