Trainer Jo is seeking Toon Bachelor pad

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 feels it is worth the effort again – but he finds himself in a tight little race.

The ratings band is 0-80, yet four of the five runners are rated within 4lb 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 is given the vote in what could turn out to be a decent 32Redsport.com Fillies’ Novice Stakes.

There are 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 two 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 three and a half lengths.

She is progressing now she has the hang of things and this Grade Two 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 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.

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 know how to bring out the best in his mount.