Timeform UK SmartPlays: Thursday April 18

Newmarket is the bread of a Ripon sandwich in terms of our running order, with first slice being the Abernant Stakes over six furlongs at 15:30. Many of the 11 runners are established Group-level sprinters, but most of those are returning from winter breaks. Considering sprinters tend to need race sharpness more than most, it could therefore be worthwhile sticking with in-form handicap graduate Move In Time. Tried occasionally in pattern events when with Bryan Smart, Move In Time spent the latter half of 2012 in handicaps, with a poor stretch seeing him drop to a BHA mark of 85. Since joining David O'Meara, however, he's looked better than ever, winning both starts, the second in impressive fashion from a mark of 95. Now back in Group company and in the form of his life, Move In Time looks to have a fair opportunity to get his first win at this level.

There's a similar theme running through our methodology with SmartPlay number two, which runs in a useful sprint handicap at Ripon (16:30). Like Move In Time, Sandy Lane is a recent recruit to the David O'Meara yard, though he was already progressing for Amy Weaver prior to taking a leap forward in form terms at Catterick last week. Running over seven furlongs, Sandy Lane dictated but was nonetheless impressive, firmly in control from soon after halfway on his way to recording a six-length success. Carrying just a 6-lb penalty eight days on and highly unlikely to be unsuited by the drop back to sprint trips, anything better than even-money about Sandy Lane for this race seems fair.

We add the top slice of our sandwich just 10 minutes later, in the Earl of Sefton Stakes back at Newmarket. It's a race made up chiefly of the usual suspects, which is why last year's Dante winner Bonfire stands out so far. He admittedly failed to build on that in two subsequent starts, while the form of the race was hardly stellar, but Bonfire has always looked a 120-plus performer in the making and fresh may be the time to catch him. If he's the horse he was (and, of course, fit enough to do himself justice), then Bonfire shouldn't have much problem making a winning return.

Timeform UK SmartPlays

Back Move In Time @ 5.14/1 in the 15:30 Newmarket
Back Sandy Lane @ 2.56/4 in the 16:30 Ripon
Back Bonfire @ 3.259/4 in the 16:40 Newmarket