3.00 Sandown 1M Atalanta Stakes G3 Fillies & Mares (Sat 2nd Sep)

The blog returns after three week summer break ,for decent looking card at Sandown Park on Saturday, with the feature race the £65,000 added group three Atalanta Stakes for Fillies & Mares .

13 runners declared for 1 mile Atalanta Stakes At Sandown .This looks quite competitive group three contest on ground described as good/soft .The three main contenders on official ratings are Aljazzi , Intimation & Nathra .

ALJAZZI : 4-Y-0 Bay Filly ,winning 3 out 9 ,including winning two listed races over 1 mile at Haydock & Kempton,though produced a career best effort last time,finishing excellent second in group two Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot ,behind the useful French filly Qemah .Obvious claims on that form and drying ground will suit .

INTIMATION : 5-Y-0 Bay Mare,winning 3 out 10 ,including winning 1 mile listed race at Naas last October .Been in decent form this season,including finishing creditable second to Rain Goddess in 9F G3 contest at Curragh 6 days ago ,looked unlucky after suffering trouble in running.Should go well if this race doesn't come too quick .

NATHRA : 4-Y-0 Bay Filly,winning 3 out 10.Had some useful form as three-year-old ,including winning G3  Nell Gywn stakes at Newmarket & finishing good 2ND in French 1000 guineas at Deauville.Returned to form last time,finishing staying on 3RD in G2 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury .Should be thereabouts ,though best form on softer ground .

 VERDICT : Aljazzi is 4LB clear on official ratings,after finishing 2ND in Duke Of Cambridge stakes at Royal Ascot, would be difficult to beat if reproducing that form,though was 40/1 chance that day ,and still yet to win in group company (0 out 5)

At the prices INTIMATION looks the each-way value,after finishing unlucky half-lengh second in similar race at the Curragh last time behind Rain Goddess,finding plenty trouble in running.Looks typical improving older horse for the Sir Michael Stoute stable .Odds around 9/2 look solid value, with Paddy Power paying 4 places .

INTIMATION 3.00 SANDOWN 
£30 EACH-WAY @ 9/2 PADDY POWER*
(UNPLACED SP 11-4 LOSS £60.00)