Billyb is poised to extend his trainer Craig Lidster’s impressive recent run with a victory in the Find More Big Deals At BetUK Handicap (2.55) at Southwell today.
Lidster, based in Easingwold, has saddled three winners and three runners-up from just eight starters over the past 10 days, and Billyb looks well-placed to add to that tally.
A second-place finish over this course and distance last Saturday suggests he’s in fine form.
Billyb, who won on his only other visit to Rolleston, showed strong finishing speed under jockey Shane Gray, closing in to be beaten by just a length and three-quarters by the Mick Appleby-trained Royal Zabeel.
The winner is an improving, lightly raced horse, making Billyb’s effort even more credible.
Running off the same British Horseracing Authority mark of 82—set to rise by 1lb in the future—the son of Raven’s Pass is tipped to go one better this time.
Meanwhile, at Ffos Las, Haut Folin has strong claims in the Adept GRP Cabinets Handicap Chase (2.07).
Trained by Venetia Williams, who is also enjoying a successful spell, the seven-year-old was narrowly beaten by half a length on his seasonal debut at Lingfield Park 10 days ago.
From an unchanged mark, Haut Folin is well-positioned to secure his second win in Britain.
Thursday’s selections
SOUTHWELL
11.00 GREY OPERATIONS
11.30 DESERT CHAMPION
12.00 SANDS OF HAVANA
12.35 NEVERNAY
1.10 ARC ZOOSVE
1.45 CHARLIE’S CHOICE
2.20 LOVE YOUR WORK
2.55 BILLYB (NAP)
3.30 POPULAR DREAM
EXETER
12.10 TUXEDO JUNCTION
12.45 PARTY VIBES
1.20 RED N YELLOW
1.55 PACHACUTI
2.30 ISSAM
3.05 MISTER UPTON
3.40 MOORLAND RAMBLER
FFOS LAS
12.22 KISS MY FACE
12.57 FLINTARA
1.32 BLUE LAS
2.07 HAUT FOLIN (NB)
2.42 JAKAR DU MOULIN
3.17 ACT OF DIPLOMACY
3.50 MY FORTUNE
CHELMSFORD CITY
4.10 BLUE LAKOTA
4.40 SUNLIT UPLANDS
5.10 CREST OF LIGHT
5.40 PORT LIGHT
6.10 REEL POWER
6.40 DUBAI HARBOUR
7.10 ALZAHIR
7.40 DUBAI IMMO
8.10 DUE DATE
DOUBLE: BILLYB and HAUT FOLIN
