The listed Cleves Stakes, due off at 13:45, looks a really hot sprint in which it is possible to make a case for plenty, particularly last season's winner Ladies Are Forever, Hawkeyethenoo and Rivellino. However preference is for Tarooq, who appears to be at his best on the all-weather, particularly over six furlongs at Lingfield, and posted a career-best on just his second start for this yard when landing a competitive heat over C&D in December. He ought to have no problems holding his own at this level and is worthy of the utmost respect.
The following event at Lingfield, also a six furlong handicap, is another competitive contest with Valmina, Multitask and Spellmaker all arriving in fine form. It is worth taking them on with the Roger Charlton-trained Random Success however, who finished in the frame on her first four outings but has improved the last twice, winning over five and six furlongs at this track and showing a sharp turn of foot on each occasion. She's 7 lb higher now and this is a stronger race, but further progress is on the cards and she should go well.
Our final selection goes just 35 minutes later in another smart handicap. Several likeable types go to post but the one that makes most appeal for win purposes is the Marco Botti-trained Grey Mirage, who was a good winner over a mile here last month and the booking of Ryan Moore catches the eye. The five-year-old didn't need to improve to come out on top in that minor event but it was a decent performance nonetheless with Alfred Hutchinson, who reopposes here, back in third. A BHA mark of 100 looks fair and he seems likely to put up a bold show.
Timeform SmartPlays:
All at Lingfield
Back Tarooq in the 13:45
Back Random Success in the 14:15
Back Grey Mirage in the 14:50