ITV Racing Tips: Poet’s Word well-versed for Sandown success

British racing’s premier evening meeting will get the ITV4 treatment on Thursday when Ed Chamberlain and co rock up for the Brigadier Gerard Stakes.  

It’s the first time the Group 3 contest has been screened on terrestrial TV and forms part of a four-race card from Sandown on the channel.

There are also two Listed contests to enjoy and the Group 3 Henry II Stakes, where Weekender is the heavy favourite for trainer John Gosden.

We’ve put our form caps on previewed the night’s action in our ITV Racing Tips…

NAP – Poet’s Word – 8:10, Sandown

Where better to start than the Brigadier Gerard Stakes themselves? Poet’s Word is the overwhelming favourite for the contest and it’s easy to see why.

Sir Michael Stoute’s hopeful landed a similar Group 3 contest last August and has since finished runner-up in three of his four Group 1 attempts.

That includes a handy second to Cracksman last October, while a second-place finish to Hawkbill on his reappearance at Meydan in March also bodes well for the raider.

He’s unbeaten on good-to-firm ground and should be able to get the better of main rival Fabricate for the Queen under the guidance of top jockey Ryan Moore.

NB – Magic Circle – 7:35, Sandown

If Magic Circle shows anything near the sort of form which saw him bolt up by 6l in the Chester Cup a fortnight ago then we could be in for a treat at Sandown.

That was the six-year-old’s first run for new trainer Ian Williams and it was one that was full of promise.

This is a step-up from Chester but it’s one that’s needed if owner Marwan Koukash is serious about taking the gelding to the Melbourne Cup in November.

He looks a strong stayer and even with 2f less to play with here, he should be able to get the job done against opponents including Weekender and Sheikhzayedroad.

Lively Longshot – Gabr – 7:05, Sandown

Without Parole may be the overwhelming favourite for the Heron Stakes, but we think there’s a solid case to be made for Gabr, who runs for Sir Michael Stoute.

The colt is making his reappearance for the yard after an impressive maiden season which culminated in a none-too-shabby fifth to Saxon Warrior in the Racing Post Trophy.

That form stands up pretty well in the face of his opponents, who though promising, are facing a significant step-up in class.

Gabr has the benefit of a Group 1 run under his belt and can mount a serious challenge on each-way terms over the 1m distance.

ITV Racing Tips:

6:35 Sandown – Blown By Wind

7:05 Sandown – Gabr (Lively Longshot, EW)    

7:35 Sandown – Magic Circle (NB)

8:10 Sandown – Poet’s Word (NAP)

All Odds and Markets correct as of date and publication