ELUSIVE PIMPERNEL is taken to create a surprise and steal the thunder of Workforce in the Piper Heidsieck Champagne Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown.

Winner of the Derby and Arc last year, Workforce makes his much-anticipated return in the ten-furlong feature – but looks to have a couple of factors against him.

For not only is he saddled with a penalty, the trip is unlikely to play to his strengths and Sir Michael Stoute has made no secret of the fact he will improve plenty for the run.

Favourites largely have a poor record in the Group Three heat, too, all of which points to Elusive Pimpernel as a much better value bet.

He does have questions to answer himself, not least whether he stays the distance, but there was much to like about his debut third at Newmarket after a long lay off and trainer John Dunlop has always thought a lot of him.

Tried over nine furlongs at Headquarters, Elusive Pimpernel looked to need a sharpener and his jockey was not hard on him, giving plenty of hope for further improvement.

Akmal can land a second consecutive renewal of the Charles Heidsieck Champagne Henry II Stakes.

Noodles Blue Boy should not be underestimated in the digibet.com Handicap at Newcastle, while Ballagio is the choice in the ‘‘Party In The Paddock’’ Next Thursday Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby.