1

GM Hopkins

Not as good as he was but his handicap rating is gradually becoming easier and it is also positive that both his two previous runs at this track were good including a handicap win over this trip back in 2014. He’s unlikely to be far from the money.

2

Master The World

Expensive to follow having failed to win his last 20 starts. Given that, his handicap mark remains stubbornly high. He can idle when in front and isn’t an easy ride. Best on quick ground.

3

Muntazah

Back in distance and class after generally failing to impress over longer distances and in stronger company. However he did run quite well in a Listed handicap at Royal Ascot last time, not beaten far after meeting interference.

4

Hors De Combat

Olivier Peslier is an interesting jockey booking for this gelding who has only won twice and has failed to win in his last 21 starts. He did come close to another victory earlier this year, at Meydan (running two good races there) and Bath.

5

Blair House

A lightly raced gelding making his Sandown debut. On his 2017 debut he ran a terrific race with a fast finish that only narrowly failed to win a prestigious Royal Ascot handicap over the straight 1600m. The weight rise might not stop him.

6

Mythical Madness

Didn’t figure seriously at Royal Ascot last time but he’d previously been much sharper when beating ten rivals at Haydock, though some of his opponents underperformed in a slowly-run race there. Usually delivered late.

7

Greenside

His two best career starts have been over this course and distance, especially last time when he quickened from a difficult position to win a handicap here last month. His trainer was surprised that he handled the fast ground so well that day.

8

George William

His low gate turned out to be a big negative at Royal Ascot last time and that run can easily be forgotten. He had earlier produced a career best when second of 24 over 1400m, also at Ascot. His two turf wins have come on fast ground.

9

Rusumaat

Didn’t show much in a huge field at Royal Ascot last time but not every horse is suited by those cavalry charges. He had previously won a handicap over 1634m at Haydock, galloping off in front and never looking like getting caught.

10

Manson

Not good enough in a G3 at Meydan earlier in the year and a bit disappointing on his last start in March. More positively his only turf win came with a surprise success over this course and distance last year, again running well here later last season.

11

Secret Art

Came with a vigorous challenge down the centre of the track to win this last year. He races off just a 3lb higher handicap rating here but a bigger worry would be fast ground  If there’s plenty of rain at Sandown, his supporters will be happy.

12

Sir Roderic

Justified favouritism in a handicap over this course and distance about a year ago, and also ran a good third of 12 here in May. However his handicap mark doesn’t look easy especially as his last two runs have been uninspiring efforts.

13

El Hayem

Lightly raced, he was a close second in a handicap here about a year ago. An imminent 2017 victory looked likely following two encouraging runs but he ran a stinker at Newbury last time, his trainer subsequently blaming the soft ground.

14

Glory Awaits

Won a G2 in Turkey back in 2014 but has failed to win in 18 starts since. However he did run really well last time – his first Sandown visit – leading and only surrendering late on in the handicap won by Greenside. He is 5lb better off with that rival here.

15

Pactolus

Races more often on all-weather surfaces and his turf record is 0-10. However his recent fourth of 14 over 2000m at Newmarket was encouraging especially as this shorter trip looks more suitable. His handicap mark looks quite lenient.

16

Naval Warfare

Kicked off the 2017 season with a front-running handicap victory over 1648m at Leicester in May. That was on fast ground but his action suggests that good or slower ground may be better. He missed a Royal Ascot engagement for this.

17

Ripoll

A candidate for the lead here, having led in a 1600m handicap at Newbury last time, fading once headed around 250m from the end. All his wins so far have come on an all-weather surface and he is 0-11 on the grass.