3.10 Lingfield, Friday, April 14

Lancelot Du Luc went down by half a length to Royal Birth in the Hever Sprint Stakes, over 5 furlongs, on his last visit to Lingfield in February and reopposes on identical terms in the All-Weather Sprint Championship Conditions Stakes (3.10) at the Surrey track on Friday. However, Royal Birth has yet to win beyond the minimum trip and Lancelot Du Luc, who has an enviable strike-rate on Polytrack, including two course and distance wins, must have every chance of reversing the form over an extra furlong. Dean Ivory’s 7-year-old ran on well under pressure to beat Mythmaker, Boom The Groom, Gracious John and Pretend in a bunch finish over course and distance in February and, while there’s clearly not much too choose between the quintet on the form book, the Shamardal gelding can confirm the form. Regular partner Robert Winston takes the ride.

Selection: Lancelot Du Luc to win (9/2 with William Hill)

5.25 Southwell, Tuesday, April 4

In the Betway Stayers Handicap (5.25) at Southwell on Tuesday, Omnitago won her maiden over 1 mile 3 furlongs by 8 lengths on her first attempt on Fibresand in January and, although subsequently beaten off a 4lb higher mark in a similar race at Wolverhampton eight days later, deserves another chance to confirm her previous promise. The Aqlaam mare has had just four starts for Michael Appleby and just seven in all, so could still have some improvement in her. The handicapper appears to have taken a chance by dropping her 4lb and Silvestre De Sousa has a healthy 8-29 (28%) strike rate for the yard on the all-weather in 2017, so she looks a decent bet to justify odds of 2/1 with bet365.

Selection: Southwell 5.25 Omnitago to win (2/1 with bet365)