These three beaten horses caught the eye at Sandown and are worth following through the season
THE Flat season is starting to kick into gear and there were some potential stars on show at Sandown Park on Friday.
Arabian Crown booked his ticket to the Derby and Charyn impressed in the Group 2 bet365 Mile, but there were several eye-catchers elsewhere on the card.
None more so than MACDUFF, who ran a hugely encouraging race in the Classic Trial behind Arabian Crown.
He would have preferred a stronger gallop and was just briefly caught flat-footed in the straight as the eventual winner quickened away.
But he stayed on powerfully to grab second spot and this was a decent warm-up for a potential crack at the Derby on June 1.
Trainer Ralph Beckett was as pleased as punch and can see his horse having a big season, especially when he gets some faster ground.
OFFERS OF THE DAY
Betfred: Get £50 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
BetMGM: Get £60 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Tote: Get £30 in free bets + 50 free spins – CLAIM HERE
William Hill: Get £40 in free bets (mobile only) – CLAIM HERE
Betfred: *New customers only. 09:00 on 08/03/24 – 17:30 on 15/03/24. Register with CHELT50. First bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports which settles before 23:59 on 15/03/24. Free Bets: £20 Horse Racing, £20 Football Acca & 50 x £0.20 (£10) Free Spins on Fishin’ Frenzy within 10 hours. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply. Full T&Cs apply.
BetMGM: New customers only. 7 days to place a qualifying bet to receive 6 x Free Bets: 4 x £10 Horse racing, 2 x £10 Acca Free Bets. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org
Tote: New customers online only. £10 min stake (if EW then min £10 Win + £10 Place). Receive £30 Tote Credit + 50 Free Spins on selected game within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. Tote credit subject to 7-day expiry. Free spins subject to 7-day expiry. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool bet added to the bet-slip. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply.
William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. When you sign-up via Mobile using promo code P40 and place a bet of £10 or more we will give you 4x £10 free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. begambleaware.org
MIAHARRIS went into the notebook after finishing fourth in the opening five-furlong handicap.
The Owen Burrows-trained filly had some useful form as a two-year-old, winning her first two starts, including a Listed victory at Newbury.
She was unlucky when fifth in the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes when last seen and she was a little hard done by on her reappearance, too.
Jockey William Buick had to settle her at the back of the field from a wide draw, which is always difficult to overcome on the sprint track at Sandown.
She travelled into the race nicely but just had too much ground to make up having been short of room, finishing one and a half lengths behind the winner Equity Law – who himself is Royal Ascot bound.
The daughter of Zoustar is worth sticking in your tracker, and she is likely to head to France for a Group race next time.
And in the fillies’ novice stakes, 28-1 shot CRYSTAL FLYER caught the eye when staying on nicely into fourth.
She was a good third on her debut on the all-weather but took a big step forward here in what looked a hot race on paper.
She was given plenty to do but kept on nicely in the straight. Trainer Tom Ward will win a few races with her.
FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org