Friday horse racing tips: Dave Nevison marks your card

When Motawaafeq hits form, he usually holds it for a spell and he can be backed to follow up last weekend’s success without a penalty.

The ground will be just a little quicker over the same course and distance so that shouldn’t be any concern, while Frederick Larson is actually able to claim 2lb more as this is not an apprentices’ event. Motawaafeq is tough to beat when on a roll.

There are few of his rivals that can be deemed as in form, but a move for William Haggas’ lightly-raced Al Tarmaah would be one to look out for – he disappointed on his only run this season, but he was an expensive purchase and has the tongue strap applied here with a very promising apprentice booked.

The Gosforth Park Cup used to be a much bigger deal than it is these days, but this sprint does have a very tight look about it. However, I’m hoping that the first-time switch to the all-weather might just make the difference to Sunday Sovereign, who has some very lofty entries this summer.

He went off 13/8F for the Norfolk at Royal Ascot two years ago when trained in Ireland but didn’t prove up to it, while he has been lightly-raced since moving to England. He showed his first proper form for Tim Easterby in a similar grade of race at York last time and, if back on track, can show himself a class act in this grade.

Brought along in typical Sir Michael Stoute fashion, this three-year-old now gets the weight-for-age allowance and looks well in against some largely exposed - if useful - older handicappers.

Mashhoor probably should have won last time at Chelmsford, but went for home too early and was mugged close home at odds-on. He is gaining valuable experience with each run and, being out of a Montjeu mare, certainly looks ready for this step-up in trip and will get further than this 10 furlongs in time.

Mashhoor’s novice win at Nottingham in April has worked out well and a mark of 87 could be lenient on handicap debut. This track may well suit better than Chelmsford last time.