Declan Rix

Published 8.36, 9.23, 9.48 - all selections online

A tricky day’s punting ahead with the likes of Goodwood (6.2mm), Sandown (0.2mm) and Windsor (2.8mm) all having rain overnight, but with more to come in thunderstorms. How much more will fall is anyone’s guess, but race shapes and prices are likely to change making it a day hard to be concrete on anything. We’ll see how things pan out. Good luck!

A Simon & Ed Crisford drifter was put up here last week in the Ebor and ran accordingly, but I’m not going to let that deter me from getting involved with the yard’s INVOLVEMENT (2.15 Sandown) despite the early markets also not taking a shine to him.

In a race that has a couple of progressive, lightly raced sorts, others have more appealing chances especially when you consider the five-year-old’s 2026 form figures in Britain this season of 4638, the six being last of six and the eight being last of eight. Apart from that well-beaten sixth-place finish, however, the selection has been performing well in Listed and Group 3 company against the likes of Boling Point, Al Aasy and Enfjaar.

Today’s drop back into handicap company on the back of a 2lb drop in the weights by the Handicapper, along with Masen Paetel taking a further 3lb off his back, make him of interest at big prices especially given his sole run here at Sandown in this race two years ago was a solid effort.

A horse who when in top form can take a hold and travel strongly, Involvement has always looked more of a lengthier than a quicker and vulnerable to a horse with a change of gear, so today’s softening of the ground looks a plus, especially given he handled soft ground at Haydock well earlier in his career.

Apart from an understandably slightly below par effort in a warm Sussex Stakes 31 days ago, SEAGULLS ELEVEN has had a brilliant 2026 so far and looks a sporting bet against hot favourite Zavateri in the Group 2 Virgin Bet Celebration Mile Stakes (3.10 Goodwood).

The son of Galileo Gold – who won the 2000 Guineas for his trainer Hugo Palmer – has been a model of consistency in his five runs this campaign, finishing second in an early season Group 2 in France before winning a Listed French contest and the Group 3 Diomed Stakes at Epsom on Oaks Day.

He also ran a gallant third in the Group 2 Summer Mile at Ascot behind the classy Karl Burke-trained pair of Zeus Olympios and Holloway Boy, two horses who have subsequently given that form a boost. Now, Seagulls Eleven did have the run of the race on the day, but it came on ground quicker than ideal so the forecast rain today (6-12mm according to the BHA) is a huge positive.

Both the formbook and how the selection gallops tell you that he is a better horse with juice underfoot, helping to bring his stamina into play for connections who have been talking about running over 10f this season. With that in mind, I hope he gets a good positive ride from David Probert who hopefully gets a sound gallop to run into.

Zavateri is the horse to beat as the market suggests, but he backs up in seven days after a tough run at York where he looked in top gear from early in the race. He’s got such a good attitude under pressure, he ran on well late, but that run might have just knocked the sparkle off him. If so, Seagulls Eleven can hopefully capitalise.

The early markets in the Group 3 BetMGM Atalanta Stakes (2.50 Sandown) are favouring the winning machines Calendar Girl and Secret Of Life, but it’s fellow three-year-old MOON TARGET that I’d like to be with at the current prices.

The 4-1 on offer seems fair about a filly who drops into Group 3 company on the back of two encouraging runs in Group 1s behind the likes of Precise and Blue Bolt. At Royal Ascot the daughter of Cracksman ran a fine race in the Coronation Stakes given how fresh and well she was despite a solid gallop.

Next time out, in the Prix Rothschild, it was nice to see her settle down and race far more efficiently, especially as she was bounced out to make the running. In a race she had the complete run of, it was at least encouraging to see her have some smart fillies and mares working going to three out. She obviously didn’t have the class or pace to hold off Blue Bolt and Precise late, but it was a career best effort.

Today’s drop in class along with getting onto a stiffer mile both look positives about a filly who might still be getting better herself. The market is obviously suggesting both Calendar Girl and Secret Of Life have more to offer, but if Moon Target is anything like her sire Cracksman, she can good continue to improve into the autumn, and maybe on softer ground too.

Trainer Sir Mark Prescott has his string in great order presently so at 4/1, I am happy to play this Moon who can hopefully hit the Target.