HARD-AS-NAILS handicapper Robandela (1.45) is fancied to complete a quick-fire double at Newmarket this afternoon just 48 hours after hitting the bullseye at Hamilton on Monday.

Robandela, who won no less than seven races last season, has not been able to sustain that sort of momentum this year having shot up in the weights after such a stunning run of success.

But like so many of Mark Johnston's middle-distance horses he just keeps on coming back for more and sooner or later was bound to get back in the winners' circle.

And Robandela did it in some style at the Scottish track, careering away from the opposition in a fashion that suggested his 6lb penalty would not be sufficient to stop him following up in today's NGK Spark Plugs Handicap.

A couple of 2003 Classic race hopefuls turn out for the Group 3 Somerville Tattersall Stakes including John Dunlop's Muqbil (2.50). Muqbil, from the first crop of Godolphin stalwart, Swain, absolutely hacked up on his debut in a Listed event at Newbury in August.

Muqbil quickened off a pedestrian early pace in the manner of a very useful colt, and although he now has a stern opponent in Aidan O'Brien's highly-rated Marino Marini, he still looks well up to the task.

The EBF Jersey Fillies' Nursery is a cracking 18-runner affair in which Mick Channon fields two of the leading contenders, Peripheral and Aries (3.25).

It's the second time the pair have clashed recently, Peripheral getting the better of the argument at Chester last time out. But in mitigation Aries can be excused the defeat after being caught napping at the start.

However, given the benefit of a level break, plus a significant 6lb pull in the weights, sweet revenge is a distinct possibility in the £33,000 race.

Royal trainer Roger Charlton sends a rare raiding party to Newcastle and should not go home empty-handed courtesy of Donizetti (2.25) and Temeritas (5.10). Both made the frame on their respective debuts and like virtually all of Charlton's two-year-olds should improve considerably now that they have actually tasted the heat of battle.

A low draw is vital on the straight course in sprints boosting the prospects no end for Penny Ha'penny, due to burst out of the number one stall in the hands of Darryll Holland for the five furlong Renault Clio Van Handicap. The selection earmarked herself as a filly to follow after blowing away the opposition in a sprint maiden at Beverley on September 18th.

* British horses are expected to swell the starting line-ups of the four Group races at Longchamp on Saturday. The Group Two Prix Daniel Wildenstein attracted 13 British acceptors at the first forfeit stage. Mark Johnston accounts for three of these in Desert Deer, Love Regardless and Gateman.

The others in the one mile contest are Cornelius (Paul Cole), Binary File (John Gosden), Suggestive (Willie Haggas), Ratio (Ian Balding), Golden Silca (John Dunlop), Fallen Star (John Dunlop), Redback (Richard Hannon), Kootenay (Dunlop) plus the Godolphin pair, Masterful and Slickly.

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