Black-Type Analysis: Makes His Bid For Redemption In The Heron Stakes

[Wandering Eyes]

Thursday, Sandown, post time: 19:05, STAR SPORTS HENRY II STAKES-G3, £80,000, 4yo/up, 16f 50yT

Field: Al Nayyir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Burdett Road (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), Coltrane (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), Tashkhan (Ire) (Born To Sean {Ire}), Trawlerman (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}).

TDN Verdict: Trawlerman looks to strengthen his Gold Cup claims now that old foe Kyprios has been ushered out of the scene and the 2023 G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup winner is a cut above these rivals on all evidence. The last time Burdett Road ran on the Flat, he was four lengths behind Trawlerman as they chased home Kyprios in the latest renewal of the Long Distance Cup and it will be interesting to see how he fares after a subsequent jumping campaign including a second in the Champion Hurdle. [Tom Frary].

Thursday, Sandown, post time: 19:35, STAR SPORTS BRIGADIER GERARD STAKES-G3, £80,000, 4yo/up, 9f 209yT

Field: Ombudsman (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Persica (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Aafoor (Qurbaan), Almaqam (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), Bolster (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Cicero's Gift (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), Enfijaar (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Military Order (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Phantom Flight (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}).

TDN Verdict: One of the key stepping stones to the G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes sees the return of the Gosdens' exciting Ombudsman who has a penalty for his success in the G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange when last seen in September. That will make life tough given that the likes of Almaqam has a fitness edge having finished third in the course-and-distance G3 Gordon Richards Stakes last month. Interestingly, his career-best win came in the Listed Heron Stakes on this card 12 months ago and this really has to be the time that he lives up to Ed Walker's expectations. [Tom Frary].

Thursday, Baden-Baden, Germany, post time: 16:35, 47TH KRONIMUS BADENER MEILE-G3, €55,000, 3yo/up, 8fT

Field: Penalty (Ger) (Frankel {GB}), Best Lightning (Fr) (Sidestep {Aus}), Montanus (Ger) (Amaron {GB}), Short Final (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}), Switsch (Ger) (Millowitsch {Ger}), Words Of Peace (Ger) (Palace Prince {Ger}), Namaron (Ger) (Amaron {GB}).

TDN Verdict: Last year's G3 Oettingen Rennen winner Penalty may have most to fear from the unexposed 3-year-old Namaron, who captured Krefeld's G3 Dr Busch-Memorial last month and gets a healthy weight-for-age boost. [Tom Frary].

Thursday, Sandown, post time: 20:05, STAR SPORTS HERON STAKES-Listed, £45,000, 3yo, 8fT

Field: Bay City Roller (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Jackknife (GB) (Kameko), Matauri Bay (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Nebras (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Opera Ballo (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), Pellitory (GB) (Sergei Prokofiev), Suhail Star (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}).

TDN Verdict: This launchpad to Royal Ascot boasts a roll of honour which includes subsequent G1 St James's Palace hero Without Parole (Frankel) and St James's Palace placegetters Consort (Lope De Vega), King Of Comedy (Kingman) and My Prospero (Iffraaj). Godolphin's TDN Rising Star Opera Ballo emptied early behind Field Of Gold in last month's G3 Craven Stakes and bids for redemption and black type in this second turf start. Opposition includes the unbeaten duo Bay City Roller, who annexed last term's G2 Champagne Stakes, and last month's Epsom novice winner Jackknife. [Sean Cronin].

Thursday, Sandown, post time: 18:35, STAR SPORTS NATIONAL STAKES-Listed, £40,000, 2yo, 5f 10yT

Field: Alkuwarrior (Ire) (Alkumait {GB}), Clear Force (Ire) (Supremacy {Ire}), First Legion (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Kamakameleon (GB) (Kameko), Anthelia (Ire) (Supremacy {Ire}), Eskimo Pie (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}), Sayidah Hard Spun (GB) (Ubettabelieveit {Ire}).

TDN Verdict: This stepping stone to the Royal meeting is most often used a trial for the G2 Norfolk Stakes and G2 Queen Mary Stakes. Rizeena, the 2013 winner, was the last to prevail here and double up at Ascot. The Richard Hannon stable, last successful with subsequent Norfolk third King Of Rooks (Acclamation) in 2015, is represented here by First Legion who comes back off a York debut victory two weeks ago. His chief threat is Karl Burke nominee Clear Force, who notched a clear-cut success at Ripon last month. Burke has previously won this with Norfolk 10th Havana Grey (Havana Gold) and Norfolk third Elite Status (Havana Grey). [Sean Cronin]

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