Gala Stakes day: tips, racecards and previews for the big meeting at Sandown live on Racing TV
THE two-day Coral-Eclipse meeting gets underway on Friday, with the £40,000 Gala Stakes the main race on the card.
It's a cracking days racing in store, and we've got you covered with an in-depth race-by-race preview complete with racecards and tips.
Race 1 – 1.50 Sandown Park Supports Racing Staff Week Handicap
Only seven runners in the opener but it's a trappy affair.
It could pay to side with JUMIRA BRIDGE who has slipped back to his last winning mark.
He has a C&D victory to his name and has undergone a wind op since a disappointing winter campaign on the AW.
Last-time-out winners Beyond Equal and Exalted Angel are big dangers, while the lightly-raced Swiss Knight shaped with promise on his reappearance and should be sharper now.
SELECTION: Jumira Bridge DANGER: Beyond Equal
Race 2 – 2.20 Chasemore Farm Dragon Stakes (Listed)
A cracking race in prospect, with several of these turning out quickly after Royal Ascot.
It's hard to weigh up who has the strongest form at present, but EXPRESSIONIST could be worth chancing.
He missed the break in the Norfolk Stakes and was never really able to get involved, so he is better judged on his debut win where he looked a very smart prospect.
Liberty Beach did incredibly well to finish fourth in the Queen Mary having raced away from the main field. She has drawn well here and is a big threat.
Al Raya was just behind Liberty Beach at Ascot and is another to consider, along with Makyon and Rayong.
SELECTION: Expressionist DANGER: Liberty Beach
Race 3 – 2.55 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Stakes
RIOT was backed as if defeat was out of the question on his racecourse debut over C&D.
Unfortunately for his supporters, he rather threw the race away when stargazing in the lead, eventually finishing a close second.
He will have learnt plenty and can open his account now at the chief expense of Moolhim, who was unlucky not to finish closer when beaten into third on his first outing at Newmarket.
Laser Show makes appeal on paper so is not discounted, while market support for What An Angel should be noted.
SELECTION: Riot DANGER: Moolhim
Race 4 – 3.25 Davies Insurance Services Gala Stakes (Listed)
A good quality renewal of this race in which EXTRA ELUSIVE gets the nod with Ryan Moore in the plate.
The son of Mastercraftsman has a big engine, as he showed when winning at Nottingham and Kempton last year, but things haven't worked out for him the last twice.
He missed the break when fifth behind Elarqam (who carries a penalty today) at Goodwood most recently; it was possible he was sleeping in first-time blinkers there so the removal of the headgear today is a positive.
The aforementioned Elarqam clearly demands respect, but Royal Line could pose a bigger threat.
The lightly-raced five-year-old was last sighted winning the November Handicap and remains open to significant progress this term.
Fifth Position will appreciate this drop in trip, while Chief Ironside could go well at a price if let loose on the lead.
SELECTION: Extra Elusive DANGER: Royal Line
Race 5 – 4.00 George Lindon-Travers Memorial Handicap
JAZEEL travelled sweetly when second in a hot handicap at Epsom on his last outing.
He is only 1lb higher here and this more conventional track will be to his liking.
The hat-trick seeking Badenscoth was an impressive winner over C&D three weeks ago, but he faces much quicker underfoot conditions this time around.
Beringer drops in class having finished midfield in the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot, so it would be no surprise to see him bounce back.
The lightly-raced Mutaabeq and the Queen's Elector are others to consider in a quality heat.
SELECTION: Jazeel DANGER: Beringer
Race 6 – 4.35 Sequel Handicap
C&D winner MACHINE LEARNER was narrowly touched off in this race two years ago.
Plenty of water has gone under the bridge since then but he is on a dangerous mark and will appreciate the return to this track having run below expectations at Chester last time.
Ship Of The Fen ran well on ground softer than ideal at Goodwood and he remains a stayer on the up.
Gary Moore has secured his son Ryan for the ride aboard Imphal, so he is obviously expected to go well, while Unit Of Assessment and Emenem aren't out of the reckoning either.
SELECTION: Machine Learner DANGER: Ship Of The Fen
Race 7 – 5.05 Coppafeel 10 Year Anniversary Handicap
A very tricky race to conclude the card. If you're at Sandown, my advice would be to spend your money at the bar.
The handily-weighted BIOTIC was given a lovely ride to win this race 12 months ago off 4lb lower, and it would be no surprise were he to peak again here given his good record at the track.
His rider Joanna Mason is one of the better lady amateurs around with 26 winners to her name.
Chetan and Club Tropicana look the biggest dangers in a wide-open finale.
SELECTION: Biotic DANGER: Chetan
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