All-weather regular bids to make it three from three for James Owen - punting pointers for Thursday's action

Chelmsford: Carlton seeking hat-trick for James Owen

All-weather regular Carlton has been rejuvenated after switching yards and will attempt to continue his perfect record for James Owen in the 1m6f handicap (6.30). 

Previously trained by Tracy Waggott, for whom he scored once in 20 starts, he has now rattled off two wins in quick succession for Owen and his mark has climbed from 48 to 55 in less than a month.

Champion apprentice Sean D Bowen has shed his 3lb claim but retains the ride on the five-year-old, who is the sole course-and-distance winner in the field. Alex The Great and Black Smoke have both scored over this trip and could be his chief rivals.

Owen said: "He's in good form and won his first two starts for us, so he goes back for the hat-trick over course and distance. Sean won on him last time and we have a nice draw in stall three, so he's got every chance."

Carlton18:30 Chelmsford (A.W)

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Jky: Sean D Bowen Tnr: James Owen

Lingfield: can Charlie Johnston continue his purple patch?

Charlie Johnston has enjoyed a fruitful start to the year and will attempt to continue his red-hot form with Knockbrex in the opening 1m2f handicap (11.58).

The Middleham-based trainer is operating at a 40 per cent strike-rate (4-10) this month and his five-year-old makes a swift return to action after winning at the track last week. The son of Ulysses posted a career-best Racing Post Rating on the all-weather, defeating the Andrew Balding-trained Hebridean Nomad by two and a half lengths.

Johnston has a 67 per cent strike-rate (2-3) in handicaps for three-year-olds and older at the course this season, and Knockbrex is the only runner in the contest to have won last time out.

The Jennie Candlish-trained Vibrato graces Lingfield for the first time having already scored on the all-weather at Southwell, Newcastle and Wolverhampton, while course-and-distance winner Epsom Faithfull could pose a threat for trainer Pat Phelan. Six-time winner Hitched and No Surrender complete the small field.

Knockbrex11:58 Lingfield (A.W)

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Jky: Jack Mitchell Tnr: Charlie Johnston

Lingfield stat: Andrew Balding a trainer to note

Andrew Balding has a 50 per cent strike-rate in open all-weather maidens, with six winners from 12 starts in the last five seasons. He saddles Charging Bull – who finished midfield on his rules debut at Kempton last month – in the 6f maiden (1.28).

Charging Bull13:28 Lingfield (A.W)

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Jky: Jason Watson Tnr: Andrew Balding

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1.58 Lingfield: can Sergio Parisse emerge from the scrum to claim victory on his first handicap start? 

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