Mark Johnston, ready to swing back into action with the biggest Flat team in the north when the new turf season opens at Doncaster on Thursday, has good prospects of posting an advance winner at Lingfield tomorrow.

The Middleham trainer saddles my Nap selection Golden Quest in the Perfect Panes Handicap and Joe Fanning's mount is worthy of close attention.

Unplaced on his only outing last season on turf, Golden Quest ran out a six-lengths winner on his reapperance on Wolverhampton's Fibresand circuit earlier this month.

The three-year-old now has to prove himself on Lingfield's much quicker Polytrack surface, but, with only two outings under his belt, he remains open to considerable improvement and looks an exciting horse in the making.

It would come as no surprise to see him obliging again in this stronger company.

Nor would it come as any surprise to see Johnston rattling-up 100 winners again on turf this year.

The all-conquering handler has made a habit of reaching the century each season with his powerful string, which this year includes such Classic hopes as Attraction, Pearl Of Love and Lucky Story.

Whatever the outcome of his Lingfield raid tomorrow, Mark Johnston looks a man to keep on the right side in the weeks and months ahead.

Irish jockey Johnny Murtagh, after ending his long association with John Oxx, will be riding in Britain on a much more regular basis this season, having been snapped-up by David Loder and his Newmarket neighbour James Fanshawe as their first-choice jockey.

Murtagh, who will be in action at Doncaster this weekend, can make his presence felt at Lingfield on Lucayan Monarch, a tricky, but talented performer, who has what it takes to lift the opening Lenham Winners Cup Handicap.

Instructor, who showed plenty of promise last season, on turf and sand, is an interesting runner on his reappearance in the EES Lightning Maiden Stakes,.

Recent course winner Loch Laird has excellent prospects of defying a 6lb penalty in the Churchill Insurance Handicap. George Baker has the mount.

Over the sticks at Chepstow, the in-form Richard Johnson can score on Legal Lunch in the Laser Handicap Hurdle. The nine-year-old has won two of his last three starts and should go well again.

The Piercefield Novices' Handicap Chase will not take a great deal of winning and McSnappy could be the one to be on.

Seamus Mullins' gelding barely broke sweat to beat two modest rivals on this course recently, when he gave an impeccable round of jumping.

Another clear round tomorrow should ensure he takes a hand in the finish, with Andrew Thornton again in the saddle.

Wednesday's tips:

Lingfield

1.25 Lucayan Monarch, 1.55 Warden Complex, 2.25 Raheel, 3.00 Loch Laird, 3.35 Trick Cyclist, 4.10 Golden Quest (Nap), 4.45 Private Seal, 5.20 Thunderclap.

Chepstow

2.05 Bright Green, 2.40 Apple Joe, 3.15 Gregorian, 3.50 McSnappy, 4.25 Legal Lunch, 5.00 O'Toole, 5.30 Shellin Hill.

Tomorrow's other scheduled meeting is at Towcester.

Updated: 12:05 Tuesday, March 23, 2004