OH THIS IS US, a tremendous servant to Richard Hannon's team in recent seasons, is taken to bounce back from two below-par efforts and repeat last year's win in the Sportpesa Handicap at Chester on Saturday.
The six-year-old is down 3lb in the handicap compared to 12 months ago and proved his liking for this tricky course when chasing home the progressive Beauty Filly in a Listed race here in mid-July having won on both his previous visits.
Excuses can be made for his last two runs: Oh This Is Us wasn't beaten far when fifth over a mile (Listed) at Pontefract in a race in which the first two home dominated from the front, and then had no luck at all in a handicap at Goodwood off this mark where he was stopped in his tracks up the rail.
That run can be disregarded and, while luck is always needed at Chester, this race (as last year) may prove a perfect fit for a horse who hit a rating of 113 - compared to 105 now - just three months ago and has consistently run well in better company.
At Sandown, the clash between Positive and Al Suhail in the Betway Solario Stakes (a race won by Masar and Too Darn Hot in the last two years) could be something to savour as both look highly promising juveniles.
However, it doesn't look a betting race and I will seek some value in two other contests, firstly with SOLAR GOLD in the Betway Atalanta Stakes.
On the face of it, William Haggas's filly is held by likely favourite Jubiloso on their running behind Billesdon Brook in the Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood four weeks ago, but Tom Marquand's mount had a horrible draw that day on the wide outside and could never land a blow.
Jubiloso also had excuses being denied a clear run until staying on steadily suggesting that a return to a mile, over which she had previously run third in the Coronation Stakes at Ascot, will suit her.
So too Solar Gold who looked to be crying out for some extra ground (she is a half sister to the smart miler Havana Gold) in her previous two starts over seven furlongs when third to the aforementioned Billesdon Brook at Chelmsford (had to wait too long to get a run) and then when second to the in-form Vale Of Kent in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket in which she had nothing to race with in the closing stages.
Yes, Jubiloso could be hard to beat but I thought she might have picked up quicker when into the clear at Goodwood and Solar Gold looks an attractive alternative at much bigger odds.
A good price is also likely about MY BOY SEPOY in the Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap.
This is a very different task for the Stuart Williams-trained four-year-old compared to his course and distance win under 10st 13lb in a class 4 amateurs' handicap last time as he carries just 8st 2lb bottom weight in this class 2 contest.
Against the progressive three-year-olds Migration and Country, it could be a jump too high but My Boy Sepoy also won over this course and distance back in May and a 4lb rise for that latest success looks reasonable.
For whatever reason over the years, Sandown has often been a specialists track and Luke Morris's mount is fancied to go well again here.
Posted at 1655 BST on 30/08/19
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