Rum can be the Star once again in Sandown’s Charge
PRIOR to the feature Coral Eclipse, Saturday’s Sandown card kicks off with a Group Three contest over the flying five furlongs, the Coral Charge (1.50pm).
The stiff, uphill finish presents a unique task for these sprinters and with quick ground forecast, the action will likely develop over towards the far rail.
There could well be a few hard luck stories, and you want to be on a horse that can get out and hold their position, so there’s a reason to focus on those with proven form at the track.
One horse that does boast good form at Sandown is RUMSTAR, who won this race last year.
As ever with many of the sprinting fraternity, he struggled to back up that form for the remainder of last season but ran with credit on multiple occasions in deeper company.
His run on seasonal reappearance on Guineas Day at Newmarket was most encouraging, when coming clear of the rest to finish half-a-length behind Night Raider.
The winner has since franked the form when following up in the Group Two Temple Stakes next time, and you could make the case that he could be the best five-furlong sprinter on these shores.
Both were undone next time at Royal Ascot by the track bias, with it transpiring that they had no chance from their low draws.
Rumstar was especially inconvenienced that day being caught all the way out on the wing with no cover, so I’d be happy to forgive that performance.
As a result of that, I think his chance is being underestimated here and 4/1 looks value, particularly with him eased in grade and back on a track he’s familiar with.
POINTERS SATURDAY
Rumstar 1.50pm Sandown