Horse Racing Tips: Legion worthy of support at Sandown

Seven meetings are scheduled across the UK & Ireland on Thursday, including afternoon fare from Ripon, Yarmouth and Lingfield before they go at Limerick, Fairyhouse, Carlisle and Sandown in the evening.

Among my horse racing tips for the day is an impressive-looking colt for Richard Hannon, who stayed on strongly last time out to win a hot race.

18:35 Sandown - First Legion @ 11/8

FIRST LEGION fetched 500,000 guineas at the Craven breeze-up sale and fully delivered on his debut, creating a telling impression at York’s Dante meeting. He was a little keen in the middle part of the contest, but stayed on strongly in the final furlong to put the race to bed stylishly.

The Richard Hannon-trained colt should have no problem stepping back in trip, with the stiff 5f uphill finish at Sandown suiting the son of Mehmas.

Clear Force and Kamakameleon have both shown plenty of speed in their two starts and have to be respected. However, with plenty of improvement to come, First Legion can make it two from two before heading to Royal Ascot next month.

19:35 Sandown - Almaqam @ 9/4

ALMAQAM looked like a horse to follow when winning on this card last year, running away with the Heron Stakes. Although he did not get his head in front again last season, he ran with real credit.

He was only beaten by just over 5 lengths behind Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Rosallion in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and followed that up with a third-place finish behind Dante winner Economics in France.

Ed Walker’s Lope De Vega colt just failed to get his head back in front when beaten a head by Hampton Court Stakes winner Jayarebe at Longchamp in October.

He was well fancied on his reappearance after a 202-day break at Sandown last month, but didn’t get the run of the race having been short of room when mounting his effort. With a clear run he would have finished much closer to the winner.

Ancient Wisdom finished second that day, but with expected improvement and a smoother passage, Almaqam should be capable of reversing the placings.

Almaqam has the best form in this race and it would be no surprise to see him make it two wins from three starts at Sandown.

20:05 Sandown - Opera Ballo @ 6/4

OPERA BALLO looked the real deal after winning both starts on the all-weather at Kempton by wide margins. The second of his wins was achieved in a race won by his stablemate Notable Speech, who went on to win the Betfred 2000 Guineas last year.

He was disappointing in the Craven Stakes behind the excellent Field Of Gold, where he pulled hard but actually did well to keep going under the circumstances, finishing sixth.

Charlie Appleby’s son of Ghaiyyath is clearly better than he showed last time out, and if he can settle better he can showcase his true potential.

Click the link for all the latest Horse Racing Odds and Today's Horse Races

Find more Horse Racing Tips here at Betfred Insights