Racing: Governor can take the applause

SIR Andrew Lloyd Webber finds himself in an unusual position at Sandown Park this afternoon. The composer's company sponsors the entire card, but while his musicals pull in crowds by the coachload, today's feature race has attracted a paltry three runners, writes Hyperion.

Bal Harbour had been expected to take the starring role in the Group Three Solario Stakes, but his trainer, Henry Cecil, is sufficiently worried by his string's poor showing at York to scratch Khalid Abdullah's colt while precautionary blood tests are performed.

Governor George (3.40), well beaten by Bal Harbour at Newmarket last month, should step up from understudy to take advantage, but a more rewarding bet will be ABBEY'S GAL (nap 3.10), who can return to her progressive early-season form in the Listed fillies mile.

American Swinger (2.35) is another with scope for improvement, while Bodari (next best 5.10) has an ideal rails draw in the sprint handicap.