New Oxford looks streets ahead at Sandown

By Nick Robson, Press Association

New Oxford looked a cast-iron improver on his debut last month and should return to Sandown for the Chasemore Farm EBF Maiden Stakes a much sharper model on Friday.

Harry Charlton’s son of New Bay ran in what subsequently became quite an infamous race when Rossa Ryan was caught on the line on Thunder Home by Zero Error and banned for quite some time, albeit reduced on appeal.

Away from the front two, though, New Oxford only got the hang of things late on and flashed home into fourth having been caught flat footed two furlongs out.

He is back over the same course and distance and while in time he looks sure to be suited by a step up in trip, it was more greenness than a lack of gears which caught him out and he should be mentally sharper for his first run.

Thunder Home is actually in opposition again, but he is surely unlikely to be afforded such an easy lead this time and as this is his fourth run, New Oxford can improve past him.

Jack Channon’s Innichen drops markedly in class for the Killik Nursery Handicap.

Having won at Nottingham and run with great credit in a valuable nursery at Goodwood, he appeared to be still improving but was set a mighty task at York in the sales race won by Sun Goddess.

He was beaten a long way there but once it was obvious he would not be involved in the finish, Tom Marquand allowed him to coast home.

He will be more at home in this company and with William Buick in the saddle, a big run is expected.

Good Earth may be nine but continues to run with credit and may just about be down to a winnable mark in the Killik Handicap.

Michael Herrington’s veteran last won off 68 at Haydock in April and was second off 73 at Newmarket in June.

He is back down to 70 here and has won at Sandown before.

Roger Varian’s Wootz justified odds-on favouritism on his debut and unless one of the newcomers in the Work Matters Novice Stakes at Thirsk are way above average he should follow up.

A very impressive winner at Ffos Las, it is unlikely the 7lb penalty will be enough to stop him.

Varian also sends Anyasi on the journey north and he has impressed twice, at Yarmouth and Leicester.

He has been handed an opening mark of 90 ahead of the Ivegate Building Handicap and it is a good time of the year for three-year-olds to take on their elders with the age allowance.

He’s A Monster was last seen winning at Deauville for Hamad Al Jehani and despite a year off the track, still catches the eye in the Frameclad Handicap with the yard in such good form.

At Goodwood William Haggas’ Kissmehoneyhoney can defy top-weight in the Virgin Bet A Good Bet Fillies’ Handicap.

The step up to a mile should suit Ralph Beckett’s Zupa Trupa in the Dandara Homes Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Ffos Las.

Fourth of nine on her debut on the all-weather, this half-sister to several winners looks a guaranteed improver over a mile.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 6 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

FFOS LAS: Race 1: 15.00 Forever Glamorous, Race 2: 15.35 Mountain Of Light, Race 3: 16.10 Zupa Trupa, Race 4: 16.45 Launceston, Race 5: 17.20 Grindleton, Race 6: 17.55 Raintown.

THIRSK: Race 1: 15.13 Tees George, Race 2: 15.48 Wootz, Race 3: 16.25 Meccapulco, Race 4: 17.00 Anyasi, Race 5: 17.38 He’s A Monster, Race 6: 18.13 Hamadhan.

SANDOWN: Race 1: 15.25 Innichen, Race 2: 16.00 Good Earth, Race 3: 16.35 NEW OXFOR (NAP), Race 4: 17.10 Thursday Girl, Race 5: 17.45 Poets Praise, Race 6: 18.20 Oh Yes You Do.

FONTWELL: Race 1: 17.05 Kom Tu Voudras, Race 2: 17.40 Salkadan, Race 3: 18.15 Delgany Second Now, Race 4: 18.50 Youdecide, Race 5: 19.25 Steal A Glance, Race 6: 20.00 She Is For Me Boys, Race 7: 20.33 Charlie My Boy.

SEDGEFIELD: Race 1: 17.25 Genealogy, Race 2: 18.00 Yanka Blue, Race 3: 18.32 Thank You Blue, Race 4: 19.05 Machete Beach, Race 5: 19.40 Maggies Boy, Race 6: 20.15 Aimeric, Race 7: 20.50 You Be Lucky Jean.

GOODWOOD: Race 1: 17.35 Motown Filly, Race 2: 18.10 Shady Boy, Race 3: 18.45 Kissmehoneyhoney, Race 4: 19.20 Rogue Bullet, Race 5: 19.55 Veil Of Clouds, Race 6: 20.28 Beach Point.

ALL TO COME: New Oxford (Sandown, Race 3) and Anyasi (Thirsk, Race 4).
For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab.co.za