Sandown - Brigadier Gerard Stakes

Set to be a competitive renewal of this race, Godolphin run three, with Unbeaten OMBUDSMAN, Buicks choice of MILITARY ORDER and the second highest rated in the race ANCIENT WISDOM.

MILITARY ORDER absolutely bolted up last time after not seeing the track for 379 days! Its turn of foot was immense and proved that it is good at 10f but can stretch to 12f. Buick was satisfied with the win and stated that race was always the plan. The horses he beat were no push overs either with some group winners in there. Only worries would be that it has great all weather form but not much turf form. When looking at its sectional data and its pace data, it makes the win all the more impressive.

Military Order: one-time leading Derby candidate picked up Listed glory at Kempton. Credit: Mark Cranham

MILITARY ORDER is my pick of the race and at 9/2 and e/w play is not a bad idea considering how competitive this race is. Although this is clearly a step up in trip, Buick has the faith and the data and visuals prove it can achieve a race such as this.

Two come into this race as their seasonal reappearance being, ENFJAAR who has jockey Jim Crowley on board who has had some luck in this race but may need the run as this is quite the ask for ENFJAAR's reappearance.

The other who is making its reappearance is OMBUDSMAN, Ryan Moore gets the ride and has had success with this colt before when landing a listed race is France. It comes here fresh and has a lot of hype and excitement around what kind of prospect it may be. However, in its last race it needed to be asked in order to get up to win and still had to learn a lot.

I think it may be behind these who have already got a race under their belt and it may be a big ask to win this first time out. If it doesn't win, you can be sure it wasn't the jockeys fault. I would say that the race after this one, wherever that may be for OMBUDSMAN, is where it will get my attention as with a semi-decent run under its belt I think it'll benefit hugely.

ALMAQAM is fancied for this after its unlucky third last out over course and distance. Both Ed Walker and Tom Marquand seemed to be satisfied with that run and still stated its a proper horse and capable of great success. It could go better here after having that run and does come into the race as the highest rated. I think a faster pace may actually suit it as it showed the engine it has last out. It will definitely be competitive in this race and wouldn't be a surprise to see it win under a great ride from Oisin Murphy.

Summary

A few horses come into this race without a run this season and that could make this task too big of an ask and so may limit their presence in this race unless showing massive improvement and OMBUDSMAN could do that. Those that have had a race can be competitive with the main chances going to ALMAQAM and MILITARY ORDER, the latter being the pick for this race at an e/w angle as, although not having much turf form, I believe its showed enough to prove it can be competitive here and its sectional and pace data from its last race is impressive. ALMAQAM is hoping for more luck than what it had last time and comes back to Sandown to go two better than last out.

Tips:

Main Chance: MILITARY ORDER E/W

Danger: ALMAQAM

Big threat if improved from break: OMBUDSMAN

Agree/Disagree let me know below :)