Saturday Racing Tips: Key Timeform data, including a trio of Horses In Focus

16:05 Sandown - Hat-trick beckons for Desert Shadow

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Desert Shadow

• J: Oisin Murphy
• T: Saeed bin Suroor
• F: 921d-05211

• SBK 7/4
• EXC 2.58

Desert Shadow has spent most of his career over much longer trips but Saeed bin Suroor has really found the key to him since dropping him to seven furlongs this summer and he can complete a hat-trick here.

After a ready win at Lingfield in July, Desert Shadow followed up in impressive fashion over today's course and distance last time, drawing clear under top weight to win with more than three lengths to spare.

He earned the 'Horse In Focus' flag for that useful effort and even a 9 lb rise could prove lenient as he heads the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings by a couple of pounds with Oisin Murphy on board again.

16:20 Goodwood - Zachary Hickes to confirm Yarmouth form

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Zachary Hickes

• J: Jack Mitchell
• T: Roger Varian
• F: 4/641

• SBK 2/1
• EXC 2.78

After just the one run at two and then missing all of last year, 'Hot Trainer' Roger Varian's gelding Zachary Hickes brings a wholly unexposed profile to Goodwood's mile and three quarter handicap.

He's progressive with it too, improving for the step up in trip on his handicap debut when getting off the mark at Yarmouth last time where he showed a good attitude to get the better of Arcturus Flame by a neck.

That rival and fellow 'Horse In Focus' looks his main danger again, but Zachary Hickes has the more scope for progress of the pair, while the stiffer test of stamina promises to suit the son of Australia too.

17:30 Windsor - Crafty Blue pick of the weights

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Crafty Blue (Ire)

• J: Joe Leavy
• T: Richard Hannon
• F: 71-99912

• SBK 10/3
• EXC 4.9

The pair of three-year-olds at the foot of the weights appeal most in this six-furlong contest, with Richard Hannon's Crafty Blue looking the one to thwart Madman's bid for a course-and-distance hat-trick.

Crafty Blue has put together a couple of improved efforts since the cheekpieces went on, dropping back to six furlongs to win at Leicester and then doing well to go close over seven at Haydock last time.

She was only beaten a neck by Norcross Brow at Haydock after conceding first run, earning the 'Horse In Focus' flag, and can quickly resume winning ways heading the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings.

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