Sands back to winning form

Royal Ascot beckons for Island Sands after the five-year-old recorded his first victory since achieving 2000 Guineas glory back in 1999 when scoring at Haydock Park today.

Frankie Dettori, who gave up his rides on Thursday as he was suffering from a stomach bug, guided Island Sands to an easy victory in the Renault Van Conditions Stakes.

The David Loder-trained 4-11 chance made all the running to take the one-mile contest by eight lengths from Easaar.

Explaining the reasons for sending the classy entire for such a low-key event Ricky Bowman, representing Loder, said: 'We brought him here to try and boost his confidence.

'Whatever level he runs against he`s never impressive. Frankie said he was very lazy in front and wanted something to race with.'

He is now set to be stepped back up to Group Two company at the Royal meeting.

'He`s in a Group Three in Germany and he`s also in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot,' Bowman added.

'I have a feeling the boss will send him to Royal Ascot to see how he gets on.'

Dettori completed a double when giving Lailani a peach of a ride to capture the 10-furlong Renault Manchester Rated Stakes by a length and a half from Elmonjed.

Dettori was denied a another victory when his mount Desert Fury was caught in the shadow of the post and beaten a neck by the Kieren Fallon-ridden Taffs Well in the Renault Clio Van Stakes.

Fallon was also in double form and completed his 70½-1 brace with another power-packed finish on Spring Symphony in the Renault Master Minibus Maiden Fillies` Stakes.