UK Horse Racing Tips: Sandown

AGENT SHIFTWELL was touched off by a neck over this trip at Yarmouth and rates the one to beat now turned out off the same before before a 2lb rise comes into play. Good Earth has run well in novice and maiden contests recently and could appreciate the return to handicap company, while there could also be a big run on the cards from Crime Of Passion, who was beaten by less than a length off this mark over this trip at Bath latest.
Prediction : 1st Agent Shiftwell 2nd Good Earth 3rd Crime Of Passion

THIRD KINGDOM shaped with plenty of promise when third over 6f on debut at Newcastle and is entitled to improve on that effort now stepped up in trip with the benefit of a run behind him. Forest Falcon should be all the wiser for the experience gained over this trip on debut at Haydock, while any money for newcomers One Ruler, Impulsive One and Thunder Sun would be very interesting.
Prediction : 1st Third Kingdom 2nd Thunder Sun 3rd Forest Falcon

DERDAS has improved with each outing to date and if he builds on his Haydock second last time and runs to his official rating of 86 he should take all of the beating. American Entente is expected to step up on a promising introduction over this trip at Salisbury and is feared most, though big runs from Shouldering, who has Ryan Moore booked, and William Haggas' newcomer Ajyaall would also come as no surprise.
Prediction : 1st Derdas 2nd American Entente 3rd Shouldering

In an open race the marginal preference is for IRISH TWEED, who got off the mark in a novice contest at Lingfield late last month. An opening mark of 70 appears to be fair and Andrew Balding's filly remains open to further improvement. Lethal Talent should be in the mix if transferring her recent all-weather form to the turf, while Claudius Secundus and Gypsy Whisper complete the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Irish Tweed 2nd Lethal Talent 3rd Claudius Secundus

FULL INTENTION returned to winning ways at Chelmsford earlier in the month and the son of Showcasing sets the standard, having been raised just 2lb for that victory. Blame Culture chased home the selection on that occasion and could do so once again. That said, Conscious has shown promise in novice/maiden company and he merits consideration on his handicap debut off what appears to be a workable mark.
Prediction : 1st Full Intention 2nd Blame Culture 3rd Conscious

Arthurian Fable has run well in some very competitive handicaps this year and Brian Meehan's colt should be in the mix once again. That said, the one who stands out is INDIGO LAKE, who beat a very well-handicapped rival at Doncaster two starts ago. The son of Frankel appeared to be a very unlucky loser when denied a clear run at Haydock on his most recent outing. Had he got out in time and won that day then he would have been put up by a lot more than 1lb, while he may also improve for this step up in trip. All of the rest have claims but Postileo and Stag Horn are the pick of them.
Prediction : 1st Indigo Lake 2nd Arthurian Fable 3rd Postileo

The handicapper hasn't caught up with SONGKRAN yet and George Boughey's charge could go in again here despite the inconvenience of carrying a 5lb penalty. The four-year-old seems to handle varying surfaces, and can claim a fourth victory on the bounce. Agent Basterfield showed a bit of promise as a three-year-old for Andrew Balding and is interesting dropped in trip ahead of this reappearance, while Snow Ocean takes a slight drop in class and should appreciate a likely strong pace.
Prediction : 1st Songkran 2nd Agent Basterfield 3rd Snow Ocean

Rock Of Fame has had a few chances now to get off the mark and a 6lb rise for finishing second at Bath three weeks ago won't have done much to lighten Roger Varian's mood. Walkonby wasn't suited by a tactical three-runner affair at Newmarket last month and could do better now, but the eye is drawn to TAO TE CHING, who has shaped nicely on two all-weather starts. A mark of 75 on handicap debut appears fair, and the switch to turf in first-time cheekpieces could spark additional improvement.
Prediction : 1st Tao Te Ching 2nd Rock Of Fame 3rd Walkonby