Take Pride at Sandown

LONDON: Weavers Pride can successfully make the big step up in class from a Doncaster maiden to a Group Three event by winning today’s Sandown Park Classic Trial.

The Barry Hills-trained Barathea colt created a good impression on his seasonal debut at the South Yorkshire course when sweeping through on the outside to easily dispose of Liffey by a length and a quarter. Not only is Weavers Pride taking a rise in grade but he is also hiking up in distance to a mile and a quarter. His pedigree suggests he is not guaranteed to stay but his style of running gives him every chance - and it is one worth taking in this ?60,000 event.

Roger Charlton named the Premier Lodge Highly Rated Stakes (Handicap) as the target for Move It following his impressive win at Windsor three weeks ago. The son of Cadeaux Genereux won as an odds-on shot should, giving his supporters no worries as he landed a 19-runner handicap by two lengths from Bonus. Although he is stepping down a furlong to the minimum trip it is of little concern due to the stiff finish at the Esher course and the fact that he opened his account for the season over five furlongs at Bath. He gets a confident nap vote. Two jump races open an attractive mixed card with Copeland taken to repeat last year’s victory in the Concept Hurdle.

Martin Pipe’s charge has had a light and unsuccessful time since short-heading Intersky Falcon in this race 12 months ago. But he was in the process of running a tremendous race in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle when falling at the third last. It looked as though he was going to be placed in the race won convincingly by Rooster Booster. And Montreal can initiate a double for the champion trainer in the opening Bet attheraces 0800 083 83 83 Chase.

SELECTIONS:
SANDOWN: 1.15 Montreal, 1.45 Copeland, 2.20 Grand Passion, 2.55 Weavers Pride, 3.30 Lord York, 4.05 Commission, 4.40 MOVE IT (NAP).
WOLVERHAMPTON: 1.55 Best Flight, 2.30 Tree Roofer, 3.05 Nite-Owl Fizz, 3.40 Champagne Rider, 4.15 Favorisio, 4.50 Relative Hero.
PERTH: 2.05 Kymani Prince, 2.40 Fiori, 3.15 Great Crusader, 3.50 Mr Baxter Basics, 4.25 Tribal Dispute, 5.00 Torduff Express, 5.35 Moonzie Laird.
DOUBLE: Move It and Weavers Pride.