Weekend Preview: Secret a talking horse at Sandown

The listed Scurry Stakes is the highlight on a seven-race Flat card from Sandown on Saturday and Pearl Secret is the most exciting runner going to post, the David Barron-trained colt currently unbeaten in three starts and rated 119p by Timeform. Pearl Secret landed a five-furlong minor event at York in impressive fashion last time, travelling well and demonstrating a sharp turn of foot despite having pulled hard in the early stages, and he strikes as a sprinter on his way to the top. Pearl Secret is Timeform top-rated for Saturday's race with the likes of Ballesteros and Free Zone in opposition.

The class 2 mile handicap, due off just over half an hour earlier, is the feature on the Sandown undercard and the race promises to be a competitive affair with the principals narrowly matched on Timeform weight-adjusted ratings. Sam Sharp is currently ahead on the figures, rated 1 lb superior to his nearest rival but, with the likes of Fennel Bay, Weapon of Choice and Leviathan all entered, the race looks difficult to call.

The other handicap worth a mention is the class 3 event over nine furlongs that features some promising three-year-olds from some of the top yards. John Gosden's Dark Stranger looks just about the most interesting of the lot, a maiden winner last time who looks sure to figure in the finish on what will be his handicap debut if things go to plan. Spirit of the Law and Takeitfromalady are two others who could go well in a race that promises to throw up some above average sorts.

The listed Ganton Stakes is the highlight from York on Saturday, the mile race due off at 15:45. Dance and Dance currently heads the Timeform ratings for what promises to be an informative renewal, considered just 1 lb superior to Tulius, who represents Andrew Balding. Dance and Dance finished second in the Diomed Stakes last time and will be right on the premises if reproducing that same level of form, whilst Tulius carries a penalty having landed a listed contest on his latest start.

There are two class 2 handicaps on the Knavesmire, the first of which is a 13-runner nine-furlong event due off at 14:35. Barren Brook and Classic Colori currently head the field, the former having performed creditably on his two outings so far this season, whilst the latter produced something close to his best in a Doncaster handicap last time.

The other top handicap is the Bond Tyres Trophy, due off just over half an hour later and taking place over six furlongs. The races is limited to three-year-olds only and looks to have a very competitive edge to it with Van Ellis and Priceless Jewel leading the line. Bartolomeu is also entered having caught the eye on recent starts, finishing second last time at Newmarket after two wins on the all-weather.

There is Flat racing at both Bath and Leicester on Saturday afternoon, whilst an evening meeting at Lingfield is also on the agenda. Hexham is the solitary venue for jumps racing on Saturday, that track hosting a seven-race card.

Over in Ireland, there is racing at Limerick, with that venue hosting a seven-race Flat card that consists of handicap and maiden contests.

Salisbury and Doncaster are the venues for racing on the level in Britain on Sunday with the former hosting what looks to be the stronger of the two cards. The listed Cathedral Stakes due off at 16:00 is the highlight with the likes of Our Jonathan, Elnawin, Libranno, Definightly and Boomerang Bob all currently holding entries for the six-furlong event. Our Jonathan heads the ratings after his victory in last season's Ayr Gold Cup and he could be the one to beat having proven himself in good health when taking a minor event at Haydock last time.

Cork is the only venue hosting racing in Ireland on Sunday but the Group 3 Noblesse Stakes over one and a half miles is arguably the strongest race of the entire weekend. Sapphire and Sense of Purpose currently head the ratings, the former a winner of a listed contest last time, whilst the latter landed the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes on her penultimate start. That pair will have to be right up to their best, however, with Aidan O'Brien's Twirl in the field, likely to give the principals plenty to think about.

The other highlight on the Cork Card is the listed Midsummer Sprint Stakes, with plenty of top horses currently entered for the six-furlong dash. Definightly and Eton Rifles are chief amongst them at time of writing and that pair will be difficult to beat in a field that also includes Inxile and Roicead.