UK Horse Racing Tips: Sandown

In a wide-open event, marginal preference is for HEDGE FUND, who bumped into a very well-handicapped rival when filling second place on his return to action at Bath. Given the winner of that contest has subsequently scored at Listed level, this son of Profitable merits plenty of respect off the same mark. Rogue Enforcer progressed well as a juvenile and may have more improvement left to come, while Serried Ranks has serious claims based on the pick of his form. Others to note include Dark Vintage, Miaharris and Shagraan.
Prediction : 1st Hedge Fund 2nd Rogue Enforcer 3rd Serried Ranks

HAND OF GOD improved with each start as a juvenile and was last seen getting off the mark in impressive fashion at Newmarket in October. An opening mark of 88 for the son of Churchill should be workable, especially as his pedigree suggests that he will progress further as a three-year-old. Rocking Tree has won both starts since joining George Boughey and may benefit from the application of first-time cheekpieces. Cases can be made for all of the remainder, but Royal Supremacy and Cracking Gold appear to be the pick of them.
Prediction : 1st Hand Of God 2nd Rocking Tree 3rd Royal Supremacy

Desert Hero merits plenty of respect on his return to action having filled third place in the St Leger on his most recent outing. That said, this trip may be on the sharp side for him and preference is for OKEECHOBEE, who chased home a high-class rival on his return from a 550-day break in a Listed event at Kempton. With the benefit of that outing, Harry Charlton's unexposed gelding could go one place better. Israr and Flying Honours both have the ability to go well but also have some questions to answer, while Checkandchallenge should not be underestimated.
Prediction : 1st Okeechobee 2nd Desert Hero 3rd Flying Honours

A progressive sort towards the end of last season with three victories in four starts, including a Group 2 at Longchamp, POKER FACE could be just the type to excel at five. The son of Fastnet Rock has run well here before and is narrowly preferred to Nostrum, who didn't quite hit the heights expected of him in 2023 but is of interest for a master trainer who is an expert with older horses. Charyn impressed on his return at Doncaster but may prefer softer ground, while Flight Plan has ground to find with the selection but was a taking winner at Leopardstown last September.
Prediction : 1st Poker Face 2nd Nostrum 3rd Charyn

Already a best-priced 12/1 for the Derby, ARABIAN CROWN can take this en route, having ended last season with an impressive success over this distance in the Zetland Stakes at Newmarket. Three from four as a two-year-old, the son of Dubawi should have too much for Macduff, who gave every indication he would relish a step up in trip when staying on for fourth in the Royal Lodge. Similar comments may apply to the unexposed War Rooms, while recent Naas second Portland will attempt to provide Aidan O'Brien with just his second victory in this event.
Prediction : 1st Arabian Crown 2nd Macduff 3rd War Rooms

Secret Satire took a big leap forward from her introduction to score by just over a length at Lingfield in October but she does have a 6lb penalty to carry, which makes life a lot tougher. With that in mind, BEELEY looks the way to go. John & Thady Gosden's filly was denied by the smallest of margins over an extended mile at Nottingham and although withdrawn at the start twice since, she appears a smart prospect. De Ville cost 625,000gns and could improve on her Wolverhampton fourth.
Prediction : 1st Beeley 2nd Secret Satire 3rd De Ville

Queen Of Atlantis is seeking the four-timer after getting the job done by a nose at Lingfield in January, but she will need to prove she is as effective back on turf. For that reason, a chance can be taken on GOODWOOD ODYSSEY, who was beaten a length by a potentially nice type over a mile at Kempton and now makes his handicap debut, with the step up in trip another possible source of improvement. Offer And Receive warrants a market check on his return after being gelded.
Prediction : 1st Goodwood Odyssey 2nd Queen Of Atlantis 3rd Offer And Receive