Today's Racing Tips: Montreal can Rock to Sandown Solario Victory

Sandown, 14:15 - Back Kokbastau @ 11/43.75

This looks a competitive handicap on the surface, as you'd expect for the money on offer, but if there's one horse who has the potential to make a mockery of his mark it could well be Kokbastau.

Roger Varian's three-year-old has progressed rapidly in his first four starts and absolutely bolted up making his handicap debut at Kempton earlier this month.

That came in a race that wasn't particularly strongly run, yet Kokbastau was still able to quickly put five lengths between himself and the chasing pack once takin the lead 2f out, something that isn't easy to do off just modest early fractions.

The sharp turn of foot the selection showed there marked him out as a potential Group performer in the making, and though the handicapper hasn't missed him - he's been put up a stone for that win - such is the sharp upward curve the son of Wootton Bassett is on that I'm confident he can defy it.

That Kempton success came on the back of a more hard-fought win at Southwell, which showcased Kokbastau's ability to battle too when the situation demands and I'm excited to see this one take the next step up the ladder.

Notable winners from Mark in recent weeks

Item @ 7/1
Edward Sexton @ 7/2
Archers Bay @ 11/4
Influencer Man @ 11/4
Quest For Stars @ 5/2
Youdecide @ 15/8
Haffner @ 6/4

Mark's Bet of the Day: Solario Stakes, Sandown, 15:30 - Back Rock Montreal @ 13/82.63

If Kokbastau is an exciting prospect for the Varian, then so too is Rock Montreal, who created a massive impression when winning his sole start at Yarmouth and now takes his chance in the Group 3 Solario Stakes.

This one cost an absolute packet and he gave every indication that he should be able to pay back his hefty price tag with interest when sent off a short-priced favourite on debut at the seaside just a fortnight ago.

Related to a stack of smart winners, Rock Montreal always travelled well on the heels of the leaders before posting blistering fractions through the final 2f to come home nearly three lengths clear for just hands-and-heels riding.

Timeform don't go around handing out their large P symbol too often, but Rock Montreal was given one on the back of that debut success and he looked every inch a pattern performer there.

Holding entries in next month's Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, as well as the Dewhurst at Newmarket later in the autumn, the selection is clearly well thought of and I'll be disappointed if he doesn't prove up to winning this along the way.

August Stakes, Windsor, 18:30 - Back Warrant Holder @ 5/16.00

While there's good Group-race action at Sandown, Windsor also stages a cracking listed race in the shape of the August Stakes and it looks a good renewal, with chances given to plenty of the nine-strong field.

Six-year-old White Birch make his debut for the Jamie Osborne yard having had a breathing op, and if he was to show up with the kind of levels he was hitting in Ireland a couple of years ago then everyone else would be racing for places.

However, we haven't seen him for nearly a year and there are more questions than answers.

I prefer the claims of Warrant Holder, who was on a sharp upward curve in middle-distance handicaps earlier in the summer before disappointing somewhat when only tenth in the John Smith's Cup at York last time.

I'm guessing he wasn't 100% there and he's been given plenty of time to get over whatever was wrong, while it looks significant that the Gosdens are prepared to pitch him into listed company rather than carry on down the handicap route.

The rating he ran to when second under top weight in the Duke Of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot would be good enough to have won the last three renewals of this contest and Warrant Holder looks decent value at 5/16.00.

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