425 Sandown Saturday Betfred.com Nursery

                                                             Betfred.com Nursery Handicap


Interesting field of eight juveniles go to post in a nursery which has been won by subsequent group winners I'm Spartacus, Indian Days and Law Enforcement in the past decade

Lilyfire- First Defence filly ridden by James Doyle for his new boss and his old boss. A winner of her only start at Ascot in a warm maiden when quickening up smartly to win from the well regarded Psychometry. Winners have already come from the race and those who filled the places that day have ran well without winning. A mark of 80 looks generous and must have a fine chance of remaining unbeaten here

Smart Salute- Royal Applause colt from the Ed Walker stable who ran into the useful Nezar on debut when going down by a head to that rival. Didn't have to improve to break the maiden next time and has been allocated a mark of 79 on the back of that performance. Looks well treated off that mark as Nezar is now rated 96 and has to be a contender for his top class handler

Hunters Creek- Well bred colt, 1/2 brother to Moyglare winner Chelsea Rose and other winners, who ran a good race on debut before being collared close home by Stagemanship. That one has been well beaten since and is rated 75 so he will have to improve to take this off of 79. Was a weak enough race he won at Lingfield on his last start and may have been found a tough race here. Opposable in this field

The Alamo- Slow burner of a colt who got his first win on his third start last time. Ran well on debut behind Zeshov before going to Epsom as a short priced favourite on second start, where he got a shocking ride from the champ eventually finishing a well beaten third. Made no mistake last time on home ground at Windsor but his mark of 78 looks harsh enough in relation to others in the field

Officer Drivel- Luke Dace colt who improved last time when runner up to the potentially decent Tea Leaf at Lingfield. Very likely to prove flattered by his proximity to the winner in time and his trainer is still looking for his first juvenile winner. Very unlikely it will be coming here

Gown- Charles Hills filly who showed promise on debut when chasing home the useful Ligeia, however has failed to replicate that level of form on her two runs since. Even with Ryan Moore taking over today unlikely to be good enough

Miapladicus- Richard Fahey colt whose last two runs offer some hope that he is capable of defying a mark of 68. However likely there are horses with more in hand than him towards the top of the weights. Each way possibilities but unlikely to be good enough for win purposes

Needless Shouting- Cheaply bought colt who has ran solid races without looking like winning in his four runs to date. Comes here having finished third to What About Carlo last time and even carrying bottom weight will do well to match that finishing position in this field

Verdict- Quality looking nursery with the top two in the weights appearing to hold the most pressing claims. Lilyfire is potentially very smart and was a rare debut winner for a trainer who preaches patience with his juveniles and she is the selection. Smart Salute is the danger having bumped into a good one on debut before comfortably breaking the maiden on second start. His trainer is having a productive time with his two year old's this season operating at a 26% strike rate and he needs respecting. Miapladicus can prove best of the rest with Hunters Creek another candidate for third place

1 Lilyfire
2 Smart Salute
3 Miapladicus