Newmarket ITV4 Racing Tips & Preview

This appears a tough opener for punters with a number of horses becoming increasingly well handicapped following a spell in the doldrums. Toofi certaintly fits that bill but trying to predict when he hits top form could be a frustrating exercise so GUNMETAL (Best price 15-2) is put forward as a tentative selection. The four-year-old’s claims are hardly overwhelming but he looked a decent sprinter in the making on occasion in the first half of last year and was arguably drawn in completely the wrong position for his Doncaster comeback. The winner, Wentworth Falls, has gone in again since to boost the form and Gunmetal should be sharper for that run behind him while the fast ground will hold no terrors.

The mile of the Racing Post Trophy probably found out SIR DANCEALOT (Best price 7-2) on the final start of his campaign, but he remains a very interesting prospect entering his three-year-old campaign. David Elsworth’s speedy colt probably produced the performance of his career in Listed company at York with Shane Kelly aboard in October and it is good to see the duo reunited for his seasonal bow at a track where the selection performed with great credit last September. For an Elsworth horse, Sir Dancealot was given a busy campaign and may have been feeling the effects at Doncaster so he is afforded another chance to show the same acceleration and class that he did on the Knavesmire.

Stepping from handicaps into Pattern races offers a host of different tests, not least the tempo and way those respective affairs are usually run. SPARK PLUG (Best price 13-2) must find a way to overcome those obstacles as he has appeared an improved horse of late in big-field handicaps where the pace is usually generous and his end-of-race kick can be employed to best effect. One positive for his chance is his record fresh which reads well, while he appears to love the long straight that the Rowley Mile provides so is worth taking a chance with at his morning price.

The presence of a one-raced Polytrack winner wouldn’t normally be enough to worry the Ballydoyle battalion,s but when that filly is handled by the master trainer Andre Fabre then the chances of Pamplemousse taken on a whole different enormity. However, Brave Anna and ROLY POLY (Best price 9-2) have vital experience and knowledge of the Dip courtesy of fighting out the finish to the Cheveley Park Stakes last autumn and the fact the latter has been in plenty of battles during an industrious juvenile campaign could stand her in good stead today. At this stage of the season we can only surmise as to the respective fitness of contenders in these trial races, but Roly Poly came to hand early last season and is put forward as a tentative pick.

Read Sam Turner's tips in the Daily Mail every day or at www.dailymail.co.uk/racing