Sandown Tips: Tom Collins believes The Queen will be celebrating on Saturday
Tom Collins
19 August 2022
2.40 Sandown, 7f Group 3 Solario Stakes
A four-length victory for Reach For The Moon in the Group 3 Solario Stakes last year led us to believe that The Queen might have a real superstar on her hands. Unfortunately, things haven’t panned out quite as expected for that horse since and Her Majesty still seeks a new once-in-a-lifetime talent for her breeding operation.
Perhaps Desert Hero is the answer. This beautifully-bred son of Sea The Stars attracted a fair amount of late support ahead of his debut at Haydock in late June, and justified the market confidence with a surging late run to beat two experienced rivals. The form isn’t amazing, although the runner-up has won since, but the manner in which he put that race to bed left me wanting more.
William Haggas doesn’t enter his horses in races they can’t win, and the immediate step up to Group 3 company peaks my interest. Desert Hero must be considered one of the leading young lights in the yard, and there is a strong chance that we will see big improvement now that he gets to run on good ground. Although he tackles some intriguing opponents, he has the most upside in this contest.
Selection: Desert Hero @ 3.4
3.50 Sandown, 1m2f Kensington Gates Handicap
The round course at Sandown generally suits forwardly-placed horses, but in bigger-field handicaps like this they tend to get racing far too soon. A strong pace is expected with Victory Chime in the field and that could put extra emphasis on stamina.
As a result, it’s hard to look away from Ajero. Kim Bailey’s seven-year-old performed to a high level over hurdles last year and was considered good enough to run in the 2m Grade 1 event at Aintree, where he finished seventh of 10.
You would usually expect hurdling recruits to lack pace as they return to the flat, but Ajero is a completely different proposition. He was beaten just half-a-length by the 90-rated Nathanael Greene on his flat debut, before running the now 113-rated Francesco Clemente close over this course and distance on his next outing.
A runner-up finish at Royal Ascot before plundering a huge Goodwood handicap followed, and he remains well treated off a mark of 98. From a good draw in stall two, expect him to rattle home late under the brilliant James Doyle.
Selection: Ajero @ 6.8
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Tom Collins
19 August 2022
