Sandown Races: Tips, racecards and betting preview for the Scurry Stakes meeting on Saturday live on ITV

RACING returns to Sandown for the first time since early February.

The ITV cameras are in town for a competitive eight race card, and our man Jack Keene has taken a close look at the card with his race-by-race preview.

Race 1 – 12.55 British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes

Bungledupinblue was three places ahead of HAPPY ROMANCE when the pair met at Newmarket last week.

But the former enjoyed the run of the race on the stands rail while his well-punted rivals was out the back and endured a troubled run throughout.

Richard Hannon’s runner is fancied to reverse the form, with Lethal Force colt Fernando Rah the most interesting of the newcomers.

SELECTION: Happy Romance

Race 2 – 1.30 Long Ditton Novice Stakes

This looks a penalty kick for MANIGORDO and he should open his account with the minimum of fuss.

He sets a good standard here, having run well in much deeper company as a two-year-old, and this is his to lose.

It’s worth keeping an eye on the newcomer Taawfan in the market, but this race isn’t one to spend too much time on.

SELECTION: Manigordo

Race 3 – 2.05 Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Handicap

This is an absolute belter of a race. Top-weight Well Of Wisdom brings some high-class form the to table and he was a Listed winner in Dubai when last sighted.

He has to concede weight to some nice types though and preference is for Marcus Tregoning’s IMPRESSOR.

He was a very creditable third in the Horris Hill Stakes at Newmarket in November, when he raced alone and tried to make all the running on heavy ground.

The Footstepsinthesand colt will appreciate the forecast going and has undergone a wind op, while he is a likely pace angle at a front-runners track.

Ascension is held in high regard by the Roger Varian team and he will surely prove better than his mark in time. But this demands a big step forward.

Surf Dancer was behind the selection in the Horris Hill but is in good hands and will likely have more to offer as a three-year-old.

SELECTION: Impressor

Race 4 – 2.40 Unibet Scurry Stakes (Listed)

In truth, it’s impossible to know what Sunday Sovereign will produce on his first start in almost a year.

He looked very exciting before bombing out at Royal Ascot and he has since joined Roger Varian. He could be a very smart sprinter for the future or he might’ve been a very forward two-year-old. We will find out today.

DREAM SHOT was kept busy last season and ran plenty of solid races in Group company. He ran nicely to finish third in the Pavilion on his return and he is well-drawn in two. The drop to 5f is a plus.

Lazuli is another who will likely appreciate the return to the minimum trip after a good second on his return over 6f at Newmarket.

Al Raya won a Group 3 when we last saw her and she commands respect, but Simon & Ed Crisford’s runners have yet to really get going since the resumption.

SELECTION: Dream Shot

Race 5 – 3.15 Unibet “15-To-Go” Every ITV Royal Ascot Race Handicap

SOLID STONE held his own in decent handicap company last season.

He looks all over a classic ‘Sir Michael Stoute improver’ and the drop back to a mile here won’t be an issue.

The Gill Brothers has improved no-end on the all-weather and he is the likeliest danger, for all his only previous run on turf was desperately disappointing.

Top-weight Elegant Light should be bang there for the in-form Ralph Beckett, while Exec Chef is shortlisted after a solid comeback run at Newmarket.

SELECTION: Solid Stone

Race 6 – 3.45 British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes

Mambo Nights has had four goes to get off the mark, but in fairness he hasn’t been keeping bad company.

He was just touched off by Quadrilateral at Newbury before running third behind Kenzai Warrior at Salisbury – and those two rivals haven’t turned out too bad.

There is every chance he will open his account at the fifth attempt, but at a price it’s tempting to chance the nicely-bred REAL POET.

He was taken off his feet in a decent race on debut and has been gelded over the winter, while he will be much more at home over this 1m2f trip.

Byzantine Empire ran perfectly respectably at Newcastle but needs to take a step forward now. Of the newcomers, Galileo colt Postileo is well worth a market check.

EACH-WAY PLAY: Real Poet

Race 7 – 4.20 Oxshott Handicap (Div I)

Plenty in with chances in a wide-open heat, but ROAR appeals most from an each-way perspective.

He lines up off a good mark under top jockey Silvestre De Sousa, and he advertised his well-being with a bumper win on the all-weather before lockdown.

Classy hurdler Leoncavallo lines up off a tempting mark on his debut for David Pipe, so he commands respect, while Seaborn and Fibonacci are also worth close consideration.

EACH-WAY SELECTION: Roar

Race 8 – 4.50 Oxshott Handicap (Div II)

The second division is even trickier than the first. Take a punt on VORASHANN on his stable debut for Gary Moore.

His trainer has an excellent record at this track and, though he showed little in three starts over timber, he showed ability on the level in France.

Be Fair was in cracking form on the AW over the winter and he will surely go close if handling the switch back to turf. Atomic Jack and Blame It On Sally won’t be far away either.

EACH-WAY PICK: Vorashann

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