Sam King is back with four selections on Saturday.

The opening day of Sandown's Solario Stakes meeting was hit by the rain, which saw the official going change to soft on both the main and sprint course.

That rain has meant that the highly-promising Publish will not take his chance in the Solario Stakes. His absence may pave the way for the Charlie Appleby-trained Pacific Avenue but there are better wagers on the card and I'm happy to leave him alone at the prices.

It's interesting that the early market vibes are positive again for Headmaster, who was bitterly disappointing when a well-backed favourite for a warm handicap at Glorious Goodwood last time and could be worth another chance in the Sandown opener (1.50).

I'm happy to forgive any horse on bad run and he looked to have legitimate excuses that day having pulled far too hard out wide under a rider who lacked experience at that venue.

There's no better handler in form at the moment than William Haggas and it would be surprising if this gelding wasn't capable of better. A son of Dubawi who is out of the stables three-time Foret heroine One Master, he looked useful when landing a Windsor novice event prior and there's hope on his page that he'll handle these soft conditions.

Tom Marquand, who likely had the option to go to Ireland to ride Irish Cambridgeshire favourite Godwinson, takes over the saddle and a current mark of 87 is surely workable.

1pt Win – Headmaster

Odds – 10/3

Andrew Balding's progressive Blue Point looks sure to be popular in the BetMGM Atalanta Stakes but she's unproven on soft ground and Colin Keane might have his work cut out from stall eleven.

I'm happy to take her on with Spiritual, who is something of an in and out character but clearly has lots of talent when on a going day.

A scorer of the Listed Coral Distaff on soft ground over course and distance last season, Spiritual has performed with credit this year, finishing ahead of the re-opposing Cathedral on her reappearance in the Chartwell Fillies' Stakes at Lingfield before running out a dominant winner of the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom.

Ground conditions might have been on the quick side when she was tailed off in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville last time out and I'm happy enough to ignore that effort. Rab Havlin, who knows her well, ought to be able to get her into a nice rhythm out in front

and if on a going day, it wouldn't be at all surprising if she took some pegging back, even with the 3lb penalty she carries here.

1pt Win – Spiritual

Odds – 13/2

Plenty of eyes will be on Saddadd when he returns to action in the Read Meg Nicholls' Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap at 3.00.

Roger Varian felt that ground conditions were on the quick side when Saddadd landed the often informative and valuable London Gold Cup at Newbury earlier in the season. He hasn't been seen since and fits into the 'could be anything' category but he's short enough in the betting and at the prices, Savvy Victory looks interesting.

A previous Listed course and distance scorer, who tends save his best at this venue, he shaped much better than the bare result when eighth at Goodwood last time out and the booking of Colin Keane also catches the eye.

Sean Woods' charge seems versatile as regards conditions and could outrun his price from a good draw in gate four.

0.5pt Each-way – Savvy Victory

Odds – 16/1

Away from Sandown, I'm looking forward to seeing if Tabletalk can deservedly get back to winning ways in what appears to be a very winnable Listed Virgin Bet Chester Stakes at 2.40.

Having landed the Melrose handicap last season, Tabletalk has shown some solid form in defeat since, finishing runner-up in the twelve-furlong John Porter at Newbury on his reappearance before filling the same spot back there in the Aston Park Stakes.

He lost nothing in defeat when sixth behind multiple and subsequent Group 1 winner Rebel's Romance in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot and arguably ran to form by finishing third behind Al Qareem over this trip in the Silver Cup Stakes at York last time out.

Tom Clover's contender has 4lb to spare on official ratings over main market rival Alsakib and with the first-time cheekpieces an interesting addition, he's a confident selection to get back to winning ways.

1pt Win – Tabletalk

Odds – 13/8