Punch bids for more Sandown glory Persian Punch will be aiming to take the Bonusprint Henry II Stakes for a fourth time when he contests the Group Two event for stayers at Sandown on Monday.David Elsworth`s evergreen nine-year-old 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 he showed he was still a force to be reckoned with when runner-up to Give Notice on his seasonal reappearance in the Group Three Bovis Homes Sagaro Stakes at Ascot four weeks ago.Persian Punch`s main objective is the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in which he went close to winning last year when a head second to Royal Rebel, who is also in at Sandown.Solo Mio, another Gold Cup entry, is among a list of 20 for the Stg£60,000 contest as he attempts back-to-back wins in Monday`s feature.Other Henry II Stakes entries include Persian Punch`s stablemate First Ballot, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Daliapour, and the Godolphin duo Exaltation and Hatha Anna.The French-trained Keltos, winner of the Group One Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes over a mile at Newbury this month, was entered in error.
