The Sandringham Stakes is a handicap run over a mile. It takes place at 17:00 on Friday 23rd June, which is the fourth day of Royal Ascot 2023. View the runners here, and also make sure to check out the odds and tips on offer for this race.

NO.DRAW
FORM

HORSE

ODDS

JOCKEY& TRAINER

AGE

WGT

RPR

4⁽³¹⁾

114-07

Polly Pott

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ed Dunlop

9-6

100

109

Progressed out of nurseries to win the 1m Group 2 May Hill Stakes at Doncaster last September for the now-retired Harry Dunlop; however, she's been unable to replicate that form this year on her two runs for Ben Pauling and needs to raise her game now starting out for another new yard.

5⁽¹⁶⁾

2325-7

Breege

J: Jason Hart

T: John Quinn

9-6

100

106

Kept on well for third in 6f Group 3 here (good to firm) last July and for second in 7f Group 3 at Goodwood (good to soft) in August; soundly beaten on first two attempts at 1m but they were in Group 1s, firstly on very soft ground in France then on reappearance in Irish 1,000 Guineas; has a fair more realistic task here and she could go well in view of last summer's promise.

3⁽⁵⁾

11-564

Magical Sunset

J: Kevin Stott

T: Richard Hannon

9-8

102

111

2yo Listed winner (7f, heavy) who was suited by the step back up in trip when Listed fourth at Epsom (7f, good to firm) on Oaks day; having been behind she finished strongly last time and could relish this first crack at 1m; yard has won two of the last eight runnings; firmly in calculations.

23⁽²⁴⁾

5-2221

Unless

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O'Brien

8-8

117

It took her seven races to get off the mark, which happened in Naas maiden (1m, good) last month, but some of her form reads very well and she appears to be on a competitive mark for this handicap debut; dam won a Group 1 and she may yet be capable of better for top Irish trainer (who saddles two).

8⁽¹⁾

250-26

Zoinnocent

J: James McDonald

T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien

9-4

109

Group 3 runner-up (7f, good) last July and reappeared with good second of four at Naas (1m, heavy) behind next-time-out Group 3 winner Sprewell; failed to kick on from that when Listed sixth in blanket finish at Chantilly (1m, good to soft) last time but could nevertheless go well today.

29⁽³³⁾

17-378

Rich

J: Sam Hitchcott

T: Richard Hannon

8-5

112

Reappeared with good third of five in Kempton conditions race (1m, AW) in April and 1m2f may have stretched her the last twice, but she's still hard to fancy on the back of those two performances.

7⁽⁴⁾

721-35

Foniska

J: Colin Keane

T: Mrs John Harrington

9-4

105

1m 2yo maiden winner who has been headstrong and faded late over 1m2f in Listed race and Group 3 on her two runs this season; however, there's still been promise in those performances and this strongly run 1m may prove ideal.

15⁽²²⁾

127-1

Ma Belle Artiste

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien

8-11

118

Won 7f good-ground maiden last July on the first of three 2yo starts and showed improved form when landing fillies' conditions race at Killarney (1m, good to yielding) on reappearance; judged on that latest evidence she could be starting handicap life on an advantageous mark.

14⁽¹²⁾

24-172

Clounmacon

J: John R Velazquez

T: J P Murtagh

8-12

113

Well-backed favourite when going close on handicap debut at the Curragh (1m, good); travelled well in rear and stayed on strongly, so this big-field scenario could be right up her street; trainer won this in 2021 with Create Belief who contested that same Curragh handicap (won); on the shortlist.

18⁽³⁾

138-8

Lady Alara

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Charles Hills

8-10

108

Won on debut at Newbury (6f, good) last June and Listed third at Sandown (7f, good to firm) next time; however, she's been soundly beaten in eighth in 7f Group 3 races the last twice and needs to find improvement.

17⁽²⁰⁾

50-646

Candle Of Hope

J: Harry Davies

T: Richard Hughes

8-11

109

Won last July on first two runs before solid third of five in Newbury Listed race; however, she's failed to progress and others appeal more.

16⁽²¹⁾

346-08

Mottisfont

J: Rob Hornby

T: Hughie Morrison

8-11

110

Made the frame in 7f Group 3 races last August on good to firm and good to soft ground; hasn't threatened on soft going on her two runs this year; back on a better surface today but still has something to prove.

27⁽²⁹⁾

451-71

Novus

J: Andrea Atzeni

T: Gary Moore

8-6

114

Improved form to win at Newbury (6.5f, soft) last October and left reappearance run (7f, good) behind to win Goodwood handicap (7f, soft) last month; needs to transfer that ability back to a faster surface but it could be dangerous to write her off solely because of the ground, as she's shown some promise on good to firm; shaped last time as though 1m would suit; a possible.

31⁽¹¹⁾

34-11

Bellaphina

T: John Andrew Kinsella

8-5

113

Won Limerick maiden (7f, yielding to soft) on reappearance in April and narrowly beat Clounmacon to follow up on handicap debut at the Curragh (1m, good); may continue to improve and a 3lb rise isn't harsh; not ruled out.

21⁽⁷⁾

6127-1

Chelsea Green

J: Ben Curtis

T: Hugo Palmer

8-9

114

Built upon her 2yo promise to beat males and win on last month's handicap and seasonal debut at Newmarket (1m, good); that form isn't working out well but she made headway from the rear to win a shade cosily and has gone up just 3lb; could still be ahead of the handicapper.

22⁽²⁾

210-2

Eximious

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

8-9

111

Won at Salisbury (7f, good to firm) last September then well beaten in Group 2 Rockfel (7f, good); reappeared with close second in Newbury handicap (7f, good) and she's a possible improver for her top yard now upped to 1m.

25⁽¹⁸⁾

517-33

Balalaika

J: Hayley Turner

T: Rebecca Menzies

8-6

111

Has finished a close third this spring in her first two handicaps (1m/1m1f, AW/good to soft); however, today's race is much more competitive and she is likely to be vulnerable.

12⁽⁹⁾

3140-

Cell Sa Beela

J: David Egan

T: Roger Varian

9-0

101

With a top trainer and won a Beverley novice (7.4f, good) last August; however, she failed to make an impact in two Group 2 races in September and has been absent since; perhaps best watched off tough mark on return.

28⁽⁸⁾

10-6

Youngest

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Roger Varian

8-6

107

Won on debut at Leicester (7f, good) last September but has failed to shine the next twice in a Newmarket Group 3 (7f, good) and a C&D novice (good; reappearance); others have far more compelling claims.

13⁽⁶⁾

1-69

Bridestones

J: James Doyle

T: John & Thady Gosden

8-13

107

Impressive win at Yarmouth (1m, soft) on sole 2yo start; has contested Group 3 (7f, soft) and Group 1 (1m2f, very soft) races on her two starts this season (unplaced each time) and could take a step forward at some stage for her top yard, but such improvement is necessary.

1⁽¹⁹⁾

13-203

Dream Of Love

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

9-9

103

113

Second to subsequent 1,000 Guineas winner Mawj at Meydan (7f, soft) in January and, after finishing well beaten in the Newmarket Classic, she was a fair third in the German Guineas (1m, good to firm); not obviously well treated off top weight but represents powerful yard and is not ruled out.

9⁽²⁵⁾

1-01

Coppice

J: Frankie Dettori

T: John & Thady Gosden

9-3

108

Impressed at Kempton (7f, AW) on sole 2yo start and bounced back from Nell Gwyn tenth (7f, good to soft) when bolting up in Newcastle novice (1m, AW) last month; needs to prove she's effective on turf but this well-bred filly is in top hands and has the potential to be better than her opening mark.

2⁽²⁸⁾

125

Jackie Oh

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O'Brien

9-8

102

116

Won on debut at Naas (1m, heavy) in March and Listed runner-up at Navan (1m2f, heavy) in April; creditable fifth in Irish 1,000 Guineas (1m, good) last time and now drops into a handicap for her top Irish stable; her half-sister Onassis won this in 2020 and she could have a part to play.

6⁽¹⁴⁾

1-40

Karsavina

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Clive Cox

9-5

109

Won at Newmarket (7f, soft) on sole 2yo start and good fourth in the Group 3 Nell Gwyn there (7f, good to soft) on reappearance; heavy defeat in 1,000 Guineas (1m, soft) last time but retains potential and her pedigree hints she could improve for today's forecast better ground; not discounted.

NR⁽³⁰⁾

1-22

Orchid Bloom

T: William Haggas

8-5

Won on debut at Newmarket (7f, soft) last October and runner-up in novices at Chester (7.5f, good) and Kempton (7f, AW) on both runs this year; shaped last time as though this step up to a stiff 1m could prompt some improvement and she might not be far away for her good yard on handicap debut.

11⁽¹⁵⁾

61-40

Embrace

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Owen Burrows

9-1

109

Stylish winner at Wolverhampton (7f, AW) last November and kept on well for fourth in Group 3 at Newbury (7f, soft) on reappearance; well beaten in the 1,000 Guineas (1m, soft) since but well worth another go at this trip now tackling a handicap; possible contender if handling the ground.

26⁽²³⁾

1-12

Marksman Queen

J: Hollie Doyle

T: John & Thady Gosden

8-6

115

Novice wins on first two starts (1m, AW) and close second on recent handicap debut at Kempton (1m, AW) in a first-time hood (retained); a strong pace in this big field could help her settle better and her fine pedigree indicates she could have more to offer; one to consider for top yard.

19⁽²⁶⁾

122721

Choisya

J: Harry Burns

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

8-10

111

Improved form in handicaps of late, going very close at Goodwood (1m, good) then winning at Haydock (1m, good to firm); had just a short head to spare last time and today's race is much hotter, but she prevailed despite hanging left and she could benefit from the first-time cheekpieces.

20⁽²⁷⁾

8-222

Copy Artist

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

8-10

107

0-4 but runner-up on last three starts, most recently over C&D (good) in a warm novice; the admittedly comfortable winner went close in a Listed race next time and this filly holds each-way claims in her first handicap.

NR⁽¹⁰⁾

531111

Sparks Fly

T: David Loughnane

8-7

112

Highly progressive since switched to turf and made it 4-4 on grass (1m, soft/heavy) with easy win at Windsor last month; she's 10lb higher in this much hotter race and tackles vastly different ground, but her half-sister Caroline Dale won on quick going for connections; respected.

10⁽¹³⁾

164

Girl Racer

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

9-1

108

Won on debut (7f, AW) in March and shaped when sixth of 15 in the Group 3 Nell Gwyn at Newmarket (7f, good to soft) as though she would be suited by 1m; can be forgiven subsequent odds-on defeat in Haydock novice as she stumbled at the start; in excellent hands to progress and she's respected.

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Year	Horse [Draw]	Age	Weight	SP	Trainer	Jockey
2022	Heredia [21]	3	9-8	7/2	Richard Hannon	Sean Levey
2021	Create Belief [16]	3	9-2	6-1	J P Murtagh	Ben Coen
2020	Onassis [1]	3	8-1	33/1	Charlie Fellowes	Hayley Turner
2019	Thanks Be [4]	3	8-0	33/1	Charlie Fellowes	Hayley Turner
2018	Agrotera [5]	3	8-7	11/2F	Ed Walker	Jamie Spencer
2017	Con Te Partiro [11]	3	9-5	20/1	Wesley A Ward	Jamie Spencer
2016	Persuasive [17]	3	8-9	11/4F	John Gosden	Frankie Dettori
2015	Osaila [14]	3	9-7	13/2	Richard Hannon	Frankie Dettori
2014	Muteela [22]	3	8-13	9/2F	Mark Johnston	Paul Hanagan
2013	Annecdote [3]	3	8-7	11/1	Jonathan Portman	Richard Kingscote
2012	Duntle [18]	3	9-2	4/1F	David Wachman	Wayne Lordan

Key race stats

Lost maiden tag, 9/10
Drawn in the five highest or the five lowest stalls, 8/10
Carried no more than 9st 2lb, 8/10
Won over 7f or a mile earlier that season, 7/10
No more than three juvenile starts, 6/10

Other factors

Five winners ran in handicaps as three-year-olds (four won at least one; exception finished second).
Four winners had contested a Listed or Group race at three.

What happened last year?

Another thrilling finish in this handicap saw three horses emerge late on the scene, with Heredia getting the best of the argument. Unbeaten in three starts, Heredia, who started favourite, stormed through the field to win by a length but had to survive a stewards’ inquiry having bumped runner-up Zanbaq towards the finish. Those drawn high dominated the finish, with the first five home all drawn 17 or higher, while four of those were also at the head of the weights.

Sandringham Stakes Handicap

17:35 Royal Ascot

Verdict

Past 10 Winners

Key race stats

What happened last year?

All Races