Robbie Wilders' play of the day at Sandown

Chesspiece

7.07 Sandown

If it isn't the Heron then surely the Henry II Stakes (7.07) is the most intriguing race on the card at Sandown, and we have a Sagaro rematch between Caius Chorister, Sweet William and Trueshan.

There is a case for suggesting Trueshan can reverse the positions with the other two with that run behind him and an ease in the surface to suit, but I'm not sold on that form and backing eight-year-olds who are carrying 7lb penalties is not for me.

With ground concerns over the rapidly improving Prydwen, who probably won't run, I have to go for the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Chesspiece.

Staying races often go the way of horses who are unexposed at the trip, and the form of Chesspiece's length second to Middle Earth under a 3lb penalty in the Noel Murless at Ascot last October reads really well now with the winner going on to score in great style at Newbury on Saturday.

That Ascot performance implies Chesspiece deserves a shot at this kind of race and the Crisfords clearly agree as his only other upcoming entry is the Gold Cup.

We can expect Chesspiece's Newbury fifth in the John Porter to have brought him forward and, with the rain to have hit Sandown working in his favour, there is plenty to like about his claims. He might have too much class for these. 

Chesspiece19:07 Sandown

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Jky: William Buick Tnr: Simon & Ed Crisford

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