Sandown 14/06/2019

4.50 Sandown | Beck Celebrating 25 Years Of Excellence Handicap
Rhythmic Intent 9-4
The Playle Punt has enjoyed a short break recently as I haven’t been betting much, but I’m going to have a considerable bet – by my standards at least – at Sandown today so fingers crossed it will boost my Royal Ascot tipping fund. Let’s take a look through the form of my selection. On debut, Rhythmic Intent was sent off 40-1 and quickened clear with the main bunch of horses. They include the winner Star Safari, who hasn’t been seen since, second-placed Tempus, who has won his next two in style, third Surfman, who is rated 105 after finishing third in the Dante and eighth in the Prix du Jockey Club, and finally the fourth home Mind The Crack, who has won his two starts since being gelded and is now rated 89. On Rhythmic Intent’s second start at the track he again stayed on nicely behind Surfman to finish third. Durston, the second, is now rated 82 after finishing fourth in a decent Windsor handicap and then winning at Doncaster. The fifth, Aweedram, won his next two starts and is now rated 92. Rhythmic Intent’s most recent run again came over 1m½f at Nottingham, where he was just over five lengths adrift of the 100-rated Fifth Position, who would go on to finish third in the Listed Cocked Hat after drifting badly in the betting, and Space Blues (110), who I tipped before he bolted up in a York handicap and then won the Listed Surrey Stakes at Epsom. He rates a strong fancy for the Jersey next week. On balance, Rhythmic Intent simply has to be backed off a mark of 77 on handicap debut. By Lope De Vega, the soft ground should suit, as should the step up in trip judged on his running style, while he’s also out of a Galileo mare. Stuart Williams also has a profit of +16.50 to a £1 level stake at the course, while jockey PJ McDonald has been operating at a 22 per cent strike-rate in the last fortnight and is riding out of his skin.