Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Today's Observations features a hot Hamilton contest for sprinters.
3.30 Hamilton, Cond, £27,000, 3yo/up, 6f 6yT
Last term's G1 British Champions Sprint S. hero SANDS OF MALI (FR) (Panis) makes his European return coming back off a sixth in Meydan's Mar. 30 G1 Al Quoz Sprint. In an intriguing six-runner affair, he once again faces King Power Racing's British Champions Sprint third Donjuan Triumpant (Ire) (Dream Ahead) and 2017 G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest hero Brando (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), who ran fourth in that Ascot contest.
5.45 Leopardstown, Mdn, €17,500, 2yo, f, 7f 25yT
PETITE MUSTIQUE (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}), who is a full-sister to G1 Criterium International hero Johannes Vermeer (Ire), yielded the highest price when knocked down for €1.1-million at Goffs's 2017 November Foal Sale and is one of three entries for Aidan O'Brien in this nine-strong heat. She is joined by stablemates Blissful (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), whose five black-type siblings include MG1SP sire Gustav Klimt (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G1 Gran Criterium heroine Nayarra (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}); and Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a half-sister to G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. and G2 Lowther S. victress Lucky Kristale (GB) (Lucky Story).
7.35 Chelmsford, Cond, £15,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 10f (AWT)
Saif Ali's IRISH STEPS (Giant's Causeway) is a daughter of GI Canadian International heroine Sarah Lynx (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and represents the David Lanigan stable in this belated unveiling. Her rivals include Alrabban Racing's hitherto unraced Albanderi (GB) (Kingman (GB)">Kingman {GB}), who is a €240,000 Arqana August half-sister to last week's G2 Badener Meile victor The Revenant (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), from the Sir Michael Stoute yard.
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