FORCEFUL APPEAL should appreciate a slight drop in class as he tackles the Ladbrokes Handicap at Lingfield.

Simon Dow’s charge was a winner on his return from a lengthy lay-off at Wolverhampton in January, overcoming a five-month absence to see off Al’s Memory by half a length.

He travelled well that day and looked good value for the margin as he was not hard ridden to get his head in front.

Dow felt suitably confident to up Forceful Appeal a couple of notches but that decision did not really pay dividends as he never really looked like troubling the principals in a competitive class two heat here.

His four-length defeat at the hands of Alfred Hutchinson was hardly a disgrace but he was beaten a long way out and the handicapper clearly felt he may have been punching above his weight as he subsequently dropped him 4lb.

That leaves Forceful Appeal on a mark of 81 for this event and given he has scored in handicap company off 2lb higher, it could be that he is still reasonably well treated for this.

Candy Kitten can finally enjoy her turn in the sun in the 32Red Free £10 Bonus Fillies’ Handicap.

The daughter of Assertive has had to play second fiddle on her two most recent outings, finishing a length behind Dansili Dutch last November before being beaten the same distance by Mr Red Clubs on her return late last month.

She ran right up to her best that day, just failing to find the necessary extra gear in the dying strides – something that could be put down to a little bit of rustiness after a few weeks off.

Candy Kitten is unchanged on a mark of 67 for this race and that looks a thoroughly winnable perch.

Pinotage seemed to appreciate a return to the level at Wolverhampton and comes back to that track for the 32Red Free £10 Bonus Handicap.

Three runs over hurdles yielded little joy but his second place at Dunstall Park seemed to signal a bit of a return to form, even if at a rather lowly level.

The six-year-old has just two career wins to his credit and the last of those came at Lingfield back in 2011.

However, Pinotage triumphed off a mark of 58 that time and given he is 2lb lower here, that concession makes him an attractive proposition.