Tipping / Timeform / 23 April 2010 /

Sandown stages its classic trial on day one of the bet365 Gold Cup meeting...

Circumvent showed himself to be a useful juvenile when winning three (notably a Group 3 at Saint-Cloud in September) and was beaten only narrowly on his other two starts. He will be suited by ten furlongs, but others here look classier.

Azmeel is a well-regarded colt (holds a Derby entry) who gained a stylish win in a listed race at Newbury in August before flopping when heavily backed for a sales race at the Curragh. He needs to show that was a blip.

Chabal was runner-up in the Group 1 National Stakes on just his second start. He was too free when well held in the Dewhurst next time (left Jim Bolger after) but he should still do better. He is tried tongue tied on his return.

Simenon was consistent as a two-year-old, landing a seven furlong Newmarket maiden in July and a minor event at Ayr in September. He signed off with a good third in a Group 3 and he is the type to progress further, but has plenty to find on the book.

Take It To The Max held his form well at 2 yrs, progressing from a Pontefract nursery win to take a minor event at Newmarket on his final start. He looks out of his depth in this company, however.

Waseet landed the odds in a maiden here in August despite failing to settle, and improved plenty when second to Joshua Tree in the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot. He will stay ten furlongs and he should continue on the upgrade.

Bikini Babe had an inconsistent profile at 2 yrs but got better nevertheless, and showed she'd trained on well when second to Raihana in the UAE Oaks at Meydan in February. She has her work cut out for her against the boys here, though.

Verdict

Chabal looked to be going places when second in a Group 1 within a week of his debut last September, but a headstrong display in the Dewhurst raises slight doubts as to how he'll progress. Waseet showed his quality when runner-up in the Royal Lodge Stakes when last seen and is taken to come out on top. Azmeel's home reputation suggests we may not have seen the best of him yet.

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