RACING TIPS: Rock and roll with Eddystone at Lingfield

The five-year-old began his racing life in France before moving to Johnny Murtagh's yard in Ireland, where he made quite an impact last term.

Eddystone Rock raced seven times for the Murtagh team and his three victories certainly make for a pleasing strike rate when combined with three other placed efforts.

He scored his first career success in an average Wexford maiden before running out a six-length winner of a Navan handicap and beating subsequent Listed score and Group Three second Laganore on his final start at Tipperary back in August.

The Rock Of Gibraltar gelding won with a fair bit in hand that day, so a 5lb rise to a mark of 100 does not seem overly harsh given the runner-up has massively boosted the form.

Now with John Best, Eddystone Rock has a high enough rating to make him a bit tricky to place but this event looks an ideal starting point. Kieren Fox rides today's nap selection.

SKY BALLERINA scored on her handicap debut at Wolverhampton earlier this month and she can defy a 3lb rise to win again at the Surrey venue.

Simon Crisford's charge lines up in the opening 32Red.com Fillies' Handicap after improving on three maiden runs to see off Seaview by a length and a quarter on her most recent outing.

Racing off a mark of 69, Sky Ballerina saw out the seven-furlong trip well that day and looked capable of stepping up again on that performance.

A switch up to a mile makes sense and it will be disappointing if Sky Ballerina is not in the mix under Martin Lane.

MERDON CASTLE has fallen right down the ratings and can take advantage of his lowest-ever mark in the Betway Best Odds Guaranteed Plus Handicap at Newcastle's evening meeting.

Formerly trained by David Elsworth, Merdon Castle was snapped up for just 14,000 guineas by Ruth Carr back in October 2015 but he certainly has not covered his cost yet.

Rated as highly as 99 as a three-year-old, Merdon Castle is now five years old and plying his trade off a career-low perch of 78.

His latest effort when beaten just over three lengths represented his best run for quite a while but the handicapper still dropped him 2lb to his current mark and Merdon Castle can make use of that gift with James Sullivan on board.

Dan Skelton can make the trip to Catterick worthwhile by saddling TWO TAFFS to victory as Harry Skelton rides in North Yorkshire.

He has some nice bits of form in the book and, after having to settle for second behind Poker School recently, he can enjoy his moment in the sun in the racinguk.com Novices' Chase.

His length defeat behind Brain Power over hurdles back in 2015 now reads very well indeed, while he also beat the well-regarded Missed Approach in that sphere.

Pitched into a competitive heat at Kempton on Boxing Day on what was his fencing bow, Two Taffs acquitted himself well and looked as though he would make strides for the run.

JALEO crashed out at the first in the Lanzarote Hurdle last time but can get a confidence-boosting verdict in the Bagpipers Handicap Hurdle as Alex Ferguson takes the reins.

He had looked progressive for Ben Pauling in his previous run when winning at Lingfield and it would be harsh to hold that mistake against him.

At Ludlow, NEFYN BAY is the pick in the Perrott Properties Chase.

He has filled the runner-up spot on his last two starts, most recently when edged out by just half a length after forcing the pace at Catterick.

The winner that day had to dig pretty deep to get the better of Nefyn Bay and while a 5lb rise is not ideal, Donald McCain's runner can respond to the challenge with Will Kennedy in the saddle.

TOBERDOWNEY can make a victorious switch to the handicapping sphere by winning the Racing UK Mares' Handicap Hurdle under Leighton Aspell.

Oliver Sherwood's charge came good at the third time of asking at Wincanton on Boxing Day, just edging out Sister Sibyl by a nose on the line.

She was returning from a six-week break that day, so could well strip a bit fitter for the run, and a starting mark of 115 looks well within her compass.