1.50pm Sandown Tips & Betting Preview 02/09/2017

A field of ten go to post for the first race of the day on ITV Racing. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Justice Lady arrives in good form and should be on the premises but preference is for SHAMSHON. He won a competitive race at Newmarket in July and although he has been relatively poor the last twice, the races weren’t run to suit and he did have excuses. A mark of 89 sees him only two pounds above his last winning mark and today’s race should be run to suit, with a strong pace almost certain. Jim Crowley takes the ride and with conditons to suit, he can gain another success.

1 MONSIUER JOE – Narrowly pipped in a course and distance Group 3 last year for Paul Midgley but he’s mainly been disappointing since and he arrives here with age clearly catching up to him. He was languishing in fifth on his latest start at Nottingham, a Class 3 event and he’s only two pounds lower here. The yard are in good form, but it does little to tempt and others rate as more solid propositions.

2 SHAMSHON – Out and out hold up horse who needs all the luck to fall his way like it did three starts ago where he stormed through to win a Newmarket handicap in July. He’s now two pounds lower after two runs where he had excuses. He was last seen at York where he was never dangerous from any stage, unable to get into a race that never played to his strengths. He has a good record at Sandown though and the hill should definitely play to his strengths. Jim Crowley takes the ride and he is taken to enhance his record here with a seven career victory.

3 KASBAH – Inconsistent sort for Amanda Perrett who finished second over course and distance on his penultimate start, but failed to back that up when well beaten in a Goodwood handicap subsequently. That took his turf record to one win from seventeen, with his record being much more positive on the all weather. Others make more appeal on this occasion and he’s best watched.

4 MAJESTIC HERO – Won with a bit up his sleeve when taking an Epsom Handicap back in April for Ronald Harris, but things haven’t been straight forward since. He has been mainly disappointing, last seen at Epsom on Monday where he was third, his best effort for some time. He remains on the same mark which means he is two pounds below his winning mark, so he does have definite claims with Jamie Spencer back up. He is risky, though.

5 SHOW STEALER – Four year old filly who has been very poor this season for Rae Guest, struggling to beat a rival more often than not. Those runs however were in a higher grade than this and she drops back to Class 3 company for the first time in her career. She is now only a pound above her last winning mark as the handicapper has given her a chance. She does remain risky but she should have her part to play here and is considered.

6 SUPER JULIUS – Returned to form with a pair of Class 5 wins in June/July, but a combination of a three pound rise and step up in class saw him well held on his latest start at Windsor. He has only been dropped a pound and judging by his record in this grade and beyond, he’s hard to fancy. Eve Johnson Houghton’s string to remain in good form, but he’s another whose best left alone today.

7 JUSTICE LADY – Hold up horse who won at Doncaster three starts ago with a very canny ride from today’s rider Shane Kelly, far from disgraced on two proceeding runs for David Elsworth. She was last seen at Salisbury when third, not beaten far and although she’s up in grade, she couldn’t be ruled out with any confidence. Possible each way contender with conditions to suit.

8 BAHAMIAN SUNRISE – Has hit a purple patch the last twice, winning a course and distance handicap on his penultimate start before a narrow defeat at Brighton behind an in form runner. He only faced three rivals in both those races though and he goes up in grade here, which does temper enthusiasm somewhat. Silvestre De Sousa takes over from a claimer which is interesting to note but he could only be given each way claims.

9 FARLEIGH MAC – Remains seven pounds above his last winning mark and the handicapper looks firmly in charge judging by his two well beaten efforts the last twice. Connections reach for the first time blinkers and he’s dropped back to five furlongs, but he remains with too much to prove at present, so others are readily preferred.

10 LYDIA’S PLACE – Took a pair of victories earlier this campaign but the handicapper has taken charge on the back of those runs, with a well held second at Windsor on her penultimate start remaining her best effort since. She was well beaten at Musselburgh on her latest start and a rise in class doesn’t look the obvious move at present, so she’s likely best watched.