Through The Card: Sandown, Friday 26 April

13:50 - FOX LEICESTER (9) wasn't hard pressed to land the odds at Chelmsford on return but, more significantly, the strength of his form last season makes an opening mark of 81 look lenient, so he's taken to go in again, with recent Musselburgh runner-up Reggae Runner regarded as the main threat ahead of House of Kings in a a good renewal of this fascinating three-year-old handicap.

14:25 - CRYSTAL OCEAN (2) achieved high-class form after winning this race on last year's reappearance and is a strong fancy in his repeat bid on these advantageous terms. French-raider Trais Fluors made a successful return without any fuss last month and that race-sharpness elevates him to second choice over Thundering Blue.

15:00 - John Gosden has a cracking record in this race, and of his two runners, it is the once-raced ALFAATIK (1) who makes the most appeal. A very well-bred son of Sea The Stars, he cost a whopping 850,000 guineas as a yearling, and duly made a winning debut on the all-weather at Chelmsford in December, overcoming inexperience and looking better the further he went. One the bare form of that run, he has a mountain to climb here, pitched in against some smart types who have already shown a fair bit, but Gosden isn't afraid of pitching an inexperienced one in a race of this nature, and Alfaatik is open to any amount of improvement now. Bangkok made an impressive reappearance at Doncaster and that form is working out well, so looks an obvious danger.

15:35 - REGAL REALITY (5) has always been held in high regard, and he stepped up considerably on his previous form when winning the Group 3 Thoroughbred Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last season, beating Ostilio by one and a quarter lengths. He failed to build on that in both of his starts after, but he was far from disgraced on his final start in the Joel Stakes at Newmarket, and that form was boosted by the second at Newmarket's Craven Meeting when Zabeel Prince bolted up in the Earl of Sefton Stakes. Regal Reality remains lightly raced for a four-year-old, and his trainer does remarkably well with his older horses, so there's strong reason to think that Regal Reality could progress further this season. Beat The Bank and Addeybb set the standard and are sure to be in the mix, too.

16:05 - LEODIS DREAM (5) took another step forward when taking a Thirsk handicap on his return and a 4 lb rise may not prevent him making it four wins in a row as there's surely more to come from this progressive sort. Good Luck Fox's runs as a two-year-old included a smooth C&D success and he's respected from a good draw, while Reticent Angel has a solid record in AW handicaps and should figure if as effective back on turf.

16:35 - John Gosden does well at Sandown and SPARKLE ROLL (1) looks a potentially smart filly. She's a half-sister to several winners, including the very smart Derby winner Wings of Eagles, so it was no surprise to see here well backed for her debut at Haydock when in need of the experience. She built on the promise of that run as expected when bolting up at the same track three weeks later, the less-testing ground seeming to suit her well. That form looks solid and she promises to be suited by this step up in trip on pedigree, and should be up to winning this under a penalty before having her sights raised further. Sir Michael Stoute won this race 12 months ago with an impressive winner so Nantucket also needs a second look.

17:05 - NOBLE LINEAGE (3) did well to make a successful handicap debut given he was caught in a pocket at a crucial stage, and he's fancied to complete the hat-trick with further progress on the cards. Private Secretary and Prince of Harts are interesting contenders, also.