BOSRA SHAM will be the star turn at Sandown this evening when Henry Cecil's top filly reappears in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes over a mite and a quarter. The daughter of Woodman rounded off a highly successful three year old campaign with a sparkling defeat of Halting in the Champion Stakes on her first attempt over 10 furlongs.
Bosra Sham, who is likely to go off at a short price against only five rivals, should not be opposed in this £30,000 added Group Three contest.
Dick Hern has announced that he is to retire at the end of the season and Shaya can provide him with a timely winner in the White Maiden Stakes.
Shaya showed considerable promise on his only outing as a two year old when a length and a quarter second to Cape Cross in a Doncaster maiden.
In need of the race in York's Glasgow Stakes on his reappearance, the Nashwan colt again indicated he had a bright future. Always in touch with the leaders on the Knavesmire, Shaya challenged two furlongs out but lacked the turn of foot of the winner and was beaten three and a half lengths by Derby hope Symonds Inn.
Sure to have come on for that outing, Shaya is napped to open his account at the Esher track.
Best bet at Redcar looks to be For The Present in the Dormanstown Sprint Handicap.
The David Barron trained seven year old ran well on his reappearance at Newcastle to finish third, beaten under two lengths behind the vastly improved Surprise Mission who was in receipt of 7lb. A repeat of that effort would be good enough for the 1994 Stewards' Cup winner to land today's five furlong contest.
Some interesting three year olds line up for the Abbey Park Conditions Stakes over seven furlongs at Leicester. The unbeaten pair Faithful Son and Manazil both command respect but it may pay to side with Za-Im who has been campaigned at the highest level.
Very impressive when winning a Newbury maiden last October, Barry Hills's charge put in a solid effort on his seasonal debut to run subsequent 2000 Guineas third Poteen to a neck over seven furlongs at Newmarket.
If in that form Za-Im, who was below his best when well beaten in the Guineas, can register his first success of the term.
