17:10
Sandown
Odds correct as of 11:26am 27th May
We have a rare mid-week treat on our hands on Thursday, with Group 3 action on offer at Sandown in the evening. Star middle-distance performer Ombudsman makes his first British start of the season in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes and there will be lots of interested parties there. Joseph O’Brien sends a runner over and there’s a trainer and jockey combo with a 100 per cent record at the track this season. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Ed Walker and Kieran Shoemark have combined to great effect at Sandown so far this season and the duo are 2/2. They are set to be represented by another two runners on Thursday, the first of which is the lightly raced Gouken, who got off the mark in a Newcastle maiden last month.
Golden Knight is an interesting outsider in the Heron Stakes but it looks like a pretty competitive event. He won a Newmarket novice when last seen in October and will need to step forward significantly in order to feature here. You certainly wouldn’t want to rule out this thoroughly unexposed colt however.
John & Thady Gosden’s 128-rate five-year-old Ombudsman was one of Britain’s most talented performers last season and he is set to make his first start of the season on home soil. A comfortable winner of the Dubai Turf at Meydan in March, he’s going to be a tough nut to crack.
The progressive Gethin won a Listed contest at Kempton by a wide margin on his reappearance ad there could be more to come from him. Ryan Moore rides Arabian Light for Charlie Appleby and James Owen’s Wimbledon Hawkeye brings some fair form to the table too.
Joseph O’Brien has only had two previous runners at Sandown and he’ll be hoping that Andab can be lucky number three. He finished second to a subsequent Group 3 winner at the Curragh last time out and he was a fair fourth in the Coventry Stakes last term. A big run can’t be ruled out.