THOUGH it has given the world fearless toreadors and gifted if quixotic footballers, Spain's gifts to the horse racing world crouch apologetically behind the likes of El Cordobes and Fransisco Gento.

However, the talented Oscar Urbina has created a most favourable impression since he came to ply his trade in Britain, as his attachment to Luca Cumani's stable testifies.

Today, the Italian and the Spaniard can team up to plunder the Group Three Solario Stakes at Sandown with Great Ovation. A son of High Estate, who won this race back in 1988, the bay currently boasts a career record of two runs, two wins, and the signals are that there is still a good deal better to come.

He made his debut in a three runner maiden at the beginning of last month, looking fit enough first time of asking, if a little short on experience. However, he got off to a winning start, being produced by his Spanish partner over a furlong from the finish and showing tenacity in abundance to deny 4 to 7 favourite Mount Kamet by a neck.

From there he headed to Kempton where he defended his unbeaten record in a conditions race over seven furlongs. Once again sent to the from by Urbina approaching the furlong marker, he lengthened in good style and kept on to deny Ed Dunlop's Musical Dancer by a length.

Whether Great Ovation makes into a colt capable of going to the top is doubtful. But what is certain is that he is already a useful juvenile, who promises to progress with racing. Conditions should suit Great Ovation, who is taken to confirm his superiority over Mount Kamet.

Lady Herries' Roseberry Avenue looks a good bet to defy a 4lb penalty in the Claygate Stayers Handicap over an extended two miles. The Sadler's Wells colt put up an encouraging performance on a belated seasonal debut over a mile and a half at Newmarket at the beginning of the month, staying on into fifth behind Snow Falcon.

As expected, he proved well suited by a more stringent test of stamina in a handicap over a mile and six at Sandown almost three weeks later, sprinting clear of his rivals during the last quarter mile and having five lengths to spare over Charming Admiral at the line. The penalty he incurs for that success should not be sufficient to stop him.