A big Sandown double

22 April 2022

The longer-term value of the Two-Year-Old Guide really came to the fore on the high-class opening day of Sandown’s Flat season.

WESTOVER (R. Beckett)

“He is a tall, sizeable individual who finds things easy, though I don’t imagine we will be galloping him properly until the summer. That said, I can see him doing something at two.” (RB).

The son of Frankel made his 2-y-o debut with victory in a Sandown maiden in August and finished his three-run season with a runner-up effort in Listed company – so he certainly did ‘something at two.’ However, it was clear that his three-year-old campaign was where connections were pointing and interestingly he returned to the scene of his debut success for his seasonal reappearance at Sandown in none other than their Group 3 Classic Trial. Backed from bigger odds into 5/1, he showed a fine attitude to score and looks one who is highly likely to progress significantly this term.

RED VINEYARD (W. Muir and C. Grassick)

“This is a gorgeous colt and although not an early two-year-old I am looking forward to seeing him at some point during the second part of the year.”

As predicted, Red Vineyard appeared pretty late into his juvenile campaign, making a winning debut at 9/2 at Ffos Las before being beaten in Group company on his only other start. Clearly handled with a 3-y-o campaign in mind, he reappeared to land a decent Sandown handicap at no less than 18/1 despite the small field under Tom Marquand, showing that there is surely plenty to come after a mere three career starts to date.

You can buy this year’s edition here

You can buy the 2021 edition here

You can buy the 2020 edition here