Paul Kealy's play of the day at Sandown

Star Of Orion

1.50 Sandown

Waiting All Night heads the market for Sandown's opening Class 3 7f handicap (1.50), and there's no major argument with that given he has been progressive this summer and boasts recent form figures of 121.

He did get the run of the race over a mile at Newmarket last time, with not much pace pressure in the early stages, and he might do well to hold off the finishing kick of Star Of Orion back at this trip.

The latter was having only his second outing for Eve Johnson Houghton that day and was held up last, but he still pulled well clear of the remainder, confirming he still retains all his ability after being transferred out of Ralph Beckett's yard.

He was a remarkably consistent horse last season, with his only finish out of the first four in some very competitive heats being when sixth in the Bunbury Cup, and he can certainly win off his current mark if putting it altogether in first-time cheekpieces.

His trainer's record with that first-time headgear is nothing special (10-119 since 2016), but he ran really well in first-time blinkers a couple of seasons ago, which gives hope. 

I don't think he does much wrong anyway, as he just runs in very competitive races which are hard to win. His only three runs in Class 3 handicaps have yielded form figures of 119, with the ninth a first-time-out effort this season when he was bumped at the start (his fault to be fair) and could never get clear sailing after.

Star Of Orion13:50 Sandown

View Racecard

Jky: Charles Bishop Tnr: Eve Johnson Houghton

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