Torrential rain in southern England has turned the ground soft at Newmarket, which is just what northern raider Lingo requires in advance of his return to action tomorrow.

The three-year-old, trained near Thirsk by Lynda Ramsden, is a confirmed mud-lover and conditions will be very much to his liking as he lines-up for his first race for more than 10 weeks.

The £18,000 Pearl and Coutts Newmarket Rated Handicap over a mile and a half is the target for Lingo, who has won twice this season.

Paul Hanagan, who was on the mark at Leicester on Monday and again at Ayr yesterday aboard Clarinch Claymore in the feature race, takes the mount on Lingo, and I expect him to maintain his winning run.

The easing of the ground will also suit Welsh Emperor in the Pearl and Coutts Showcase Rated Handicap.

Trained near Tadcaster by Tom Tate, the three-year-old proved his liking for soft ground when winning at Haydock in mid-summer.

Although not seen out since, Welsh Emperor deserves every respect here with Dale Gibson, his regular jockey, in the saddle.

The Lanwades Stud Severals Stakes, for fillies and mares, looks an ideal opportunity for Rosa Parks to return to the winning trail. Lightly-raced this season, Rosa Parks has run two solid races in defeat since her opening success.

Runner-up in the Galtres Stakes at York in August, Rosa Parks finished third to Miss Corniche at Yarmouth last time.

Channel 4 cameras will be showing four races from Newmarket, the three already mentioned and the Aylesfield Farms Stud Nursery.

This six furlongs dash looks wide-open, but Orion's Belt makes plenty of appeal from the foot of the handicap and is awarded the Nap vote.

Toby Balding's youngster finished in eye-catching style over five furlongs at Sandown last time when beaten less than two lengths into fifth place by Catmint.

This extra furlong and easier ground should suit Orion's Belt, who will again be ridden by 7lb claiming apprentice Richard Thomas.

As a consistent performer, Thaqib gets top vote this season and John Dunlop's admirable three-year-old has good prospects of adding another win to his scorecard by winning the Thoroughbred Breeders Association Handicap.

Richard Hills has the mount on the Sussex raider, who has finished in the first two in his last five starts.

Thursday's tips:

Newmarket

1.15 Jagger, 1.45 Lingo, 2.15 Rosa Parks, 2.50 Orion's Belt (Nap), 3.25 Welsh Emperor, 4.00 Major Cavelli, 4.30 Thaqib.

Southwell

1.25 Yorkie, 1.55 Socialise, 2.25 Hormuz, 3.00 Cark, 3.35 Sal's Gal, 4.10 Solomon's Mine, 4.40 Platinum Boy, 5.10 Parisian Elegance.

- Columbine, the Nap selection of Evening Press tipster Tom O'Ryan for yesterday's racing, won at 16-1 in the last race at Ayr.

Updated: 12:15 Wednesday, October 16, 2002