Marshman, a winner at York earlier this month, can clinch the feature race at Lingfield tomorrow.

The £20,000 ladbrokes.com Handicap over seven furlongs is the target for the Mark Tompkins-trained gelding, a previous winner over this course and distance.

A fluent success on Knavesmire advertised Marshman's well-being, and the five-year-old confirmed his state of health with a subsequent decent effort in defeat at Newmarket, where he found the draw against him before finishing fifth to Stream Of Gold.

At his best in a fast-run race, Marshman should have requirements to his liking tomorrow, and he is napped to come out on top. Philip Robinson, who knows him well, takes the mount.

Sharplaw Star looks the class act in the Eleanor Harrington Conditions Stakes over five furlongs.

A high-ranking filly, who chased home Damson and Soar in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, Sharplaw Star was sidelined for the rest of the summer, but returned to action to win a minor race at Beverley last month.

William Haggas's two-year-old has since been denied a couple of tempting big-race opportunities because of soft ground, but she should be compensated tomorrow by posting her third win of the campaign.

Ed Dunlop, who saddles Ouija Board in the Breeders' Cup on Saturday, has a smaller target at Lingfield but should be on the mark with Mith Hill in the Barclaycard Business Handicap over a mile and a half.

A Beverley winner in the summer, Mith Hill scored over this course and distance three weeks ago. Raised only 2lb for that success, he has every chance of obliging again tomorrow.

Over the jumps at Stratford, the Claydon Horse Exercisers Beginners' Chase promises to an illuminating affair and Bourbon Manhattan will not be short of supporters.

The six-year-old, a useful winning hurdler, has always been held in very high regard by his trainer Alan King, who has been itching to switch him to fences.

That time has now arrived and Bourbon Manhattan, who has the size and scope of a chaser, is selected to make a winning debut over the major obstacles.

In the European Breeders' Fund Novices' Hurdle (Qualifier) Riders Revenge is worthy of attention.

The six-year-old showed promise in both his starts last season and looks the type to make a name for himself this winter for trainer Venetia Williams.

Thursday's tips:

Lingfield

1.50 Royal Jelly, 2.20 Celtique, 2.50 Daniel Thomas, 3.20 Sharplaw Star, 3.50 Mith Hill, 4.20 Marshman (Nap), 4.50 Roman Quintet, 5.20 Dubai Dreamer.

Stratford

2.30 Old Marsh, 3.00 Antony Ebeneezer, 3.30 Bourbon Manhattan, 4.00 Riders Revenge, 4.30 Dads Lad, 5.00 Classify.

Tomorrow's other meeting is at Taunton.

Updated: 12:34 Wednesday, October 27, 2004