13:15 Risk Of Thunder
Risk Of Thunder shaped much better than the bare result suggests when fifth at Newmarket on debut, losing five places late on in a tight finish, and she built on the promise of that run when showing much improved form to get off the mark in good style at Ripon last month. She is clearly entitled to a crack at this higher grade, and in receipt of the sex allowance, she makes plenty of appeal for the in-form James Tate yard.
13:50 Liberty Beach
Liberty Beach certainly enjoyed a productive juvenile campaign, winning four of her six starts, including a listed race over this course and distance, and she returned in even better form this year, taking a listed race at Haydock on her return before an excellent third in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot last month.
She confirmed herself a smart filly on that occasion, and with the strong forecasted pace here likely to play right into her hands, she is hard to dismiss in an excellent-looking renewal of this Group 3.
14:25 Cross Counter
A Melbourne Cup winner in 2018, Cross Counter boasts a very consistent overall record, hardly beaten far in all four of his starts at the highest level in Britain last season, and though he produced a rare below-par effort in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot last month, he appeals as the type to bounce back quickly from that, and should he do so, he will prove difficult to hold out.
15.00 Montatham
Montatham was a dual winner of novice events last year and took his form to a new level when winning in style at Newmarket on his return, making short work of his rivals in the manner of one to follow.
He was beaten only by Dark Vision in the Royal Hunt Cup subsequently, edging ahead entering the final furlong before being headed 100 yards from home, but he meets his reopposing rival on 3 lb better terms here, and with further progress in the pipeline, he gets the vote to reverse the placings.
15:35 Enable
A true superstar of a mare, Enable won each of her first 10 starts in Group 1 company, including this in 2019, and had her unbeaten run ended only when collared late on in her bid to land a record-breaking Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last autumn.
Losing little caste in defeat on that occasion, she remains the one to beat here, and though Ghaiyyath is a top-class performer in his own right, he is likely to find John Gosden’s outstanding mare too good on her return to action.
16:05 Global Giant
A dual winner for Ed Dunlop, including a listed race at Dundalk back in 2018, Global Giant made a sparkling debut for John Gosden when landing the odds in a four-runner conditions event at Wolverhampton in January, sprinting clear from off a steady pace.
He had already shown smart form for Dunlop, but has to be viewed as open to progress given the power of his new yard, and provided he is ready to roll following a break, he rates a big player on his return.
16:35 Tulip Fields
Tulip Fields has returned a much improved filly this season, appreciating the step up in trip when getting off the mark at Goodwood last month and, up in trip again, made the most of a good opportunity to follow up at Newmarket 16 days ago. She is clearly in good form at present and will taking all the beating as she bids for the hat-trick.
17:10 What An Angel
What An Angel took his form to a fairly useful level when runner-up on his return to action at Bath on Thursday, settling better than has been the case in the past and making the odds-on favourite pull out all the stops, going down only in the final strides.
He remains capable of better still, and with apprentice jockey Thore Hammer Hansen taking a handy 5 lb off his back, a bold showing is clearly expected.
Timeform’s tips for Sandown on Sunday
13:15 Risk Of Thunder
13:50 Liberty Beach
14:25 Cross Counter
15.00 Montatham
15:35 Enable
16:05 Global Giant
16:35 Tulip Fields
17:10 What An Angel
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Grab racing previews from the UK, Ireland and the rest of the globe here
- Placing bets is easier than ever with Paddy Power News’ live odds banners
- Horse Racing tips: Paul Jacobs’ value plays for a huge racing weekend