In-form Darkness is ready to light up Newmarket for Tregoning and Turner

POWER OF DARKNESS is strongly fancied to improve on his recent course-anddistance second to land the opening Spring Lodge Handicap Stakes (1.50) at Newmarket today.

Marcus Tregoning gave the son of Power, successful twice at Salisbury last June before missing the remainder of the campaign, his comeback in a one-mile handicap at the Craven meeting 16 days ago.

And Power Of Darkness came within a head of a winning reappearance, running on up the hill to lose out to Beringer in a photo-finish.

That performance, on the back of breathing and gelding operations, promised much for the future – especially as Hayley Turner’s mount was inclined to over-race after 295 days off the track.

The handicapper has nudged my selection up 2lb in the weights, but Power Of Darkness has the scope for further improvement and should justify his place at the head of the betting.

A drop down from the highest level can work the oracle for (left) in the Group 2 Roaring Lion Jockey Club Stakes (2.55). Since returning fifth behind Enable in the 2017 Oaks, the John Gosden-trained mare has taken in eight Group 1 tests, finishing out of the first three just twice. In that time, the grey has won both her starts in Group 2 company and, escaping a penalty for those wins, is expected to prove too strong for male opposition. Last year’s winner

has to shoulder a penalty for her Prix de l’Abbaye score at Longchamp last October as she bids for a repeat triumph in the Group 3 Zoustar Palace House Stakes (2.20).

But Michael Dods’ speedster has more to offer and is the value call against market leader Sergei Prokofiev.

At Goodwood, Coronet’s stablemate gets the vote for the Listed Daisy Warwick Fillies’ Stakes (2.05).

Things didn’t go to plan when the daughter of Redoute’s Choice stepped up to Listed grade at Ascot last October, and it’s too early to write her off.

He made all over course and distance last May, and

will again be hard to peg back in the Goodwood May Food Festival Handicap (2.40).