ITV Racing Tips: Saturday Double for Solario Stakes Day at Sandown

Tamfana, 1pt WIN, 11/10

Despite her odds being short enough, this is an excellent opportunity for the David Menuisier-trained TAMFANA (best price 11/10) to take the drop in grade in her stride after a series of smart efforts in Group 1 company of late.

This filly was unlucky not to collect the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket when fourth and has posted two solid efforts in defeat since, finishing third in the Prix de Diane at Chantilly next time before a fourth-place finish in the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp.

All of her last three efforts have been at the highest level, so she is sure to find the dip into this grade easier. Back on a sounder surface for the first time since her big performance at HQ, she is strongly fancied to stamp her class on this field under Oisin Murphy.

Sean, 1pt WIN, 4/1

The Osborne team could hardly be in better form in recent weeks, with plenty of winners to boot, and both Jamie and Saffie could have another one with the capable SEAN (best price 4/1). 

This seven-year-old has contested four warm races in the UK this year and has caught the eye in each of those, in particular his latest third at Windsor. With a clear run, I’m pretty sure he would have gone close to winning that race.

Nevertheless, the handicapper has left his mark unchanged, and this stiff finish should play to his strengths. In spite of conceding lumps of weight to his opposition, there’s plenty to like about his credentials.

Extra ITV Racing Tips for Saturday 31st August

Accidental Agent, 0.5 pts E/W, 14/1

Eve Johnson Houghton is doubly-represented in the opener, and while stable number one Charles Bishop has seemingly opted for Star Of Orion, I wouldn’t put it past his stablemate ACCIDENTAL AGENT (best price 14/1) rolling back the years at double digits.

This 10-year-old hasn’t won for more than two years, but his last win was gained off a mark of 104, and he’s fallen to a career-low mark of 91, with Mia Nicholls claiming a further 5lb. In truth, he’s extremely well-handicapped nowadays and has his preferred lightning-fast conditions.

The drop in grade will help and a strongly run contest could just be the perfect setup to see him back to something near his best. A Group 1 winner in his prime, it would be foolish to take him for granted in a race he’s capable of landing on a going day.

Emaraaty Ana, 1pt WIN, 7/1

None of the seven runners can be taken lightly in what is a competitive-looking Beverley Bullet, but a chance is taken on the veteran of the party, EMARAATY ANA (best price 7/1).

The Jamie Osborne camp is in extremely good form, and this eight-year-old landed the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock around this time two years ago, which is the best form on offer. 

Additionally, he’s hit the frame multiple times at the highest level, including in two editions of the Nunthorpe Stakes (second in 2021) and (third in 2022), which is again high-quality form. 

Last year he proved that he’s still capable of mixing in quality fields and even bagged himself a Listed success at Ascot. Furthermore, he came close to winning the 2022 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.

With a clutch of positives regarding his chances along with his stable in excellent order, I’m quite hopeful that he will be extremely competitive at the business end of the race. He offers nice value.

Royal Playwright, 1pt WIN, 5/2

In the Solario Stakes, I’m going to take a swing at ROYAL PLAYWRIGHT (best price 5/2), who looked an above-average prospect when making a winning debut at Salisbury and could be hard to beat with more to offer. 

Well backed in the market beforehand on his debut, this well-bred colt travelled well into his race, and once his rider asked him to pick up, the response was immediate and drew clear to score by three lengths.

The runner-up Original Outlaw is a decent horse in his own right, so the winners performance was worthy of an upgrade. This longer trip promises to suit, so he’s fancied to remain unbeaten with bigger targets to await.