'He loves Sandown and is in top form' - which trainer hopes for a bold show?

Sunday: 4.12 Sandown
Sky Bet Sunday Series Sprint Handicap | 5f | 3yo+| ITV4/RTV

This is a fiercely competitive sprint handicap containing a mixture of fully exposed, in-form runners and some low-mileage three-year-olds.

Silky Wilkie and Edward Cornelius catch the eye from the second category, and they will have plenty of supporters. It is probably sensible to put a line through Silky Wilkie’s Nottingham odds-on defeat last time, as it came five days after his Haydock victory.

Karl Burke’s runner is 6lb higher than when scoring at Haydock, but his profile is thoroughly progressive and it would be no surprise to see him bounce back.

Edward Cornelius, runner-up to Rathbone in Hamilton’s Scottish Stewards’ Cup last month, was considered fast enough to tackle the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock in May. He also has scope for further improvement.

The seven-year-old Lord Riddiford heads the weights after recording his 11th career success at Goodwood last month. He is 3lb higher and races off a mark of 90, but did win off 94 at Wolverhampton in February 2021.

Treacherous has done the vast majority of his racing at six furlongs, but coped with the drop in trip when a staying-on second at Windsor on Monday to Lipsink. Sandown’s stiffer track should suit.

Glamorous Breeze is the intriguing contender. Her style of racing suggests she will relish this long-overdue opportunity to tackle a big field in suitable company.

An impressive cruising speed sets her apart from many at this level, and a mark of 82 may not be the ceiling of this filly’s ability.
Race analysis by Richard Birch

Lord Riddiford lines up for in-form Quinn

Lord Riddiford bids to cap a memorable week for trainer John Quinn after the success of Highfield Princess in the Nunthorpe Stakes.

The Quinns made sure to celebrate the five-year-old's second top-level triumph near their yard in Malton on Friday evening and are confident Lord Riddiford can back up his half-length Glorious Goodwood success, despite shouldering top weight at Sandown.

Assistant trainer Sean Quinn said: "He's in good form and has come out of Goodwood well. He looked like he was back to his best that day and I'd say we're expecting another big run from him.

"We had a lot of good celebrations when we got back to Malton yesterday and hopefully Lord Riddiford can cap off what has been a great time for us."

What they say

Karl Burke, trainer of Silky Wilkie
He's been on the go for a while. He's very consistent and looks ready again. The track didn't really seem to suit him that well last time and we're hoping Sandown might suit better.

Jedd O'Keeffe, trainer of Devil's Angel
We know he loves Sandown and Callum Shepherd gets on well with him. He's up 7lb for his win at Haydock, but he was impressive and I was shocked at his price. It may be down to how he reacts in the stalls and if he behaves himself again I'm confident. He's in top form.

Mokaatil (near): the mount of Connor PlannasCredit: Edward Whitaker

Ian Williams, trainer of Mokaatil
He'll enjoy the idiosyncrasies of Sandown and we've called up young apprentice Connor Planas to ride. He takes 7lb off, which will be invaluable.

Jim Goldie, trainer of Be Proud and Primo's Comet
They travelled down on Saturday afternoon and seem to be grand. Be Proud won the race last year. The draw could've been kinder to the pair of them and I'd have preferred it if they were closer to the rail, but I'm hopeful both will run well.

Adam Ryan, assistant trainer to Kevin Ryan, trainer of Rambuso Creek
He's been improving for most of the year, but you can put a line through his last Haydock run, which wasn't his true running. If he bounces back to his previous form he should have a live chance.
Reporting by Matt Rennie

Sunday's race previews:

1.33 Deauville: O'Brien holds the aces as exciting Blackbeard bids to build on Chantilly promise

2.50 Deauville: The racing world will be watching as Verry Elleegant takes to the European stage

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

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

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