Can Keith Dalgleish sign off in style in the Sunday Series finale at Sandown?

6.42 Sandown
Sky Bet Sunday Series Stayers Handicap | 1m6f | 3yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Keith Dalgleish appears to hold a strong hand in another fiercely competitive handicap, with Evaluation and El Picador looking capable of getting firmly into the mix.

Evaluation has thrived this term, rattling off a four-timer at Wetherby, Ripon, York and Musselburgh before finishing fourth in the consolation race for the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle.

The son of Dubawi was given plenty to do that day, never nearer than at the finish, and he could well bounce back after a near-two month break.

Stablemate El Picador is still unexposed at this sort of trip, and outran odds of 18-1 to chase home the well-handicapped Run For Oscar over 2m at Haydock last time.

Time is likely to tell that he faced mission impossible in attempting to concede 3lb to the winner, and a stiff 1m6f could prove ideal for him.

Liverpool Knight compromised his chance by taking a keen hold when sent off 8-1 for Haydock’s Old Newton Cup over 1m4f last month.

The four-year-old has winning form at 1m6f, and has been dropped 1lb since his latest run. In short, there is plenty to recommend him.

Fellow four-year-old Aggagio, winner of four of his last five races – two of them over hurdles – was by no means all out to beat solid yardstick Ravens Ark by half a length over 1m6f at Goodwood in June.

A 4lb rise for that victory looks fair, and there’s surely more to come from him.
Race analysis by Richard Birch

What they say

Kevin Philippart de Foy, trainer of Liverpool Knight
It was a hot race at Haydock last time and I don’t think they went overly fast. He needs a decent pace but he is running over probably his best trip.

Gary Moore, trainer of Barn Owl and Aggagio
Aggagio has exceeded all expectations. He’s up in grade and higher in the weights, so he will have to find a little more. Barn Owl has been disappointing and he’s just had a wind operation. It’s a fact-finding mission but he is probably still too high in the handicap.

Gary Moore: runs Barn Owl and AggagioCredit: Edward Whitaker

Roger Teal, trainer of Dancing Harry
We gave him a short break after his last run as he was showing the effects of a couple of hard races. He has a bit of a dodgy draw but if he can overcome that he will have a decent chance.

Mick Channon, trainer of Single
She’s been in good form all season and put in an excellent effort to win at Newmarket last time. The form of that race looks good and she has been raised 5lb but that is offset by George Rooke’s claim.

Richard Spencer, trainer of Danni California
She’s had a bit of quiet time after her last run. The handicapper hasn't been easy on her – she’s gone up 14lb in the weights since the start of the year – but we have Hollie Doyle riding, so that’s a bonus.

Ian Williams, trainer of Justus
He probably wants the ground to be a bit slower, but we've waited for months to run him and everywhere he's been declared, there just hasn't been any rain for him to run. I can't see the ground at Sandown being anything other than safe, so we will let him take his chance.
Reporting by Michael Robson

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4.00 Naas: British challenge may hold the key to tricky Ballyogan Stakes puzzle

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