Brighton preview: Marmot can score for trainer Roger Charlton

Trainer Roger Charlton has a tremendous record with his runners at Brighton, and Marmot can further enhance it with victory in the 1m 2f handicap on today’s card at the seaside venue (15.20).

The Beckhampton handler has a strike rate of 46 per cent at the track since 2000, saddling 18 winners and eight placed from 39 runners for a profit of £46.63 to a £1 level stake.

In Marmot, he has a lightly-raced colt who after shaping with promise in two runs as a juvenile opened his account on seasonal reappearance at Linfield when running on strongly to cosily land a 7f maiden contest.

The son of Champs Elysees was allotted what looked a lenient opening handicap mark of 73 on the back of that success, and sent off a well-backed 7/2 second favourite to follow-up in a competitive class 4 contest at Haydock.

Marmot failed to justify market support in finishing just seventh of 12 to Jumerai Glory, but was poorly placed and after finding himself at the rear of the field kept on inside the final furlong.

The three-year-old was very tenderly handled once it was clear he would not be winning, and definitely looks worth another chance to confirm earlier promise now dropped into class 5 company off the same mark.

This race is far less competitive, and connections are also now fitting Marmot with the cheekpieces for the first time.

If they have the desired effect I can see Marmot proving far too strong for his rivals in what looks a very winnable contest.

In the 7f handicap (16.20), Tropicana Bay can land the spoils for in-form trainer Roger Varian.

The filly shaped with plenty of promise in three runs last season, most notably when finishing strongly to go down by just 3/4 of a length to Mistrusting in a decent 6f maiden at Haydock.