Lord Riddiford to shake off bad luck

L byORD RIDDIFORD can make amends for a slice of bad luck last time out landing the Betway Handicap at Wolverhampton.

The six-year-old was sent off the second-favourite on his most recent run at Chelmsford, but he ducked as the stalls opened, giving his rider no chance of maintaining the partnership.

He is consequently much better judged on his penultimate spin, when he chased home the reopposing Venturous over today’s same five furlongs.

While Venturous had a length and a quarter in hand, the distance probably does not tell the full story as it was later reported Lord Riddiford had bled, so perhaps his effort should be marked up a little.

He is 3lb better off with Venturous this time around and with third-placed Exalted Angel having boosted the form with a Listed win last weekend too, Lord Riddiford must have strong credentials.

ATACAMENA should improve for her initial outing as she tackles the

Play Ladbrokes 5-A-side On Football Novice Stakes.

Beaten eight lengths into fourth at this track last month, Atacamena cut out plenty of the running, setting a steady gallop before a few speedier rivals swallowed her up in the home straight.

Atacamena looked a bit green when asked to go about her business and the experience should stand her in good stead.

The equine CHARLIE FELLOWES can pick up where he left off last year with victory in the Get Your Ladbrokes Daily Odds

Boost Handicap at Lingfield.

He finally opened his account at the seventh time of asking at Beverley last September, but once he found the winning groove, he certainly capitalised by following up at Wolverhampton in October and Southwell in November.

The application of cheekpieces on the Westwood was seemingly the turning point as he powered home by seven lengths, followed by seven and a half lengths at Dunstall Park.

Admittedly his Southwell success was not quite so visually taking, but giving weight all round, he still won with something in hand and a mark of 92 looks well within his compass.

Mikel Arteta is the latest name to push for better protection against online abuse after revealing he and his family have been targeted recently.

The Arsenal manager said he no longer uses his Twitter account after receiving abuse on social media.

Arteta, pictured, said he prefers not to read anything about himself on social media after flagging abuse aimed at him and his family to Arsenal.

“I think if we would be reading everything that is written about us, probably we’d have to stay in bed a lot of days,” he said.

“I think we are all exposed in this industry to that and that’s why I prefer not to read because it would affect me personally much more the moment somebody wants to touch my family.

“The club was aware of it and we tried to do something about it. And that’s it. We have to live with it.

“It is not going to stop tomorrow, we know that, but medium, long-term can we do something about it? That’s what I am pushing for.”

Liam Boyce fires in Hearts’ equaliser from the penalty spot to earn the Championship leaders a 1-1 draw with Queen of the South at Palmertson last night. Ayo Obileye had put the hosts ahead with a penalty late in the first half.