Estifzaaz looks to have plenty going form him in the 8.05 Sandown this evening and at 4/1 rates the standout bet on the card.
Charlie Hills’ colt is a consistent sort who showed a fair level of form before opening his account at the sixth time of asking when winning a maiden over a mile at Haydock last month.
He led early that day before tracking the leaders and being produced to take up the running a furlong from home before keeping on strongly to beat Qawaaft by 1 1/2 lengths.
The runner-up has since gone on to score on his handicap debut at Yarmouth, while the third home Response (who was a further 4 lengths back) has gone on to be placed in two maidens to give the form a pretty solid look.
The selection then put in an improved effort last time out at Ascot where he was beaten just 3/4 of a length into third behind Morpheus having attempted to make all on his handicap debut off a mark of 77.
The winner is a progressive sort who was officially rated 82, while the runner-up Stableford was rated 83.
That suggests that it was a fine effort by Estifzaaz, who looks to be improving with each run and now gets this off the same mark of 77.
To my eyes he could easily have been raised a couple of pounds for that run, and could well be ahead of the assessor.
I also think that he could well get an easy lead and his own way up front in this contest, and is he does then he is likely to be extremely hard to peg back in the hands of Paul Hanagan on a track where it often pays to be up with the pace.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts win Estifzaaz (4/1 generally available – use BOG firms)
