2:15 Sandown
This Class 2 handicap at Sandown over 1m1f209y on good ground brings together a competitive field of 13 useful performers, many of whom are stepping up or down in trip while several make their first appearance at the track. The KTB Fit scores are tightly bunched at the top, with two horses sharing a 65 rating and the next three between 62 and 56, underlining the even nature of the contest. With the pace shape indicating no obvious leader and a steadily-run, tactical affair in prospect, being well positioned and timing a run will be key.
How the race shapes up
The race lacks a clear leader, pointing to a steadily-run affair in which those who can be handy or produce their effort at the right time are favoured. Several principals and field runners prefer to settle in mid-division or be held up, suggesting the pace will be tactical rather than searching early on. The key question is which horse can quicken most effectively off a steady gallop in the straight, particularly from a favourable draw or with a clear run.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1King's Charter65/100Useful performer who has placed on his only previous visit to Sandown and steps up in trip today having already won over this distance.
- 2Crown Of Oaks KTB Selection65/100Useful performer who has won two of his four starts at this trip and shown solid form on good ground with two wins and a third from four attempts.
- 3Kokbastau62/100Useful performer who has won two of his last three starts after a modest debut.
- 4Flying Frontier57/100Useful performer who has won twice at this track from five runs and also has a solid record on good ground with three wins from six starts.
- 5Tribal Chief56/100Tribal Chief is a useful performer who has been consistent in strong company this year without winning.
- 6Love Beach56/100Useful performer who has won on this trip and handles good ground well with two wins and a third from five runs.
- 7Cash51/100Useful performer who has run well at this track on several occasions without winning, finishing placed on his best effort here.
- 8The Glen Rovers51/100Fair sort who has won three times over today's trip but is 0-2 on good ground and has been well below form on his last two starts.
- 9Involvement50/100Useful performer who has shown his best form at this trip, winning twice from six starts.
- 10Stem50/100Fair performer who won on his only previous visit to Sandown.
- 11Alcarath50/100Useful performer who has run well at this track before, finishing second here on his only visit.
- 12My Love Is King49/100Useful performer who has finished second in both starts this season after a winning debut.
- 13Gonna Fly48/100Useful performer who has already won at this trip from just two attempts.
The contenders
King's Charter KTB Fit 65/100
King's Charter arrives with a KTB Fit of 65 and is a useful performer who has already won over today's distance. He showed useful form when second on his most recent start and has placed on his only previous visit to Sandown. The first-time headgear could sharpen him further as he steps up in trip today. Charlie Appleby has a 24% strike rate at the track while Toby Moore, riding here for the first time, teams up with a 6/17 record between them that carries an A/E of 1.39. The colt typically settles in midfield though evidence is limited.
Crown Of Oaks KTB Fit 65/100
Crown Of Oaks is rated 65 on KTB Fit and is the selection. A useful performer, he has won two of his four starts at this trip and shown solid form on good ground with two wins and a third from four attempts. This is his first run at Sandown but that is taken as neutral given his overall record and the yard's established 19% strike rate here from 426 runs. First-time headgear is now applied after a disappointing return when seventh on reappearance. William Haggas and Callum Rodriguez combine with a 5/13 record that shows an A/E of 1.27. The horse is usually held up and produces his effort late.
Kokbastau KTB Fit 62/100
Kokbastau carries a KTB Fit of 62 and is a useful performer who has won two of his last three starts after a modest debut. Stepping up in class, he is dropping back from 1m4f to 1m1f, a move that poses a fresh question having been beaten on his only previous run at this trip. The trainer has an 18% strike rate at Sandown from 234 runs. Roger Varian and Ray Dawson team up with a 90/454 record that has an A/E of 0.86. He typically settles in midfield.
Flying Frontier KTB Fit 57/100
Flying Frontier is assessed at 57 on KTB Fit. A useful performer, he has won twice at this track from five runs and also has a solid record on good ground with three wins from six starts. Dropping back from 1m4f to a trip he has won at three times from nine starts looks a sensible move though the wide draw in stall 12 is a negative. First-time headgear is now added. James Tate and Luke Morris have a 78/550 record with an A/E of 0.77 while the yard posts a 15% strike rate at Sandown.
Tribal Chief KTB Fit 56/100
Tribal Chief has a KTB Fit of 56 and is a useful performer who has been consistent in strong company this year without winning. He has run just once at Sandown, finishing sixth, and steps up in trip today having failed to trouble the judge when tried at this distance before. The yard has a solid 19% strike rate here from 110 runs. David Menuisier and Sean Levey combine with a 9/53 record carrying an A/E of 1.52. He is usually held up and produces his effort late.
The rest of the field
Love BeachKTB Fit 56/100
Love Beach is rated 56 on KTB Fit and is a useful performer who has won on this trip and handles good ground well with two wins and a third from five runs. He drops back from a longer distance having looked in decent form earlier this season. James Fanshawe has a 13% strike rate at Sandown from 295 runs and this is the horse's first run here. The horse is usually held up.
CashKTB Fit 51/100
Cash has a KTB Fit of 51 and is a useful performer who has run well at this track on several occasions without winning, finishing placed on his best effort here. He steps up in trip today having been placed once at this distance though his record on good ground is modest with just one win from ten starts. The trainer's modest 5% strike rate at Sandown adds a note of caution. He is usually held up.
The Glen RoversKTB Fit 51/100
The Glen Rovers is rated 51 on KTB Fit. A fair sort who has won three times over today's trip, he is 0-2 on good ground and has been well below form on his last two starts. He drops back from 1m4f while making his first appearance at Sandown. Lucy Wadham holds an 11% strike rate here from 178 runs. The horse is usually held up.
InvolvementKTB Fit 50/100
Involvement carries a KTB Fit of 50 and is a useful performer who has shown his best form at this trip, winning twice from six starts. He has run well at Sandown before when third on his only visit and handles good ground. The yard's modest strike rate here is a slight negative. He is usually held up.
StemKTB Fit 50/100
Stem is assessed at 50 on KTB Fit. A fair performer who won on his only previous visit to Sandown, he has dropped back in trip today having last run over a mile and a half and is 1 from 3 at this distance. Richard Hannon has a solid 12% strike rate from 557 runs at the track while Pat Dobbs is aboard. The horse is usually held up.
AlcarathKTB Fit 50/100
Alcarath has a KTB Fit of 50 and is a useful performer who has run well at this track before, finishing second here on his only visit. He has already won over today's trip and shown he handles the ground, with a solid recent sequence that includes a close fourth in similar company last time. Alan King has a good 14% strike rate at Sandown from a big sample while Oisin Murphy takes the ride. He is usually held up.
My Love Is KingKTB Fit 49/100
My Love Is King is rated 49 on KTB Fit. A useful performer who has finished second in both starts this season after a winning debut, he has been placed at this trip without winning and the yard's solid 22% strike rate at Sandown adds some confidence. First-time headgear is now applied and the small sample on this ground leaves suitability as an unknown. He is usually held up.
Gonna FlyKTB Fit 48/100
Gonna Fly has a KTB Fit of 48 and is a useful performer who has already won at this trip from just two attempts. Sandown has been a happy hunting ground for the yard over a long period and the colt looks well placed from stall three. Going suitability remains unknown on the balance of just five career runs. He is usually held up.
KTB verdict
Crown Of Oaks is the KTB Selection. A useful performer with two wins from four starts at this trip and a good record on good ground, he looks to have been targeted at this race with the first-time headgear applied after a lacklustre reappearance. The William Haggas yard's 19% strike rate at Sandown from a large sample is another positive in a steadily-run race where his late kick can be effective. King's Charter, who has already placed at the track and shown useful form when second last time, is the obvious danger, while Kokbastau, Flying Frontier and Alcarath all bring strong claims on their best efforts.
KTB Selection Crown Of Oaks
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:00 UTC, 29 Aug. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| King's Charter | 15/2 | BetMGM |
| Crown Of Oaks | 9/1 | Bet365 |
| Kokbastau | 7/2 | Bet365 |
| Flying Frontier | 33/1 | William Hill |
| Tribal Chief | 11/1 | BetMGM |
| Love Beach | 25/1 | Bet365 |
| Cash | 40/1 | William Hill |
| The Glen Rovers | 35/1 | 7Bet |
| Involvement | 30/1 | 7Bet |
| Stem | 17/2 | Bet Victor |
| Alcarath | 4/1 | Bet Victor |
| My Love Is King | 6/1 | William Hill |
| Gonna Fly | 16/1 | William Hill |
This is the narrative read of the 2:15 Sandown. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Sandown racecard. Every result we hold for the track is on the Sandown results & records page. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is stepping up in trip while wearing first-time headgear and has already placed at Sandown?
King's Charter, who has placed on his only previous visit to Sandown and steps up in trip today having already won over this distance.
How many wins has Crown Of Oaks recorded at today's trip?
Two wins from four starts at this trip.
Which runner has won twice at Sandown and is dropping back from 1m4f?
Flying Frontier, who has won twice at this track from five runs.
What is the trainer's strike rate at Sandown for the yard of Kokbastau?
18% strike rate at Sandown from 234 runs.
Which horse has finished second at this track on its only visit and is stepping up in class?
Alcarath, who has run well at this track before, finishing second here on his only visit.
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