Friday 29 August 2014 12:03, UK
View from connections ahead of Saturday's European Wealth Solario Stakes at Sandown.
Hugo Palmer is excited at the prospect of saddling the highly-promising Aktabantay in the European Wealth Solario Stakes at Sandown on Saturday.
Palmer has had this seven-furlong Group Three contest in mind for the son of Oasis Dream for some time and reports the colt to be in tip-top shape.
Aktabantay was last seen finishing second to the impressive winner Estidhkaar in the Group Two Superlative Stakes after getting off the mark at Newcastle. Since Newmarket all roads have led to Sandown.
"He's done extremely well since Newmarket and I think the track will suit him," said Palmer.
"He's always done his best work on rising ground, at Newcastle and Newmarket. The four furlongs of rising ground at Sandown will really suit him. This has been very much the race I've wanted to run him in all year. It has been the plan since his maiden and I'm just looking forward to it. Drying ground would help him."
Godolphin's Future Empire steps straight into Pattern company after making a winning debut in a Newmarket maiden five weeks ago.
"He is doing well and worked really well this week. I like him and he is improving all the time," his trainer Saeed bin Suroor told At The Races. "It gives us a clear picture for the future when you can run them in Group races."
Lexington Times has twice been beaten since opening his account at Headquarters. His latest defeat came over six furlongs at Ripon and his trainer Richard Hannon believes the step back up to seven will play to his strengths.
"Lexington Times is back over seven furlongs in the Solario, having found six too sharp in the Hornblower at Ripon, a track that does not suit every horse," the Marlborough handler told www.richardhannonracing.co.uk.
"The form of the maiden which our fellow won at Newmarket's July meeting could not have worked out better, and if he handles the ground we would hope for a big run."
