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Rock d'Oro stands out at Sandown

Written by Press Association | Sep 17, 2024 11:54:30 AM

Rock d'Oro can get off the mark for Ralph Beckett and David Egan at Sandown on Wednesday in the Walton Novice Stakes.

The colt, who is owned by Amo Racing, started his career on the all-weather at Chelmsford in late August and was only narrowly beaten when second over 1400m to George Scott's Bay City Roller.

For the latter horse, it was a second career victory, and he is now unbeaten in three starts after taking the Group Two Champagne Stakes at Doncaster's St Leger meeting.

That seems as sure a sign as any that Rock d'Oro is one to get behind when he is seen for the first time since their meeting.

At Beverley, Kevin Ryan's American Style can score in the Hatfields Range Rover Sport SV One Performance EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes.

The chestnut has been second three times this season and was last seen finishing 13th of 20 in the highly competitive Premier Yearling Stakes at York.

Those were deep waters, however, and this is an easier affair which looks a good spot for him to claim a first success.

Karl Burke's Sands Of Indi appeals in the Hatfields Range Rover Sport Phev Bik Beater EBF Fillies' Restricted Novice Stakes.

The chestnut has been seen twice so far, finishing runner-up on debut at Pontefract and then second again by just a neck next time out on the all-weather at Newcastle.

That Pontefract race may well prove to be a decent enough test and the filly surely has a win up her sleeve before long.

Dash Of Azure is one to watch in the British EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes at Yarmouth for Beckett and Rob Hornby.

The daughter of Blue Point, who is a half-sister to Andrew Balding's Group Three winner Dashing Willoughby, runs in the silks of owners Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy.

She made her debut in a Newmarket novice in early August and was the runner-up, comprehensively beaten by Godolphin's Desert Flower in a field of six.

That 6.5-length defeat was clearly by no small margin but Desert Flower went next to the Group Two May Hill at Doncaster and was a comfortable victor there, boosting the form and reflecting well on Dash Of Azure.

On the same card, Nightwalker catches the eye in the EBF Future Stayers Maiden Stakes for the top team of Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore.

The Frankel colt, owned and bred by Juddmonte, made his debut at Leicester in August and came home third behind Beckett's Matauri Bay when beaten 2.75-lengths.

That winner has since been narrowly denied in the Solario Stakes, while the runner-up Shah has not fared badly himself with two more second-placed runs - pointing to plenty more to come from Nightwalker. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings on Wednesday. Here are the tips.

BEVERLEY: Race 1: 14.40 Have You A Minute, Race 2: 15.10 American Style, Race 3: 15.40 Beaujolais Nouveau, Race 4: 16.15 Sands Of Indi, Race 5: 16.45 Kalahari Blue, Race 6: 17.18 Rock Of England, Race 7: 17.53 Fox Avatar, Race 8: 18.28 Inappropriate.

SANDOWN: Race 1: 14.50 Safari Dream, Race 2: 15.20 Wild Nature, Race 3: 15.50 ROCK D'ORO (NAP), Race 4: 16.23 Skellet, Race 5: 16.55 Windcrack, Race 6: 17.25 Give It To Me Oj, Race 7: 18.00 Questionable.

YARMOUTH: Race 1: 15.00 Alpine Girl, Race 2: 15.30 Dash Of Azure, Race 3: 16.00 Nightwalker, Race 4: 16.30 Karmology, Race 5: 17.05 Arctic Mountain, Race 6: 17.40 Orchard Keeper, Race 7: 18.15 Mart.

KELSO: Race 1: 17.30 Intense Approach, Race 2: 18.05 The Churchill Lad, Race 3: 18.35 The King Of May, Race 4: 19.05 Heart Above, Race 5: 19.35 Mint Gold, Race 6: 20.05 Blackwater Lilly.

ALL TO COME: American Style (Beverley, Race 2) and Rock d'Oro (Sandown, Race 3).