Rosarno still looks good for double attempt

TIPS: 2lb rise should not trouble Hills’ charge on return to Nottingham

ROSARNO recently snapped a near 12-month barren spell with a win at Nottingham at the start of October and he can follow up back at the Colwick Park venue.

Charlie Hills’ runner had fallen a little way down the ratings having been out of luck for such a lengthy spell, with a few attempts at middle distance failing to bring out the best in him.

However, dropped back to an extended mile and with a bit of cut in the ground, Rosarno made the most of a less than ideal passage to eke out a neck victory.

The handicapper has been limited to a 2lb rise and that may not be enough to stop a Rosarno double in the ROA/ Racing Post Owners Jackpot Handicap.

The EBF Stallions Golden Horn Maiden Stakes honours John Gosden’s superstar and the Newmarket handler has a likely winner of the second division of the race in PETIT PALAIS.

A Champs Elysees half-brother to 2000 Guineas winner Galileo Gold, Petit Palais certainly has the right kind of pedigree to be making his mark at a better level next term.

MERCIAN KING threw in a rare bad run on his penultimate start but righted the ship last time and can go on again at Fakenham.

That seventh place at Stratford represented the only occasion Mercian King had finished out of the first three in nine starts for Amy Murphy, but the application of cheekpieces could have made an impact.

With the headgear off, he bounced back in style at Worcester and can be relied upon to be in the shake-up in the Greene King IPA Handicap Chase. SELECTIONS: FAKENHAM: 1.10 Royal Ruby, 1.40 Alexander The Grey, 2.10 Aiguille Rouge, 2.40 Mercian King, 3.10 Miss Mayfair, 3.40 Wade Harper, 4.10 Golden Friday. NOTTINGHAM: 12.30 Tamkeen, 1.00 Petit Palais, 1.30 ROSARNO (NAP), 2.00 Rydan, 2.30 Lydiate Lady, 3.00 World Record, 3.30 Hitchcock, 4.00 Royal Cosmic.

DOUBLE: Rosarno and Mercian King.