Great Blasket (19:58 Sandown — Class 5 Handicap, 1m)
A six-year-old bay gelding trained by James Owen — in brilliant form at 22% over the last fortnight — and handed to Oisin Murphy tonight, a significant upgrade in the saddle. Great Blasket bolted up at Nottingham just last week, winning by 3¾ lengths at 8/13 in the visor for the first time — a headgear change that clearly unlocked something — and he returns to Sandown where he has a 50% course and distance record from two visits.
He carries a 5lb penalty for that Nottingham win today but remains well treated, and the combination of Murphy, an in-form yard, and a horse wearing headgear with a 100% record makes this look straightforward in a field of just six.
Verdict: Back to win — dominant last week, visor the key, top jockey, and Sandown form franked. Should follow up. 🏇
