SOME tip-top sprinters clash in the opener at Newcastle this afternoon this afternoon and I fancy Somnus to come out in front.

The line-up for the Group 3 Foster's Lager Chipchase Stakes (1.55) includes Ayr Gold hero Quito, mud-loving, Tadcaster-trained Welsh Emperor, plus Mick Channon's classy colt Royal Millennium.

But as far as I'm concerned the "big daddy" of the speed ranks remains Somnus, who showed he was king when blitzing the likes of Oasis Dream and Airwave to grab Group 1 glory in the Stanley Leisure Cup at Haydock last September.

Tim Easterby's stable-star has to shoulder a 6lb penalty for that high-profile success but he's built like a bulldozer and will strip far fitter for his promising comeback run at York in May.

Chris Thornton's had no luck at all this term, especially with Lets Roll (4.05), who has agonisingly been made to settle for second spot on three of his four outings.

In a bid to change the fortunes of Lets Roll, Thornton has booked the up-and-coming young apprentice jockey Paul Mulrennan to partner his horse. Paul not only has a canny knack of producing his mounts where it matters, he also takes an invaluable 5lb of off the selection's back.

At Chester, Doctor Hilary's (2.30) opponents are going to have to take their medicine if, as expected, the two-year-old bolts out of the favoured stall two to record a pillar-to-post victory in the EBF Novice Stakes.

Michael Bell's raider adopted similar tactics when caught right on the jam-stick at Doncaster in May, a defeat that has prompted connections to fit a first-time visor to Doctor Hilar to keep his mind fully on the job in hand.

Although David Nicholls' stable failed to land a substantial ante-post gamble with Wanchai Lad (4.15) at York recently, handsome compensation may well await in the £14,000 Warwick International Handicap

In common with Doctor Hilary, Wanchai Lad has been lucky with the draw and emerging from stall number four, rider Alex Greaves won't be taking any prisoners once the gates fly open for the five-furlong contest.

Tuesday's nap, Jedeyyd (5.00), didn't enjoy the clearest of passages at Beverley and trainer Michael Dods has responded by running his well-handicapped gelding in the seven-furlong Bango Apprentice Handicap at Newmarket.

I've a feeling today's straight track is going to suit Jedeydd far better than Beverley's awkward twists and turns, therefore he's definitely worth another each-way shot at potentially rewarding odds.

Both Dods and Chris Wall have their respective teams in prime nick, a point which could be underlined in spectacular style if Wall has an across-the-card double with Little Venice (4.25) and Windsor-bound, Czarina Waltz (5.05).

Despite Little Venice's failure to justify favouritism last time out, she must still be regarded as a leading contender for the Landcom Fillies' Handicap at Headquarters, while Czarina Waltz is my idea of the banker at Windsor after her splendid reappearance when second over course and distance.

Night owls have the chance to keep on punting at Doncaster and Lingfield, the former venue arguably offering the best chance to bolster the bank account.

One particular old favourite to catch the eye is Mark Buckley's enigmatic yet useful speedster Armagnac (7.50), just the sort of beast to pop up at a juicy starting price in the six-furlong Finningly Handicap.

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