Top juvenile talents bid to join greats on the Solario's sizzling roll of honour

There are three clear indicators to racing fans that the transition from summer to autumn is upon us. The nights start drawing in, the weather begins to cool and the Solario Stakes (3.35) takes place at Sandown.

As we say farewell to the warmer months, excitement begins to build with the juvenile campaign rising to a crescendo. Now is the time for the two-year-olds to crank things up a gear, staking their claims for next year's Classics and Group 1s.

And, as has been the case so many times, it begins with Saturday's Sandown showpiece.

Last year's Solario saw the terrific Too Darn Hot explode on to the Group-race scene, dispatching his rivals by four lengths. After two more stunning victories he was crowned champion two-year-old, and he further showcased his talent at three by winning the Prix Jean Prat and Sussex Stakes.

The magnificent Masar landed the Solario in 2017 before going on to become the first Derby winner to carry the blue silks of Godolphin, while Kingman cruised clear in the 2013 Solario before dominating the mile division the next year and retiring a champion.

And back in 2007 the race was landed by Raven’s Pass, who rounded off his career the following year with victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Masar: won the Solario Stakes under James Doyle in 2017Credit: Mark Cranham

This year's batch of young pretenders is headlined by the exciting Positive, who finished five lengths behind Pinatubo in the Vintage Stakes but blitzed the rest of the field, including the reopposing Visinari.

Each of the last three favourites has done the business and delivered a bashing to the bookies. Will that become a fantastic four?

Standing in Positive's way is Al Suhail for Charlie Appleby – and the trainer will no doubt be hoping he has found another top-notch talent following the retirement of Masar last month.

But before we come to the battle of the youth, Frankie Dettori rolls into town to join forces with Duneflower in the Atalanta Stakes (3.00).

The Italian showman has ridden just 14 times at Sandown this year but has had seven winners to show for his efforts, including the exciting Palace Pier, who made a sparkling winning debut at the course on Friday.

His mount Duneflower – an impressive winner of last month's Valiant Stakes at Ascot – holds strong claims but must overcome Jubiloso, whose third in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot represents the strongest form on offer.

Dettori will be determined to prove that in his world it's an endless summer and, while there are no Group 1s for him to add to his seasonal haul of 14, a £100,000 handicap is enough to tempt him to Chelmsford in the evening. He will partner Vale Of Kent – in the richest race of the day by far – for another man who is having a sensational summer, Mark Johnston.

Plenty of reasons to be positive for Cox

It will be a big 20 minutes or so for Clive Cox as he trains the favourite for the day's two most prestigious races – the Beverley Bullet (3.15) and the Solario (3.35).

Positive was no match for Pintubo in the Vintage Stakes but remains an exciting prospect for Cox, who is responsible for another of this season's leading juveniles in Golden Horde.

Tis Marvellous was a talented two-year-old himself, winning the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin in 2016, but he produced his best performance on ratings when pulverising his rivals in an Ascot handicap last time.

The trainer enjoyed his most prolific campaign last year, sending out 68 winners. However, with 50 already on the board and with talented performers such as Positive and Tis Marvellous to turn to, he is on course to set a new benchmark.

Armchair guide - today on ITV Racing

1.50 Sandown: Play 4 To Score At Betway Handicap | 5f

Four-year-olds have won the last three runnings of this and Embour, Mountain Peak and Spoof fit that profile. It could pay for punters to look away from the top of the market as not one favourite has won this handicap in the last ten years.

2.05 Beverley: William Hill Silver Cup Handicap | 1m2f

Arctic Fox has won three of her six runs this season, while trainer Richard Fahey is looking to make it three Silver Cups in four years. Danny Tudhope looks to continue his potent partnership with William Haggas on Desert Icon.

2.25 Sandown: Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap | 1m2f

Country looks to make it four wins in a row for William Haggas but faces a tough opponent in Migration, who was a course-and-distance winner last time. Hyanna has finished in the first three on 12 of her last 15 runs, winning four of those, and will have apprentice Georgia Dobie taking off 7lb.

2.45 Chester: Sportpesa Chester Stakes (Listed) | 1m6½f

Outbox will be fancied by many to register his first win of the season after being narrowly defeated by King's Advice at Glorious Goodwood. This race has been won by some classy horses in the past, including Gold Cup winner Big Orange and last year's Ebor hero Muntahaa.

3.00 Sandown: Betway Atalanta Stakes (Group 3) | 1m

Frankie Dettori shows up for his one ride of the meeting aboard Duneflower, who goes for a hat-trick. She must overcome Jubiloso, who has decent form this year with close defeats in the Coronation Stakes and the Oak Tree at Goodwood.

3.15 Beverley: William Hill Beverley Bullet Sprint Stakes (Listed) | 5f

David Griffiths bids for a hat-trick in the Bullet and is represented by Epsom Dash winner Ornate. Only a head separated Tis Marvellous and Danzeno when they finished second and third in the Wokingham. This time they clash over the shorter trip of 5f.

3.35 Sandown: Betway Solario Stakes (Group 3) | 7f

The highlight of the day as some of the season's top two-year-olds look to replicate the likes of Oh So Sharp, Kingman and Too Darn Hot. Positive heads the market after a strong performance behind Pinatubo in the Vintage Stakes but faces stiff competition from Al Suhail, Visinari and the unexposed Kameko.

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