bet365 Mile 2012

2.20 Sandown

bet365 Mile (Group 2) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner £45,368

Advice: 4 pts Famous Name top 2 finish (4/6 Hills)

Dubawi Gold: Went from AW Listed winner to class act on the milling scene last year, winning Group 2 in cheeky style after finishing second in English and Irish Guineas (then disappointing at Royal Ascot); Fourth behind Excelebration, Frankel and then Able One in high class events and that makes him the best horse in this race (forget Dubai disappointment) although some might say his turn off foot was blunted when fourth in the Moulin behind Excelebration by the very soft ground that day; One to beat.

Famous Name: Exceptionally consistent horse (few more deserving of a group 1) who won Listed race at Leopardstown for the third season running, giving 5lbs and a beating to the easy Irish Cesarawitch winner Sharestan; Sure to be fit for that, great all round record, and has tons of soft ground form along with a win on heavy, so must be exceptionally hard to beat today.

Questioning: Improved on all form last season and his seasonal debut when winning the Earl Of Sefton at Newmarket, beating Group 1 winner Twice Over; That form puts him in with a big shout if he handles the ground here today.

Penitent: 2010 Lincoln winner who made excellent start for his new yard when winning at Doncaster (ahead of Questioning);That form gives him possibilities here and has won on soft ground before (infact, his personal best win is on ground described as soft) and has to be respected.

Libranno: Made himself into a very useful sprinter last season, coming third in the British Champions Sprint having previously won Supreme Stakes at Goodwood; Hasn’t got much soft ground form and this his seasonal debut, so hard to fancy majorly despite Pricewise pick.

Cochambamba: Faces a stiff test even on her best form from earlier on.

VERDICT: A cracking matchup between Dubawi Gold and FAMOUS NAME. Richard Hannon’s exceptional record (he’s won 6 of the last eight runnings) in this is a massive pointer towards his chances and he does have a very creditable Group 1 fourth on heavy ground to his name but Dermot Weld’s charge looks nailed on to give his running and is a regular winner on soft ground, along with his heavy ground wins.