In-form Orne fancied to defy top weight and taste Spring Cup success at Lingfield
Orne is in ominous form following a recent trip to Qatar and will return to home soil with the BETMGM Spring Cup Stakes in sight.
The John and Thady Gosdentrained colt will arrive at Lingfield on the back of an impressive second-placed finish in the Al Rayyan Mile in Doha, finishing two lengths behind winner Oddyssey in the local Group Two race.
Orne has already had Group Three success on these shores at the end of last year, when he made all to claim the Betfred Horris Hill Stakes at Newmarket in November. Both results came via differing tactics under the guidance of Robert Havlin, who has ridden on all four of the colt's outings, proving that the three-year-old is adaptable.
He prefers to be among the front-runners, however, just like his sire Acclamation – and Havlin should ensure Orne will be prominent at the allweather track.
Orne has already experienced success on Polytrack in his short career – winning at Kempton on debut in September last year – and should be in the mix for top honours despite carrying top weight.
Tortured Soul is eyeing up a hat-trick in the Build Your Acca With BETUK "Hands And Heels" Apprentice Handicap following a fruitful transition to Tony Carroll's yard.
The four-year-old gelding made the switch from Irish trainer Ger Lyons to Mill House Racing in November and has subsequently won four of his five starts.
His most recent victory came over this mile-and-a-half distance at Kempton last week and it is hard to see Tortured Soul not being there or thereabouts again in the Lingfield opener.
In Cumbria, Rocheval looks to maintain an unbeaten start to his career in the Carlisle Junior "National Hunt" Hurdle.
Patrick Wadge guided Lucinda Russell's gelding to victory at Aintree and Ayr before the end of last year – beating I Wish You on both occasions – and is eyeing a hat-trick of successes.
One More Stroke will be aiming to continue his fine form in the Watch Racing TV Now Novices' Hurdle, under Brian Hughes once more.
Following a second-placed finish at Musselburgh to kick off his career under Rules, the Donald Mccain-trained horse claimed victory after pipping Yes Day last time out at Catterick in January.
One More Stroke is set to battle with another Jonjo O'neill gelding in the form of Highlands Legacy, in what should be an entertaining clash at the Cumbrian track.
Henry Brooke is back on Concetto and the pair can make it back-to-back successes in the Every Race Live On Racing TV Handicap Chase.