Godolphin may have struck out with Rewilding in their final shot at Classic success this year, but they can enjoy a more fruitful day at Sandown. While the St Leger proved something of a damp squib for boys in blue, Skysurfers can put a smile back on their faces in the Listed Fortune Stakes at the Esher track. The son of E Dubai looked a classy colt when winning at Meydan back in February and his decent third in the Group Two Godolphin Mile further underlined that impression. He looked in need of the run on his turf bow back in Britain in May though and with trainer Saeed bin Suroor's team in lamentable form at that time, it is easy to forgive a disappointing effort in a Listed heat at Goodwood.
Given a short break, Skysurfers ran a much better race at York's Ebor meeting, sticking to Listed class to push the well-regarded Yaa Wayl all the way to the line. That run came over seven furlongs and the step back up to a mile should be in his favour, as should the good ground. The Godolphin team also hold a winning chance with Flying Cloud in Yarmouth's EBF attheraces.com John Musker Fillies' Stakes. The four-year-old bagged the Ribblesdale last season and looked set to lift a big pot when second to Chinese White in the Pretty Polly Stakes in June. However, she let down favourite backers when dropped to Group Three company at Glorious Goodwood while she never featured when well beaten in the Yorkshire Oaks.
A further dip to Listed class last time seemed to reignite her fire, finishing a close-up third to Distant Memories after not getting the best of runs. While a switch back up to 12 furlongs would probably be ideal, she should be good enough against a relatively ordinary bunch of fillies in this Listed contest. Things may not have been going exactly to plan on the pitch for Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson but Pausanias should be able to score for his famous part-owner at Kempton. The Kyllachy colt landed a nice race at Goodwood on his debut at the end of July, digging deep to hold off the challenge of Bertie's Dream by a neck. That runner has subsequently won himself, while a couple of those in behind have also been placed so the form looks reasonable at this stage.
Pausanias is entitled to improve for the run and while the digibet Conditions Stakes is a bit of a jump in class, he looks a colt on the upgrade. Leader Of The Land can maintain his 100 per cent record at Beverley in the George Kilburn Memorial Handicap. David Lanigan, who himself boasts an excellent record on the Westwood, sent this colt to bag a mile-and-a-half heat here late last month to supplement two victories over that same trip in May. Although he has been raised 6lb for his grinding half-length verdict over Fantastic Strike, Leader Of The Land evidently saves his best for this track and is one to follow. * Press Association