2:25 Sandown Tips

Three wins from four starts for Andrew Balding (SR 19%) trained Blue Point filly. Scored over course and distance in July under a well-timed ride from Colin Keane (SR 26%), up again here. Solid prospects on the basis of form. Has looked professional with a touch of class so far. Listed winner last time.

Bright Thunder has had a cracking year so far with only five runs but won and placed in two listed events and placed in two G3. So, he has my vote EW 4P.

Spiritual could be set for a freebie out front, so it could prove interesting to peg back if given too much rope. But a largish field here suggests there might be something else willing to force the pace and get involved off the front. Of those in behind pace-wise, I was most interested in Cathedral. She beat Flight with ease as a 2yo, and her 4th in the Group 1 Coronation is probably the pick of the form in this. Seemingly with an ability to stay further, having shown that in France last time, she could appreciate a strong pace here. Whilst that form hasn’t been franked by the winner, the horse behind Cathedral has placed 2nd in Group 2 since, to put at least some sort of gloss on it. She’s got something to find with Spiritual on their Lingfield running, but she was close enough late on having been sluggish away and a bit keen. Meeting over this trip, I think she can turn the tables despite being worse off at the weights.

Spiritual is the class horse in the field but has a three pound penalty on top of weight for age for having won a Group race. She comfortably beat Bright Thunder at Epsom in a Group 3 making all but faded out of the places into 4th in this race last year. If Robert Havlin gets the fractions right at Sandown she should make a good attempt at making all again.

Saffron Beach and Tamfana both claimed this as 3yos having gone close in the 1000 Guineas earlier in the season and I fancy Flight can put a poor run behind her to do the same. She won a maiden here on her only visit to Sandown and ran really well to finish 2nd in the Guineas before 6th in the Irish version. Below par at Royal Ascot but freshened up since which could see a revival that would give her a strong chance at the weights.

Big shot in the dark here given only one run so far, but that was on soft and was impressive. Can go in here if building on that.

American Gal could go well at odds here. Wasn't disgraced at Ascot a few weeks ago and has been running well this term. Looks a tad underrated.

Improved for soft ground around this time last year. She gets her ground for the first time this season and is worth an each-way bet at the price.

Lady of Spain is unbeaten in four starts and was last seen cantering clear in the Listed Prix Petit Etoile over 1m1f at Deauville. She now returns from a break for Roger Varian with Ray Dawson booked. The stiff Sandown mile looks a neat fit for a filly who settles well, travels, and has strength at the end of her races in spades. While the question mark is if she can find that form on turf, she has the class to make this Group 3 her next rung up.