Weekend Preview: All quiet on the domestic front

Danedream is the star attraction this weekend
Having enjoyed tremendous action last week at the York Ebor meeting, racing in Britain this weekend, understandably, looks to be an altogether more low-key affair...
Arguably the pick of Saturday's domestic action can be found at Sandown, where the Group 3 Solario Stakes is the feature race on the card. Subsequent Breeders' Cup Classic winner Raven's Pass came to the attention of most racing fans when routing his rivals in the 2007 renewal, and the two-year-old contest has been won in the past by other top-notch performers such as Oh So Sharp and Alhaarth. It would register as a surprise were any of Saturday's field to emulate that top-quality trio, but an interesting race, featuring some unexposed types, looks to be in store.
Master of War boasts the strongest form credentials, having finished second in the Group 2 Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last time. The step up to seven furlongs promises to suit Richard's Hannon colt and he will be fancied by many to triumph on Saturday. However, Fantastic Moon, who is completely unexposed having had only the one start to date, looks set to provide stiff competition under the much heralded William Buick.
The following contest is also a Group 3 affair, with a host of talented fillies and mares set to go to post. Ladys First managed to gain just reward for a string of useful efforts when landing a listed race at Haydock last time, where she relegated Sir Michael Stoute's improving filly Dank into second. Dank reopposes on Saturday and is sure to have her supporters, along with Godolphin's Irish History who will be bidding to bounce back from a below-par effort behind the pair.
Speed is of the essence at Beverley on Saturday, where a maximum field of sixteen go to post in the Beverley Bullet, a listed prize run over five furlongs. Borderlescott may be in the twilight of his career, but the veteran campaigner is still showing the odd hint towards past glories and there would be no more popular winner than Roger Bastiman's ten-year-old stalwart. Pepper Lane bounced back from three poor runs this season to record a career-best effort in the Great St Wilfred at Ripon, following on from her success in the same race the previous year. Although needing to prove that she is as effective away from Ripon, there will be plenty willing to take the chance that she is capable of following up here.
There could be a moment of historical significance at Bath on Saturday evening as Rex Imperator holds strong claims of becoming the first Timeform Notebook winner. The drop back to five furlongs should hold no fears for Roger Charlton's talented colt, who has shown speed in abundance in his fledgling career to date. Soft ground would be the biggest concern for Rex Imperator, particularly as it brings Ballesteros, a proven mudlark, firmly into the equation.
Domestic racing on Sunday is a typically quiet affair, with Folkestone and Newton Abbott due to stage meetings, although it should be pointed out the latter is in some doubt having abandoned Saturday's fixture due to waterlogging.
Better quality of racing comes from the continent as the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Baden is the highlight of Sunday's action. Danedream bids to retain her title, and she certainly arrives in good form having won the Betfair-sponsored King George on her most recent start. The presence of the progressive three-year-old Pastorious ensures that it is unlikely to be a walkover for Danedream, though.
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