Sandown, Friday 24 July 2026 — Evening Card Tips

Sandown, Friday 24 July 2026 — Evening Card Tips

Three handicaps on the Sandown evening card, and there is genuine interest across all of them. With Glorious Goodwood kicking off next Tuesday, yards are trying to get their horses race-fit and sharp, so do not dismiss anything that looks like a prep run. The course stats are clear: David Menuisier and Sir Mark Prescott both punch above their weight here, and Gary Moore’s operation carries a 1.28 A/E at the track. Keep those names in mind as you work through the card.

6:20 — Close Brothers Premium Finance Handicap Stakes (1m6f, 6 runners)

Selection: Personal Best (9/4, BoyleSports)

Jonathan Portman’s four-year-old filly has been a model of consistency without quite getting her head in front, but the figures make a compelling case that she is being underestimated. Our speed figures rate her at 84, a clear five pounds clear of her official mark of 79, and over a trip she has run over before, that gap is the angle. Jockey Jason Watson knows her well and in a small field of six over a staying trip, three seconds, a third and a fourth in her last five starts suggest a horse that nearly always delivers. With the winner’s enclosure potentially just one honest gallop away, 9/4 against a field where nobody tops an 82 on our figures except her feels workable.

Danger: Appier won last time out and is proven at the trip. Tony Carroll’s horses can bounce, but that six-week layoff since the win is a factor to weigh. Laravie’s yard is flying at 13/38 in the last fortnight, but a speed figure of just 74 anchors any expectations.

6:55 — Close Brothers Handicap Stakes (1m2f, 5 runners)

Selection: Hot And Cold (7/4, LiveScore Bet)

Sir Mark Prescott’s Sandown record of 26% winners with a 1.23 A/E is the best of any trainer at this track, and when his yard is sending out a filly that tops the speed figures by nine pounds, you pay attention. Hot And Cold sits at 90 on our figures against an official mark of just 81, a significant gap that handicapper has not yet plugged. Back-to-back wins two and three starts back showed the ability was real, and the solid second last time out confirms there was no fluke in those wins. Fit again after just 13 days, the quick turnaround from Prescott rarely concerns. Luke Morris takes the ride in a field where the market leader, Cyrano De Bergerac, has only three career starts to his name. Hot And Cold is the most proven runner here on adjusted figures.

Danger: Cyrano De Bergerac is trained by John and Thady Gosden (8/19 in the last 14 days), and a progressive three-year-old with a win and two seconds is always dangerous. Luke Catton’s 17% strike rate at this course adds to the case, but 6/5 against a horse nine pounds clear on figures is hard to take.

7:30 — Close Brothers Invoice Finance Handicap Stakes (1m, 6 runners)

Selection: Swiped (10/3, BoyleSports/LiveScore Bet)

Ralph Beckett’s yard is in serious form at 12/43 over the last fortnight, and Swiped arrives on the back of a win that extended a run of second, win, second across four starts. That is the kind of consistency that wins handicaps. The three-year-old sits third on our figures at 83, has course experience at this trip, and Rhys Clutterbuck keeps the ride following that success. The key point is the yard momentum. Beckett does not throw horses into races unless they are ready, and at 10/3, this colt offers better value than the 5/2 favourite Cristo, who is admittedly the form pick but is priced accordingly.

Danger: Cristo tops our figures at 89 and Sean Levey is riding in excellent form for Hannon. A win two starts back followed by a second last time out is hard to dismiss. Sea Suite gets James Owen’s in-form yard behind him and carries a strong speed figure. This race could easily be a three-way scrap, but Swiped’s form consistency gives me the edge at the prices.

Today’s NAP

Hot And Cold — Close Brothers Handicap Stakes (6:55, Sandown)
Odds: 7/4 — LiveScore Bet (others: 15/8 BoyleSports)

Sir Mark Prescott at Sandown is a 26% strike rate with a 1.23 A/E, the strongest trainer angle on the card. Hot And Cold is nine pounds clear of her rivals on our speed figures at 90, runs from an official mark of just 81, and her back-to-back wins before a solid placed effort last time out show this is a horse with real ability under a yard that manages its horses meticulously. Returning fit after 13 days, against a market leader with only three career starts, this is the standout bet of the evening.