Sport

Punch can raise the roof

RACING : Persian Punch can raise the roof at Sandown by winning the £60,000 Bonusprint Henry II Stakes for a fourth time today…

Mon Jun 03 2002 - 01:00

RACING: Persian Punch can raise the roof at Sandown by winning the £60,000 Bonusprint Henry II Stakes for a fourth time today. David Elsworth's popular stayer took this prize over an extended two miles in 1997, 1998 and 2000.

He was fourth to Arctic Owl in 1999 and a close third behind Solo Mio 12 months ago.

And the nine-year-old showed he was still a force to be reckoned with when runner-up to Give Notice on his seasonal reappearance in the Group Three Sagaro Stakes at Ascot four weeks ago.

His main objective is the Gold Cup, which he went close to winning last year when a head second to Royal Rebel, who is also in at Sandown.

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Persian Punch can book his place in the Royal Ascot showpiece, which he has yet to win, by taking this Group Two event.

Kyllachy is also looking to go to the Royal meeting for the King's Stand Stakes.

And the Henry Candy-trained four-year-old can enhance his growing reputation in the sprinting ranks with victory in the Group Two Tripleprint Temple Stakes.

After a smooth win in a Newbury handicap in April, the son of Pivotal short-headed Smokin Beau on the post in the Group Three Victor Chandler Palace House Stakes at Newmarket on Sagitta 2000 Guineas day.

Heretic looks the one for the Doubleprint Rated Stakes following an encouraging return after almost a year on the sidelines. The four-year-old was second to Putra Pekan, beaten a length and a quarter, in the Jubilee Stakes at Kempton four weeks ago.

It was a victory at Kempton in April 2001 over the useful Foodbroker Fancy that earned him a place in the English 2,000 Guineas, but sadly he struggled home last behind Golan.

Gralmano has what it takes to lift the feature event at Redcar, the £30,000 Zetland Gold Cup. Kevin Ryan's seven-year-old was given a canny ride by Franny Norton to capture a competitive handicap at York nearly three weeks ago.

Making all over the mile and a half on the Knavesmire, he had enough left in the tank to hold Mana D'Argent. He is also a course and distance winner so the drop back in trip should not be an inconvenience.