ORNE is in ominous form following a recent trip to Qatar and will return to home soil with the BetMGM Spring Cup Stakes in sight.
The John and Thady Gosden-trained colt will arrive at Lingfield on the back of an impressive second-placed finish in the Al Rayyan Mile in Doha, finishing two lengths behind winner Oddyssey in the local Group Two race.
Orne has already had Group Three success on these shores at the end of last year, when he made all to claim the Betfred Horris Hill Stakes at Newmarket in November.
Both results came via differing tactics under the guidance of Robert Havlin, who has ridden on all four of the colt’s outings, proving that the three-year-old is adaptable.
He prefers to be among the front-runners, however, just like his sire Acclamation – and Havlin should ensure Orne will be prominent at the all-weather track.
Orne has already experienced success on Polytrack in his short career - winning at Kempton on debut in September last year - and should be in the mix for top honours despite carrying top weight.
Hollie Doyle has been tasked with getting Havana Force into the winner’s enclosure at the third time of asking in the BetMGM: It’s Showtime Restricted Maiden Stakes.
The Marco Botti filly has been knocking on the door after a third-placed finish at Chelmsford in January was followed by second in Newcastle last month.
The three-year-old came through strongly to head Duke Wellington and claim the runner-up spot last time out behind Twirler, who has won again since, and can hopefully use that experience to secure an elusive first victory.
Tortured Soul is eyeing up a hat-trick in the Build Your Acca With BetUK “Hands And Heels” Apprentice Handicap following a fruitful transition to Tony Carroll’s yard.
The four-year-old gelding made the switch from Irish trainer Ger Lyons to Mill House Racing in November and has subsequently won four of his five starts.
His most recent victory came over this mile-and-a-half distance at Kempton last week and it is hard to see Tortured Soul not being there or thereabouts again in the Lingfield opener.
At Wincanton, Windance will look to bounce back to form in the Newt In Somerset Handicap Chase following an unfortunate return to action last time out.
The nine-year-old, who was returning after 354 days, was eight lengths clear before he hit the last fence and unseated jockey Chad Bament at Plumpton last month.
Windance won over course and distance under Sam Twiston-Davies in March 2023 and they are paired once more as Anthony Honeyball targets another victory for the gelding.
