Pirate can be King of the castle at Lingfield

Pirate King can bag the spoils in the Betway Handicap at Lingfield.

Charlie Fellowes' six-yearold was a three-time course-and-distance winner last winter.

Kieran Shoemark was on board each time, and renews the association as Pirate King bids to open his account for the new campaign.

Shoemark was in the saddle when the gelding returned from a 270-day break to run with promise and finish fourth in a very competitive handicap at Kempton in November.

The winner that day was in the middle of a prolific run of form, chalking up the second of four consecutive successes, while runner-up Cepheus went on to an impressive Listed victory at Deauville next time.

Pirate King was then partnered by Stevie Donohoe back at Lingfield just before Christmas, and again performed with great credit - failing by only a length to peg back Al Zaraqaan, who was complet- ing his hat-trick.

Fellowes' improver is up another 1lb for his trouble and, as goes with the territory as he continues his rise up the ranks, finds himself in against another clutch of inform rivals here.

He is as progressive as any, however - and with his regular jockey back, he looks primed to run to his optimum on his third start of what should be a fruitful winter.

Catch My Breath is also a returning course-and-distance winner in the Bombardier British-Hopped Amber Beer Handicap.

In his case, he has achieved the feat just once, but it was at only his second attempt to do so, and on his most recent outing last week.

John Ryan's grey was wellbacked for that success as well, and the impression was that he was good value for the length-and-a-half verdict.

A 6lb rise back up to just beyond his previous winning rating is therefore by no means unreasonable - and it is, of course, no concern at all that rising star Laura Pearson takes over in place of her fellow apprentice Darragh Keenan, and can still claim 5lb to his three.

The Play Ladbrokes 5-ASide On Football Handicap is another competitive event, in which Water Of Leith is of most interest as he bids for a hat-trick against his fellow three-year-olds.

Jim Goldie's gelding was a shock winner on just his second racecourse appearance, putting an unsuccessful midsummer turf debut well behind him when he pounced from off the pace to take a Wolverhampton novice at 33-1 last month.

He duly followed up under a penalty over the same course and distance, taking care of an odds-on favourite to claim victory by just half a length.