Ryan Moore: The verdict on my rides at Sandown on Saturday

Ryan Moore
07 July 2012

Askar Tau - Ryan gives him a decent chance today

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It's Eclipse day at Sandown and while we've already given you Ryan's verdict on the big one here you can get his views on the rest of the card below

"Field of Dream bolted up at Salisbury and I wouldn’t rule him out whatsoever off a 12lb higher mark here."

13:30
Red Seventy
After winning his first two starts at Salisbury and over this trip at Ascot he looked a promising sort, but I think it is fair to say that he hasn't lived up to early expectations. In fact, he has finished last in four of his six subsequent starts and only beat four horses home in the other two. And he has finished last in all three outings this season, most recently in the Britannia. So do you think I am confident?! I suppose the positives are that he has winning form on good and soft ground - so the weather shouldn't be an issue either way - and he has been dropped 5lb since Ascot and the step back down in trip may suit. But a mark of 90 still looks stiff enough, especially in his current form.

14:40
Field of Dream
I haven't ridden him before but he was a decent horse when with Luca Cumani, and ran his best race yet for Jamie Osborne when fourth in the Hunt Cup last time. In fact, he was probably one of the eye-catchers of the Royal meeting in that he totally missed the break there, and Jamie switched him across the track, flew home and he still was only beaten 1 ½ lengths.
I suppose the negative for those who fancy him today is that the run didn't go un-noticed and the betting will probably reflect that, plus the fact that he is 2lb higher and sports a first time visor. And he is keen horse who would have been suited by the very strong pace last time, and he may not get that here. But on what he showed at Ascot - and remember he beat Red Jazz in a listed race two seasons and mixed it in Group company on occasion last year - then he clearly has chances here off a mark of 99. I rode Trade Commissioner at Newbury and thought a step back to a mile would suit him. He bolted up at Salisbury and I wouldn't rule him out whatsoever off a 12lb higher mark here.

15:10
Dank
Obviously, we are all fighting for second place if Starscope reproduces her Coronation form. However, she did run below par, albeit over 1m2f, after her Guineas second and that gives her opponents some hope. But black type is what most of these are after and we will certainly be happy with a place for Dank. She won well at Kempton and things didn't pan out ideally for her in a Doncaster handicap last time. Hopefully she is better than she showed there, but she will need to be as that defeat came off a mark of just 88.

15:45
Read Ryan's verdict on Crackerjack King here.

16:20
Askar Tau
Ran a better race when fifth in the Ascot Gold Cup last time and this course winner clearly has claims over his optimum trip, albeit in a very competitive listed race. A strong pace would help him but he wouldn't want too much rain. I give him a decent chance on good ground, but he is vulnerable to an improver. Mount Athos was very impressive at Newmarket and could be the one to beat.

16:55
Dreams of Fire
I rode her when she won a 1m Kempton maiden last year, when she gave me a good feel and shaped as if she would be a decent filly over middle distances this season. But this half-sister to Kris Kin clearly failed to give her true running upped in class on soft ground in the Cheshire Oaks on her reappearance. In handicap company off a mark of 78 and on better ground - she wouldn't want much rain - I hope she is capable of a much bolder showing. But this is another competitive contest.

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