Brigadier Gerard Sandown tips: Derby winner Desert Crown returns for Group 3 rout

Sandown hosts the Brigadier Gerard evening meeting in Surrey on Thursday which includes three big Class 1 contests, including two Group 3s.

The National Stakes, Henry II Stakes and Brigadier Gerard Stakes along with an interesting Class 3 Whitsun Cup.

talkSPORT BET: Bet £20 Get £20 In Free Bets – CLAIM HERE*

Sandown betting tips

6.42: Elite Status 9/2

GETTY

The Racehorse Lotto National Stakes, for two-year-olds could prove to be a massive race for the future with the likes of Blue Storm, Elite Status and On Point in the running.

The ten runners provide an open contest with the betting starting at around 3/1.

All runners, bar one, have won on race with the majority of them just running for the second time and have a huge amount of money behind them.

Two Blue Point colts go head-to-head: Blue Storm and On Point.

While the Havana Grey colt Elite Status could be the threat to both of them.

And it is that one that appeals most on second run due to his emphatic victory by three lengths despite being an 11/2 shot.

Havana Grey won this race in 2017 by a length at odds of 5/1 and on his second run Elite Status could follow in his sire’s footsteps.

7.12: Enemy 11/10

A touch more consistent than his main market rival Nate The Great and that gives him the nod ahead of him at Sandown.

Richard Kingscote has been the jockey on this horse in his last four races but has now been replaced by Frankie Dettori, with the former on Roberto Escobarr instead.

Did okay earlier this month at Chester in the competitive Ormonde Stakes played out on soft ground.

Enemy was just outpaced but should be suited by a return to good ground and distance of 2m.

7.42: Desert Crown 4/7

This is a great renewal of the Brigadier Gerard Stakes with the Derby winner reappearing for his seasonal debut.

Up against some interesting rivals too, in the form of Hukum and Cash.

But the Nathaniel colt has to be favoured here even at a price of 4/7 – although that price will likely shorten even further into odds-on by the evening.

Desert Crown beat second placed Hoo Ya Mal who has gone on to place at Goodwood before winning over 1m6f in August.

Westover in third has had arguably better form in prominent Group 1 races around the world – winning the Irish Derby by an astonishing seven lengths.

Before placing fifth at Royal Ascot in what was a disappointing run when running too freely.

But impressed enough at Longchamp in the Arc on very soft ground behind Alpinista, which all these forms suggest Desert Crown should rout this.

talkSPORT BET: Bet £20 Get £20 In Free Bets – CLAIM HERE*

All odds correct at time of writing

---

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• GamCare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.

---

*18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £20 on any sport at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 2x £10 Free Bets on any sports market. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs apply. begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly