MICHAEL HAMMOND'S decision to drop Tidy (4.55) back in trip to seven furlongs looks like a recipe for success in the Racing UK Handicap at Newmarket.

Tidy, who went off a well-backed 6-1 favourite over one mile at Newbury last Saturday, appeared to run out of puff in the closing stages, giving rise to the theory that the four-year-old didn't quite get home.

Admittedly conditions were absolutely appalling following the rain which cascaded down on Berkshire all day.

But analysis of Tidy's previous form does rather point to the fact he'll be at his most effective over today's distance, therefore a small each-way wager on the northern horse has a fair chance of reward.

Fellow Middleham raider, Go Padero (3.45), could be all the rage with the early birds following his slightly wayward win at Musselburgh a fortnight ago.

Having missed virtually the entire season through injury, punters clearly expected Go Padero to be seriously in need of the outing fitness-wise, seeing as he was sent off at generous odds of 16-1 on his comeback at the Scottish track.

Not for the first time, the market underestimated Mark Johnston's canny ability to get his horses in A1 shape on the home gallops, because despite veering both left and right under pressure, Joe Fanning still managed to edge out some useful rivals.

Go Padero, a rangy individual who doesn't mind a soft surface, also enjoys the significant advantage of having far less miles on the clock compared with the majority of the opposition in the Best Bet John Handicap, many of whom have had to endure a long and arduous campaign.

The £45,000 totesport Silver Trophy at Chepstow is the sort of red-hot handicap hurdle to get National Hunt die-hards drooling.

Mr Ed stands proudly at the head of the weights having won his last couple of races over timber, not to mention narrowly failing to land a colossal ante-post gamble when having to settle for second place on the Flat in the Cesarewitch this month.

It was a very brave effort by the talented six-year-old, but I'm fearful that he may have left his race behind at Newmarket, therefore preference is for the one at the foot of the handicap, Spring Pursuit (2.25).

Timmy Murphy gave his fellow riders a master class in jockey-ship when partnering Spring Pursuit to a cosy four-length victory over track and trip on the latest outing.

For my money Murphy could have won by 15 lengths if Spring Pursuit had not pulled so hard throughout the first three-quarters of the contest, an energy-sapping exercise caused entirely by a funereal early gallop.

I reckon the quality of this line-up will ensure a true championship pace, which is certain to play right into the lap of the nap selection, fancied to produce a lethal burst of acceleration once the winning post comes into view.

Despite a huge lack of experience, Ruth Davidson demonstrated a cool head on young shoulders by pointing Rosalyons (3.05) in the right direction to collect at Kelso's most recent meeting.

Like all sporting activities, nothing breeds success like success in horse racing, so, barring accidents, Ruth and Rosalyons hold decent prospects of completing a memorable double at the Borders' venue in the Graham Todd Haulage Handicap Hurdle.

* Yesterday's Gallops Whisper, Turpin Green, demonstrated the value of the WINNER FINDER service, with a 25-1 success at Uttoxeter.

Get more on racing at our Racing North site.