SAND & DELIVER
Raising to hit the heights at Ascot
RAISING SAND is fancied to improve on his third of 12 months ago to capture the Challenge Cup (3.35) at Ascot this afternoon.
Jamie Osborne’s six-year-old has yet to hit the target in five tries this year but shouldn’t be written off.
Raising Sand didn’t get the run of the race behind today’s rival Ripp Orf over course and distance in May and at the start of last month, and his eighth to Wissahickon in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket a week ago doesn’t tell the full story.
Nicola Currie’s mount raced in a group of eight down the stands’ side, as the larger assembly of 25 runners held sway.
My selection has edged down the weights this year – he’s now 2lb lower than when claiming the bronze medal in 2017 – and his Ascot form, which includes two successes over a mile, is another plus. Two-time Group 1 winner LIMATO
isn’t the force of old, but has collected at Listed level on his last two outings and should be up to landing the
Group 3
Bengough
Stakes (3.00).
The Group 3
Cumberland
Lodge Stakes (2.25) can go to COMMUNIQUE,
who won his fifth race of the campaign when beating Barsanti for Newmarket’s Listed Godolphin Stakes eight days ago.
He still looks to have his best days ahead of him.
There isn’t a standout candidate for the opening Listed Rous Stakes SPRING (1.50) but preference is for LOADED. LAURENS
(above) has won four times at the top level, and is taken to make it five in the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes (3.15) at Newmarket.
It’s true that Alpha Centauri suffered a career-ending injury when beaten by Karl Burke’s filly in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown three weeks ago, but Laurens’ record is hard to fault and another good account is on the cards. Earlier on the Newmarket card, INDIAN TYGRESS
has more to offer in the fillies’ handicap (2.05). SWISSTERIOUS
The Burke team’s has plenty going for him in Redcar’s Listed Two Year Old Trophy (2.45).