SANDOWN

AN attractive card at Sandown saw Simon Crisford’s First Selection make all in the Group 3 888 Solario Stakes over seven furlongs. The Diktat colt just held Manaafidh and eased George Baker’s disappointment at missing the ride on Litigant in the Ebor.

Crisford has a wealth of experience from his time with Godolphin and has made an immediate impression as a trainer. It also helps that he can identify which horses are likely to be suited by Dubai.

“I think the owner (Abdulla Al Mansoori) might want to go there for the UAE Guineas and I also think this horse has the action for the sand track at Meydan,’’ he said. Crisford was welcoming back his first group winner, which will certainly not be his last.

BOOST FOR KIRK

This has been a much better campaign for Sylvester Kirk, formerly assistant to Richard Hannon senior and, like Richard Hughes, married to one of his daughters. The genial handler won the opening Group 3 TBA Atalanta Stakes for fillies and mares with 12/1 chance Nakuti, who was held up by Ben Curtis but came through to lead a furlong out and gamely held Blond Me by a neck.

At four, Nakuti had rather more experience than some of her rivals and took care of herself in a fairly rough race over a mile.

“They went quick, which suited her, and she does love this dead ground,’’ Kirk remarked. “We may look for something similar in France if we can get similar going,’’

HANNON’S HANDICAPPERS

Following Mick Channon’s handicappers every time might prove a little expensive but a long losing run for Chilworth Icon meant she was a pound lower than last year in the Ripley Handicap over five furlongs. That was just what she needed and she burst through under Charlie Bishop to repeat the dose at 13/2.