Right Approach, who is widely tipped to play a starring role during his owner the Queen's Jubilee year, makes his eagerly-awaited reappearance at Sandown tomorrow, writes Tom O'Ryan.
The three-year-old colt, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, lines up for the Heathorns Classic Trial in a bid to advertise his claims on Epsom's Vodafone Derby in June.
Right Approach made a winning debut at Newbury last season when beating Mamool by a neck. He was involved in another close finish on his only other juvenile outing when beaten a short-head by Expected Bonus at Kempton.
A son of Machiavellian, Right Approach should relish this step up to ten furlongs and, in due course, the Derby distance of a mile-and-a-half. Johnny Murtagh takes the mount in what promises to prove a most informative race.
Channel 4 will be televising four live races at Sandown, the other three all being jumping events, highlighted by the £30,000 attheraces.co.uk Handicap Chase.
Preference here is for the Nicky Henderson-trained Demasta, winner of three of his four races over fences, including at Cheltenham last week when he won well on his first outing for nine months.
There is always the chance he will find two quick races after such a lengthy absence more than he can handle. But he makes plenty of appeal under a 5lb penalty and with Tony McCoy in the saddle.
Intersky Falcon won with such authority at Aintree on his latest start that it would be no surprise to see him follow-up out of handicap company in the £60,000 Masai Hurdle. Liam Cooper again has the mount on Jonjo O'Neill's gelding.
Maximise, probably below his best when only sixth in the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Chase at Cheltenham last month, should not be overlooked in the opening 02 Novices' Chase, having won his previous two races in style.
The nap goes to Pillaging Pict in the Tote Placepot Novices' Handicap Chase at Perth. Brian Storey's mount should follow up his recent Carlisle win over a trip which suits him perfectly.
Tomorrow's tips:
Sandown: 1-45 Maximise, 2-15 Intersky Falcon, 2-50 Demasta, 3-25 Right Approach, 4-00 Nayyel, 4-35 Historic Treble, 5-10 High Finale.
Perth: 2-05 Going Native, 2-35 Pillaging Pict (NAP), 3-10 Haikal; 3-45 Paperising 4-20 Only You, 4-55 Kadarann, 5-25 Roman Ark.
Updated: 12:52 Thursday, April 25, 2002
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