Simcock’s Dragon should breathe fire in Lingfield Novice
– David Simcock seems happy to pot hunt with Dragon Mall but he should not be beaten in the Play Jackpot Games At sunbets.co.uk/Vegas Novice Stakes at Lingfield after a recent confidence boost.
On the same card Ed Dunlop's King Kevin is an interesting runner in the Betway Live Casino Handicap. Not out of the first two in his last four outings, last time out he was doing his best work at the finish when second at Chelmsford over 2000m.
Up to 2400m here, it looks like the extra distance can offset the 1.5kg rise.
Joseph O'Brien brings Bachelor back over from Ireland for the 32Red.com Handicap at Newcastle and the hint should be taken.
A winner at Kempton last time out, O'Brien obviously feels it is worth the effort again, but he finds himself in a tight little race.
London
The ratings band is 0-80, yet four of the five runners are rated within 2kg of each other. Owned by Irish rugby star Ronan O'Gara, Bachelor had threatened to show his ability on more than one occasion, but he needed gelding to coax it out of him.
The Kempton run was his first since the operation and given he won a little cosily in the end, there should be more to come.
Karl Burke's Lumi made a very nice debut recently and gets the vote in what could turn out to be a decent 32Redsport.com Fillies' Novice Stakes.
There are some well-bred fillies from some of the biggest Newmarket yards in opposition, but the Canford Cliffs youngster showed she will be winning races when third at Gosforth Park at the end of last month.
She was beaten just over a length by Good Boy Alfie and had a previous winner behind her.
Given nominal improvement and knowing how Burke's team come on for their first run, she should be bang there.
Melangerie can take a steep hike in class in her stride by winning the Weatherbys General Stud Book Jane Seymour Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Sandown.
Nicky Henderson has employed a patient approach so far with this six-year-old, allowing her to build her confidence with a couple of novice hurdle wins at Ludlow after she surprisingly fell short on her first two outings over obstacles.
Melangerie was particularly impressive under a penalty last time, looking really good value for the official winning margin of 3.5 lengths.
She is clearly progressing now she has got the hang of things and this Grade 2 looks just the right kind of target for her, with testing conditions holding few fears.
Paul Nicholls and Jody Sole can combine to good effect once again with Orbasa in the Castel Royal Artillery Gold Cup.
The pair teamed up to win this prize with Cowards Close in 2015 and Orbasa has plenty in his favour here, not least the fact he is the highest-rated runner in the field. Lingfield (UK) Friday Race 1: 15:30
Beaten just under four lengths when fourth at Taunton last time, Orbasa does need things to pan out in his favour, but Sole is a capable pilot and will certainly know how to bring out the best in his mount.
Positively Dylan can regain the winning thread in the Lycetts Farm And Estate Insurance Brokers Novices' Chase at Fakenham.
A winner at Wetherby on his penultimate start, he fell at Haydock just a week-later but this represents s drop in class. –