ONENIGHTINLISBON (1.20) should on all known evidence make a bold bid to resume her winning ways in todayfs six-furlong Novice Stakes at Lingfield.

Karl Burkefs juvenile picked up a couple of races at Musselburgh and Beverley during a mid-summer purple patch, but despite having five further bites of the cherry, she has failed to get her head back in front where it counts.

It costs a fair few bob in transport fees from Middleham to the Surrey venue, so connections will be hoping the consistent two-yearold can step up on her two latest outings which have frustratingly resulted in Onenightinlisbon having to settle for second spot.

Due to a clever piece of placing by Karl the selection appears to have a bit in hand on her three rivals.

A superior speed figure is significantly bolstered by the fact that apprentice jockey, Andrew Elliott, is able to lighten his partnerfs load by 5lb.

Racehorses are often flighty creatures, a point never better illustrated than by Sotik Starfs wayward antics when diving violently right-handed and nearly turning certain victory into narrow defeat on his most recent visit to the track.

Fortunately Peter Makinfs colt had established a big enough lead to repel the runner-up, Nawaadi, although as the pair flashed past the finishing post only a shorthead separated them.

Sotik Star (3.40) needs to be on his best behaviour if hefs to follow up by landing the one-mile Handicap, a tight-knit affair in which the three-year-old will be required to run as straight as a gun barrel if hefs to prevail.

Southwell specialist, Legal Lover, seems to hold a first-class chance of landing a fifth course success in the Target Express Handicap.

Russell Kennemore gave Reg Hollinsheadfs gelding an absolute peach of a ride when the combination scored over track and trip at the beginning of the month, booting Legal Lover (2.30) into an early lead which he never looked like relinquishing.

Andrew Thornton is set to return to the saddle tomorrow after recovering from a broken jaw.

Thornton fell from Honest Abe at Market Rasen on November 5 and had expected to be out for a month.

The experienced rider is keen to ride useful novice chaser My World, engaged to run at Plumpton tomorrow, for his boss Robert Alner.