Charlie Appleby filly La Pelosa has star appeal at Sandown
– La Pelosa had no luck in her most recent outing but can get back on the winning track in the Star Stakes at Sandown today.
Charlie Appleby’s filly was one of the main victims of the rough finish to the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket earlier this month, suffering inference that put paid to chances of making the frame.
La Pelosa would not have beaten impressive winner Pretty Pollyanna, but the manner in which she was staying on made a place look likely.
She similarly showed decent reserves when beaten just a neck in the Albany Stakes, so perhaps this is the opportune moment to try 1400m for the first time.
London
This Listed affair is also less taxing on paper than the Newmarket assignment and should give La Pelosa a fine chance of a confidence-booster ahead of bigger targets later in the campaign.
Mt Augustus can defy a 3.5kg hike in the ratings in the Sri Lanka The Wonder Of Asia Handicap.
Henry Candy’s charge earned a hefty rise with a six-length victory last month, finishing with a flourish to run out a comfortable winner. He looks more than capable of kicking on from this point.
Legends Of War disappointed at the July meeting but can go on a successful retrieval mission in the Compton Beauchamp Novice Stakes at Newbury.
He looked the real deal when winning by four lengths on debut at Yarmouth, but John Gosden’s plans to run at Royal Ascot were scuppered by a minor setback.
The July Stakes looked an ideal opportunity for swift consolation, but he fell well short when upped in company and eventually trailed home in sixth. It is far too early to abandon this 900,000-guineas breeze-up purchase, though.
Tahreek can add to his tally in the Newbury Handicap.
He made quite a splash when winning on his handicap bow at Nottingham and a 3kg rise may not be enough to stop Sir Michael Stoute’s charge.
L’Explora can enhance her paddock value with victory in the Grosvenor Casino Of Great Yarmouth Fillies’ Novice Stakes at the seaside venue.
A daughter of War Front out of Group One winner Damson, L’Explora certainly has the pedigree to be winning at a higher level than this.
Unplaced on her only juvenile start, she made a bright, if belated, start to this year when second
Sandown (UK) Thursday Race 1: 14.50
at Windsor recently. She will progress for the experience and Roger Charlton has found a good slot for her.
Hope Is High won three on the bounce at the end of last year but has struggled this term. She has slid down to a perch of 73 and that could be workable in the Summer Festival Handicap at Doncaster. –