Sprint Stakes Tips: Equilateral The One To Side With

Eight sprinters look set to do battle for the Group Three Sprint Stakes at Sandown this Saturday, and it is a predictably hot betting heat. Kicking off the card with the speedsters always whets the appetite and hopefully we can get you off to a flyer in the first race with a winning tip. Our preview and selection is ready to read...

Raasel looked better than ever when winning the Listed Achille Stakes at Haydock last time out for Mick Appleby and James Doyle, and is a worthy favourite for this year's Coral Charge set to kick off proceedings on Eclipse day at Sandown. He threaded the needle perfectly to score last time out from Dragon Symbol and his running style could suit this contest so it is clear to see why the five year old heads the market.

He is closely followed in the betting by Mitbaahy, who is hat trick hunting in this contest after two encouraging performances in victory at Hamilton and Sandown respectively. His win at Sandown over the smart Live In The Dream in particular looks a nice piece of form and if he continues on the upwards trajectory he has been on this campaign this son of Profitable could give Roger Varian a first success in this race and his course and distance form undoubtedly works in his favour. Of the market leaders he would be the one I would side with if forced to pick purely between the pair.  

Nymphadora produced arguably a career best last time out in the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes Handicap at Royal Ascot when just touched off by Latin Lover at odds of 25/1. In the saddle that day was top apprentice Harry Davies and while there is no doubting the youngsters talent, it is hard to argue the booking of William Buick is not an upgrade. The style in which Andrew Balding's runner secured second place at a stiff track like Ascot should mean Sandown also plays to his strengths and he is not without a chance. Arecibo follows Buick's mount in the market and is taking a marked step down in class here after trying and ultimately failing to lay a glove on the rocket that is Nature Strip in the King's Stand Stakes. There is no disgrace in being dismissed by a rival of such talent, however he has not been at his best for some time and is getting no younger.

Tippy Toes is an intriguing runner and although most of her wins have come on the all-weather she was not too far off Latin Lover and Nymphadora at Royal Ascot, finishing four and a half lengths back and not getting the clearest of runs through. With the potential for improvement she is to be watched with interest although her price continues to shorten and it is tough to make the value case for Johnston's filly. Existent is the outsider of the field at the time of writing although it could be argued he does not deserve to be behind Arecibo after beating him home twice already in defeats so far this campaign. The gelding's Palace House Stakes neck second reads particularly well and he looks over priced for at least a place here.

The horse I have decided is worthy of backing for victory in the Sprint Stakes is EQUILATERAL. Charlie Hills's sprinter was tipped for the very top in his younger days and although he never quite hit the heights expected he has some excellent pieces of form in the book. The seven year old son of Equiano began this season with a couple of solid Meydan successes and looked as good as ever when in the chasing pack behind Nature Strip at Royal Ascot. Like the rest of the field he was no match for the winner but on re-watching the race the eye is drawn to the late progress Equilateral made in staying on for fifth. With less talented rivals in opposition in this race and a likely good pace to aim at Hill's veteran can secure his first win on UK soil since September 2019.