Sam King returns with two selections on Thursday…

Salisbury 4.50 – Small Fry

Conditions will certainly be testing at Salisbury this afternoon but that shouldn't be a problem for Small Fry, who appears to hold excellent claims in the concluding one-mile six-furlong handicap. 

Gary and Josh Moore's progressive stayer helped send Chester legend Franny Norton off into retirement in fine style when completing the middle leg of the rider's farewell treble last month. 

There's no doubt Franny Norton used all of his Chester experience when getting first run on the second-place horse that occasion and a 6lb rise in the weights will demand more. However, the runner-up, Tailorman, has since gone on to score at Kempton and give the form a boost. 

While this represents a step up in class, the Moore team did have him entered Class 3 company at Ascot tomorrow, giving the impression that they clearly think he has plenty more to offer. 

Main market rival Road To Wembley has yet to encounter slower ground and with that comment applicable to plenty of horses in this contest, I'm expecting Small Fry to complete the hat-trick. 

Odds – 9/4

Newcastle 6.40 – Rayat 

Saeed bin Suroor sends a handful of horses to Newcastle this evening, all with live chances, but it's Rayat that catches my eye. 

Despite just seven career outings to date, the gelded son of Starspangledbanner has already run over trips between six furlongs and a mile and a quarter. However, I firmly believe sprinting is his game and he shaped well over six furlongs when sixth at Ripon in late August. 

The undulations of Ripon didn't look to suit on that occasion and with the return to an all-weather surface a likely plus, combined with the application of first-time cheekpieces, he can be very competitive off a mark of 77 with Danny Tudhope taking over in the saddle. 

Odds – 3/1