Hot To Trot: Lightning can strike again for Lacey

Jumps trainer: Nick Williams

The Nick Williams yard has enjoyed a good start to 2018, with Agrapart's victory in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham the undoubted highlight. The trainer already has six winners to his name since the start of January - a terrific return considering he saddled just 19 winners in the entire 2016/17 campaign - and will be hoping to add to his tally with Esprit de Somoza at Ludlow on Wednesday. He left his debut form well behind when getting off the mark at Huntingdon last month, creating a good impression for all that the underperformance of others made his task easier. He's not a typical juvenile, a National Hunt-bred with more long-term potential than most, and looks sure to go on improving.

Elsewhere on the card, Monsieur Lecoq could make his stable debut in the 2m novice hurdle. He offered disappointingly little when pulled up on his sole start for previous connections in France, but Williams has done well with similar types, and it would be no surprise if this juvenile were to prove capable of better. Overall, Williams is well on his way to the best season of his training career to date and, with current form in mind, all his runners in the next few weeks will be worth a second look.

Flat trainer: Mark Johnston

Mark Johnston can seemingly do no wrong at present, with seven winners from his last 16 runners at the time of writing. That figure includes Ravenhoe, who took advantage of his falling mark to resume winning ways under 7 lb claimer Oliver Stammers at Wolverhampton on Friday evening, and looks likely to be turned out quickly in his follow-up bid (holds entries back at Wolverhampton on Wednesday and Chelmsford on Thursday). He did, admittedly, have the run of the race last time, but it was at least a step back in the right direction, and he remains potentially well treated on his best form.

Poet's Society was also a winner of his most recent outing at Chelmsford, staying on to lead close home and showing a good attitude in the process. That was a belated first crack at seven furlongs and it appeared to suit him well, so a 4 lb rise in the weights might not be enough to stop him following up back over that trip, also at Wolverhampton on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Zadorra was well backed to make a winning debut at Chelmsford recently, but she was far too green to show anything, ultimately fading to finish sixth. She is clearly thought capable of better, and can show the benefit of that first run with a better effort at Newcastle on Thursday. 

Under the radar: Tom Lacey

At the time of writing, Tom Lacey has saddled three winners from his last 11 runners, and two of that trio could be out again in the next seven days. Firstly, Colt Lightning showed improved form to win a novice handicap at Hereford last time, disputing the lead from four out and keeping on gamely to hold the late thrust of Odello. The step up in trip coupled with the emphasis on stamina appeared to suit him well and, while a 7 lb hike in the weights makes life tougher, he looks sure to give another good account if taking up his entry at Southwell on Monday.

Similar comments also apply to Vado Forte, who won a 17-runner novice handicap at Warwick last time, travelling smoothly into contention and quickly clearing away once asked for his effort by Robert Dunne. That was just his second start in handicaps and, though he enjoyed the run of the race, the son of Walk In The Park is likely to have more to offer again, given the chance to show it from 10 lb higher at Carlisle on Wednesday.