RACING: Muqbil should be spot on for the Gala Stakes at Sandown today after a confidence-boosting victory last time out.

Trainer John Dunlop sent the four-year-old to Doncaster, where he won a conditions event by five lengths, travelling smoothly throughout before winning with the minimum of fuss.

The Swain colt had disappointed in the Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown in April and the victory on Town Moor was, in fact, his first since taking the Greenham Stakes last year. Muqbil can make it a quick-fire double in this Listed event.

Southern Africa can make a successful step up to Listed company in the Dragon Stakes. The son of Cape Town won on his only racecourse start when claiming a Newbury maiden at the end of last month. Southern Africa ran a bit green there but his raw ability seemed to get him through and he held off Lady Le Quesne by a head. Trainer Gerard Butler seems to have his string back in form now and this could be a good opportunity for the colt.

Stretton can step up on his recent efforts in the Action Online Casino Summer Stakes. James Bethell's charge did not find much room two furlongs out at Redcar on his last start and he also seemed to be accidentally hit on the head with a whip, which certainly would not have helped his chances.