Meade Could Strike At Sandown

Raven’s Lady ran a cracking race at Kempton, ridden with more restraint than usual but keeping on well and winning the battle for 3rd. There should be more to come from Marco Botti’s filly on the all weather and it will be interesting to see if she can eventually show a bit more on turf.

Martyn Meade is a shrewd operator.

Tomorrow I like the look of one at a nice price at Sandown, and I think Bequia could bounce back from a disappointing seasonal comeback upped in trip to 7f on handicap debut. This 3yo son of Helmet showed plenty on his debut in a 6f maiden at Newmarket last summer (gd/fm), staying on strongly for 2nd and shaping as though further would suit.

He didn’t produce his best next time kept to 6f at Yarmouth on his next start, finishing well beaten but the easy ground may have been to blame. It was surprising to see him dropped to 5f on his reappearance at Yarmouth (gd/fm) and he was tapped for toe over the minimum trip, staying on late in the day to finish 3rd.

He has been handed a mark of 75 for his handicap debut and Meade has booked a 7lb claimer to ease the burden. Joshua Bryan’s allowance could turn out to be crucial, and he has a win and a 4th from two rides for the yard. Trip and ground look sure to suit, and at odds of 16/1 Bequia looks well worth supporting each way in a wide open race.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 15.10 SANDOWN-BEQUIA E/W @ 16/1