THE Flat season is starting to kick into gear and there were some potential stars on show at Sandown Park on Friday.
Arabian Crown booked his ticket to the Derby and Charyn impressed in the Group 2 bet365 Mile, but there were several eye-catchers elsewhere on the card.
Macduff (right) caught the eye at SandownGetty
None more so than MACDUFF, who ran a hugely encouraging race in the Classic Trial behind Arabian Crown.
He would have preferred a stronger gallop and was just briefly caught flat-footed in the straight as the eventual winner quickened away.
But he stayed on powerfully to grab second spot and this was a decent warm-up for a potential crack at the Derby on June 1.
Trainer Ralph Beckett was as pleased as punch and can see his horse having a big season, especially when he gets some faster ground.
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MIAHARRIS went into the notebook after finishing fourth in the opening five-furlong handicap.
The Owen Burrows-trained filly had some useful form as a two-year-old, winning her first two starts, including a Listed victory at Newbury.
She was unlucky when fifth in the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes when last seen and she was a little hard done by on her reappearance, too.
Jockey William Buick had to settle her at the back of the field from a wide draw, which is always difficult to overcome on the sprint track at Sandown.
She travelled into the race nicely but just had too much ground to make up having been short of room, finishing one and a half lengths behind the winner Equity Law – who himself is Royal Ascot bound.
The daughter of Zoustar is worth sticking in your tracker, and she is likely to head to France for a Group race next time.
And in the fillies’ novice stakes, 28-1 shot CRYSTAL FLYER caught the eye when staying on nicely into fourth.
She was a good third on her debut on the all-weather but took a big step forward here in what looked a hot race on paper.
She was given plenty to do but kept on nicely in the straight. Trainer Tom Ward will win a few races with her.
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