Bridge should come Forth at Southwell

Tips: Longsdon’s four-year-old charge set to benefit from drop in class

FORTH BRIDGE can take advantage of a drop in class to open his account over fences in the Porto Racing Saddlery Novices’ Chase at Southwell.

The four-year-old, owned by the Queen, was given a stiff task on his introduction to the bigger obstacles but acquitted himself well when fourth to the smart Sceau Royal at Warwick six weeks ago.

Charlie Longsdon’s charge was a Listed winner over hurdles last term and if he can transfer that form to fences, he should pay his way. Being a four-yearold, he gets weight from his rivals.

GORGEOUS NOORA should reap handsome dividends by stepping back up to six furlongs at Lingfield.

The lightly-raced filly produced an uplifting performance at Chelmsford at the beginning of the month.

Gorgeous Noora did not win, but she could not have got much closer.

The daughter of Raven’s Pass home in a five-furlong handicap.

However, the line came too soon and she went down by a short head to You’re Cool.

Luca Cumani’s inmate has gone up 3lb for the Betway Sprint Handicap but she has only raced five times in her career and is clearly still progressing nicely. flew

After having broken her maiden over this trip at Wolverhampton a year ago, this ascent in distance should work its proverbial oracle.

There are good races to be won with MIDDLE KINGDOM, who can shrug off the burden of top weight in the Betway Handicap over a mile and a quarter.

John Gosden’s colt did the business on his first two career starts, which included a no-nonsense debut success on the Newcastle all-weather 12 months ago, and hardly lost much in defeat at Chelmsford on November 9.

Middle Kingdom could not quite justify short-priced favouritism in a mile-and-a-quarter handicap but he was only beaten three-quarters of a length in a better race than this.

The handicapper has also left him untouched on a mark of 94. SELECTIONS: LINGFIELD: 12.40 Kassar, 1.10 Wintour Leap, 1.40 Gorgeous Noora, 2.10 Middle Kingdom, 2.40 Nezar, 3.10 Deviate, 3.40 Relevant.

SOUTHWELL: 12.30 Captain Mowbray, 1.00 FORTH BRIDGE (NAP), 1.30 Whin Park, 2.00 Another Stowaway, 2.30 Passing Call, 3.00 Hallingham, 3.30 Diva Du Maquis.

DOUBLE: Forth Bridge and Gorgeous Noora.