The Coral Charge is an exciting Group 3 sprint race run at Sandown Park. Read our trends, runner-by-runner guide, and free Coral Charge 2021 tips.
When Is The Coral Charge 2021?
The Coral Charge takes place at Sandown Racecourse at 13.50 on Saturday 3 July. It is the second race on an eight-race card that also includes the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse Stakes.
History Of The Coral Charge
The Coral Charge is the new name for Group 3 race formerly known as the Sprint Stakes. The race was first run in 1986 and has been won by subsequent Group 1 sprinters Lochsong, Ya Malak, The Tatling, and Battaash.
Coral Charge Ten-Year-Trends 2021
Eight of the last ten winners of the Coral Charge were rated between 107 and 109, with the other two rated 102 and 96. Seven of those winners were aged three, with the others aged four (two) and six. Three of the winners were fillies aged three.
Seven of the winners in the last decade were drawn in stalls one, two, or four, with the others drawn in stalls six, eight, and nine. Five of the last favourites have won, returned at odds ranging from 2/1 to 4/1. The remainder were returned between 11/2 and 10/1.
Coral Charge Runner-By-runner Guide 2021
Lazuli
112-rated four-year-old that won over course and distance last season before finishing fourth in last year’s edition of this race. Unproven on soft ground but won his first two races over six-furlongs, so should have the necessary stamina if handling some cut. Drawn in stall-5 for a trainer that claimed a Group 3 and the Irish Derby last weekend.
Ainsdale
105-rated four-year-old that has shown he handles plenty of cut in the ground, especially when beaten just a neck in a group 3 at Haydock. Not so good on the all-weather last time and stall-ten isn’t an ideal draw.
Arecibo
Looked like an exposed and inconsistent handicapper up until being transferred to Robert Cowell this season, but the six-year-old has since won two handicaps and finished second in a Group 1 at Royal Ascot. Hampered on his other run this season when beaten by Lazuli when receiving 3lb. Drawn in stall seven.
Came From The Dark
108-rated five-year-old that has gone close in all three runs this season. He was beaten a neck on his seasonal debut and then won by the same margin before just being touched off by Lazuli on his latest start, when in receipt of 3lb.
Count D’Orsay
100-rated four-year-old that is nicely drawn in stall two. Beat Came From The Dark in receipt of 1lb last season but has been beaten eight times since in lower-class races. Will be a surprise winner as he steps up in class.
Rocket Action
97-rated six-year-old that is drawn in stall six. First-time visor will have to make a big difference to a horse that was beaten over five lengths at 66/1 in last year’s edition of this race.
Stone Of Destiny
108-rated six-year-old that enjoyed his biggest moment when winning last year’s Portland handicap off a mark of 93. He finished behind Arecibo in a Group 1 at Royal Ascot last time and there’s no obvious reason why he should reverse that form. Drawn in stall three.
Keep Busy
108-rated four-year-old filly that handles all types of ground and has winning form on a soft surface. Won an easier race last time but was well beaten by Lazuli on her last visit to Sandown. However, she’s 4lb better off and looks to have landed a nice draw in stall one.
Atalis Bay
103-rated three-year-old filly that has won two of her three races this season on good-to-firm ground. But as she’s won on good-to-soft and over six-furlongs, she may also appreciate this test from a good draw in stall four.
Happy Romance
103-rated three-year-old filly that has won one of her four starts this season, all of which have been over six furlongs or further. But she ran one of her best races over course and distance last season and she went on to win a Group 3 over six-furlongs from subsequent Coronation Stakes winner Alcohol Free at Salisbury, another course with a steep uphill finish.
Who Will Win The Coral Charge 2021?
Unusually for the Coral Charge, there are no three-year-old colts in this year’s line-up. That means an older horse may add his name to the roll of honour, with Arecibo likely to be a warm favourite after his run at Royal Ascot.
Lazuli is another improving type and, though he flopped in this race last year, he is a course and distance winner. But he’ll need to defy a penalty and he might struggle to concede 11lb to the two three-year-old fillies in the line-up.
Atalis Bay and Happy Romance are the two three-year-old fillies and, though they’re rated lower than most winners of this race on a 103, two of three similar winners in the last decade have been rated 96 and 102.
Atalis Bay has a better draw and won last time out, but it’s Happy Romance that has the best form of the two. She’s proven over course and distance and over further on uphill finishes. Her win over Alcohol Free also looks the standout piece of form in this field. Stall eight isn’t ideal but, as she likes to come from behind, she’s fancied to enjoy picking off the leaders late on.
While Atalis is around 8/1 (9.00) with most bookmakers, Happy Romance was available at 40/1 at time of writing with Paddy Power and the Betfair Sportsbook – so an each-way bet is advised.
Free Coral Charge Tip 2021
Happy Romance (Each-Way)
