Gift is present and correct

● Knight’s charge definitely has a liking for Lingfield

Noble Gift should give a good account on his return to action in the Betway Live Casino Handicap at Lingfield.

The William Knight-trained eight-year-old has been off since October, but has gone well on the back of a break before and three previous course and distance runs have yielded a win and two places.

Knight’s gelding ran in good handicap company throughout last year, including at Glorious Goodwood.

He has not been in action at Lingfield since 2015, but his powers did not look to have diminished last season and he is only 4lb higher than when he won here. This is a decent prize, so it is reasonable to expect he will be ready enough to run a big race.

Mercer’s Troop ought to take a deal of beating in the 32Red. com Novice Stakes.

Trained by rising star Archie Watson, the Canford Cliffs colt was unraced as a juvenile, but hopes will be high he can make hay in the months ahead after a winning start at Kempton in January. Sent off an unconsidered 20-1 chance, he was soon guided into an early lead and after quickening up from the two pole, he showed a tremendous attitude to see off Native Arrow and Pilgrim Soul, having been momentarily headed, getting his head in front right on the line.

That only bodes well for his future and he can put that experience to good use.

Kinglami can strike back at six furlongs for the Betway Handicap. John O’shea’s nineyear-old failed to make use of his draw in stall one here last time out over the minimum distance, being slowly away and chasing matters from the rear of the field.

Outpaced turning in, he fairly flew home once hitting top gear, but it was all too late and the front two had flown.

The handicapper has kindly dropped him 1lb for that and if things fall right he must go close.