Dave Nevison's Friday tips: best bets at Sandown and Salisbury

New trainer Brian Twomey is dispensing with the headgear Cuban Girl has worn for her latest three runs for Andrew Balding and hopefully that will prove to be a good call.

The filly has the form to be a real contender here, especially as several of her rivals might be better over either a slightly shorter or longer trip.

She ran well on softer ground last time and, with rain around over the next few days, she would be able to handle any change in going conditions. I expect a decent run on her stable debut. 

John Gosden’s three-year-old has not been seen during the height of summer, so hopefully it isn’t anything more serious than a gelding operation that has kept him off the track. 

Keble Spirit ran well over this course and distance in a strong handicap back in early July and still looks like he has further improvement in him.

His yard couldn’t be in much better form and Buick rides, so it will be a surprise if he can’t go very well off just a 3lb higher mark.

A Salisbury winner in these colours would be a fitting tribute to Geoff Lewis, who sadly passed away earlier this week. Lewis wore them on Mill Reef and will always be remembered winning the Derby in 1971 for Paul Mellon and Ian Balding.

A win for this horse definitely looks possible as Solar Pass has been running consistently well since winning at Lingfield early in January.

The step up to 1m6f might well be just what this filly needs as, almost without exception, she has been staying on well in her races, including when putting up a strong effort at Kempton last time out.