Sandown preview (14.00): Cannock Chase can complete four-timer

Cannock Chase can continue on an upward curve, and complete the four-timer in the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown today (14.00).

The Sir Michael Stoute trained colt had an ultra progressive profile last season, landing a maiden at Windsor before making a mockery of his opening handicap mark to beat subsequent St Leger fourth Windshear by a cosy 1 3/4 lengths in the valuable Lodon Gold Cup at Newbury.

Cannock Chase then took the step up into Group 3 company in his stride to round off the campaign with an impressive display in the Tercentenary Stakes at Royal Ascot.

After being held-up in the last pair, the son of Lemon Drop Kid made smooth headway on the outside three from home and, after being produced to lead approaching the final furlong only had to be driven out to score with far more in hand than than the winning margin of 1 1/2 lengths suggests.

It was a most taking performance and one which suggested that Cannock Chase would have even more to offer as a four-year-old.

After just four career starts, Cannock Chase remains also remains open to bags more improvement, and with Ryan Moore in the saddle can take this before going on to even better things.

Trained by Luca Cumani, Postponed also has a progressive profile and looks the obvious danger.

Having finishing third behind Cannock Chase at Royal Ascot, the son of Dubawi went on to easily land a Listed contest at Hamilton before putting in a very impressive display to land the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes over 1m 4f at York.

Postponed travelled powerfully throughout in the latter, and after taking up the running two from home forged clear to win easing down by 2 1/4 lengths from the useful Snow Sky.

The four-year-old commands the utmost respect on that effort, but the drop back to 1m 2f today is not ideal and the vast majority stable’s runners so far this season have needed the run.

Tullius is the highest rated runner in the line-up. but all his best form has come over a mile and he flopped on his sole previous try over today’s trip.

The quick ground is also not ideal for the Andrew Balding trained seven-year-old and this looks a straight match between Cannock Chase and Postponed in my book, with the former strongly fancied to come out on top.