The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Acker Bilk will call tune at Southwell
Tips: Quick return to course can pay off despite 6lb penalty
ACKER BILK won as he liked at Southwell less than a week ago and can strike again while the iron is hot in the Betway Middle Distance Handicap.
The son of Rip Van Winkle broke his duck in some style at Wolverhampton in early January and following two solid runner-up efforts, the application of cheekpieces eked out enough improvement to help him get back in the winner’s enclosure.
Assuming the headgear does the same job at the second time of asking, he must have every chance of following up under the 6lb penalty.
VOLATILE can continue his tremendous run of form in the sunbets. co.uk Handicap.
The four-year-old’s career looked to going backwards last summer, but he appears to have been completely reinvigorated since moving to Jamie Osborne’s yard for 32,000 guineas last October.
Since making a pleasing debut for his new connections at Lingfield early in the new year, Volatile has racked up a hattrick of victories, including two on the Fibresand at Southwell.
Despite not having his own way out in front like he had on his previous two outings, Osborne’s charge showed a willing attitude to prevail once more on his latest start a fortnight ago and in current mood a 5lb hike might not be enough to stop him going in again.
THE GLASGO WARRIOR looks set to claim a third Newcastle success in the Betway Handicap.
Jim Goldie’s charge won here in December and January and ran a perfectly sound race when third on his latest visit to Gosforth Park last month.
He occupied the same finishing position at Wolverhampton last time out and, with Phil Dennis taking a handy 3lb off his back, this looks a good opportunity for him to get back on the winning trail.
AMULETUM is of definite interest in the 32Red.com Fillies’ Handicap.
The New Approach filly shaped with promise on each of her two starts at Dundalk for Mick Halford and Godolphin and changed hands for 75,000 guineas in December.
There was plenty to like about her first start for Peter Chapple-Hyam over the course and distance just under three weeks ago as she finished third and she makes her handicap debut off what appears a very workable mark of 65. SELECTIONS
HEREFORD: 2.15 Salix, 2.45 Geordie Des Champs, 3.15 Jurby, 3.45 Mrs Burbidge, 4.15 Bridane Rebel, 4.45 Pink Tara, 5.15 Scales.
NEWCASTLE: 5.40 Bal De Rio, 6.10 The glasgow warrior ,6.40 Ghostly Arc, 7.10 Amuletum, 7.40 Samharry, 8.10 Lucky Lucky Man.
SOUTHWELL: 2.00 Space War, 2.30 Big Brave Bob, 3.00 Kingstreet Lady, 3.30 ACKER BILK (NAP), 4.00 Volatile, 4.30 Spun Gold, 5.00 Romantic, 5.30 Port Soif.
DOUBLE: Acker Bilk and Volatile.