6.35pm Sandown Tips & Betting Preview 26/07/2017

A field of nine go to post for the second race of the day at Sandown on Wednesday evening, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Almoreb has been running well of late for Richard Hannon and has to be respected back on softer going, but this can go to Andrew Balding’s ITSAKINDAMAGIC. He was far too keen early on at Thirsk when last seen, but still managed to finish second and well clear of the remainder in a higher grade than this. He now drops down two classes to compete in this race and he remains unexposed after only five runs, with conditions perfect for him. He looks tough to beat under David Probert with Dragon’s Voice another viable each way player after winning on Monday, but he does have to prove he can cope in a higher grade.

1 DUBAI’S SECRET – Last win came off this mark back in July 2016, but he is yet to hit his best form for the David Barron yard, last seen in claiming company at Chester in June. He could only manage a well beaten third in that race and this race is certainly no easier. Conditions will suit and he’s more than capable off this sort of mark, but he does have something to prove and others make more appeal on this occasion.

2 HARLEQUIN STRIKER – Five year old for Dean Ivory who is only one pound higher than for his last win at Windsor back in June 2016, though he’s been very mixed since then. He was far from disgraced when second at Windsor on his penultimate start, but he ran no sort of race when last seen at Epsom, tailed off when ridden at the three furlong pole. He is obviously capable of better but he’s hard to catch right and others make far more appeal.

3 KINGSTON KURRAJONG – Son of Authorized who hasn’t won since June 2016 and he continues to fall down the weights as he is yet to have placed since. He is now nine pounds below his last winning mark, but his latest third at Newbury didn’t suggest he was coming back to the boil for Michael Attwater. It’s hard to dismiss him on the basis of how well treated he is and softer ground is likely to see him at his best, so he has definite each way claims.

4 ITSAKINDAMAGIC – Headstrong sort who pulled his chance away when second at Thirsk on his latest start, but there was no disgrace in that and this race represents a big class drop for him. He goes from Class 2 competition to Class 4 and he is only two pounds higher than his latest start, with conditions perfect for this lightly raced three year old. David Probert takes the ride for the inform Andrew Balding and he looks very tough to beat in this.

5 MISTER MUSIC – No wins for almost two years now which has to be of concern for this eight year old, but he has been running reasonably well of late and shouldn’t be far away under Adam Kirby. e was last seen at Kempton when a closing fifth, making up a huge amount of ground late on. He should be happier back up to the mile and conditions are perfect, so he looks a big contender and has to be considered.

6 ALMOREB – Broke his maiden at the second attempt when winning at Newbury in May and he’s been far from disgraced the last twice in handicap company. He was last seen at Sandown when sixth in a competitive affair, only beaten around three lengths and the ground was likely against him on that occasion. Softer ground will be far more to his liking and he’s another to consider with Jim Crowley coming to take the ride.

7 MULTITASK – Did well for the Gary Moore team last year, winning a total of four times on the bounce, but he is yet to fire this season. He has finished last on both his previous runs and has only beaten one rival home in his last three starts, which tells you the full story. He is rated two pounds lower on the turf but that does little to boost his chances and others are readily preferred.

8 DRAGONS VOICE – Running well on softer surfaces for Philip Hide, winning two of his last three runs including a comfortable victory at Windsor on Monday. He escapes a penalty for that and is clearly going the right way, but going up in grade will be tough and this is a very short time between races. Possible each way contender under Harry Bentley but he’s likely to find at least one of these too good.

9 TESTBOURNE – Well beaten in handicaps on his last two starts for Karl Burke, weakening tamely at Hamilton when last seen and beaten a very long way in the end. The handicapper has dropped him a further two pounds, but a drop back in trip is unlikely to help enough to make him competitive in this race under Kieran O’Neill with lots of rivals bringing better form into the race. Hard to fancy and can only be watched.