Who To Follow At Sandown On Thursday - 25/05/23

James Mackie | @JMackieRacing

Tue 23 May 2023 14.39

Sandown 17:42

1(2)

Blue Storm

J: Neil Callan

T: James Tate

N/A

Age: 2

Weight: 9-5

OR: N/A

Days: 37

The first big race of the afternoon is the Listed National Stakes over 5f and we can't get away from the form of Blue Storm's win on debut.

A well bred son of Blue Point who has made a lovely start to his sire career, Blue Storm went went on to win well at Newmarket in a Novice Stakes over 5f.

The horses in behind him that day included Cuban Thunder, Hackman, Flag Of St George and Yorkshire Terrier who has since gone on to win.

Taking on Hackman again we don't think he can reverse the form and with Blue Storm sure to take another step forward he looks the one to be on.

Form: 1View

Date	Course	Distance	Type	Weight	Position
30/10/23	NCS	5	St	9-8	4
18/10/23	BAT	5	Hy	9-11	3
24/09/23	HAM	5	GS	9-11	3
25/05/23	SAN	5	Gd	9-5	6
18/04/23	NMK	5	GS	9-4	1

Legendary trainer Sir Michael Stoute is known for doing notoriously well at this meeting and he sends some nice horses to the Esher track on Thursday.

His first big runner of the afternoon comes in the Group Three Brigadier Gerard Stakes with Epsom Derby winner Desert Crown back as a four year old and with the handler winning four of the last five renewals of this race, this horse has a leading chance and also in the race he fields Solid Stone.

In the Class 3 Whitsun Cup Handicap Assessment could be well handicapped off a mark of 91 and if not playing up at the start is a shoe in to run well. Also in the race is Aerion Power who is a very nice horse on his day but will have to defy top weight.

The trainer heads into the meeting currently running at a strike rate of 20% for the last two weeks, managing to land three winners from his last 15 runners.

Richard Kingscote has managed to pick up a nice book of rides on Thursday at Sandown, starting in the opener with Glory Nights for Mark Loughnane.

Kingscote then teams up with William Haggas with Roberto Escobarr who has now had his first run of the season and returning to tough should improve for that first run.

His big ride of the afternoon comes on the Derby winner Desert Crown who he rode to victory at Epsom last season and in the Dante Stakes.

The experienced rider then rides Aerion Power in the Whitson Cup Handicap with the top weight sure to get back on track on better ground.

Finally, Kingscote rides for trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy on Star Player who is largely consistent and certainly has place claims.