Sunday Tips

Luscifer can weave his course-and-distance magic again as he bids for a Southwell hat-trick in the Bombardier Handicap.

Tony Carroll's three-year-old has in fact already won three times in all at the Nottinghamshire track, his first success dating back to Valentine's Day.

But he has cast a spell over his rivals again there of late - and while up 11lb in all for his two wins in less than a month, there was every indication from his emphatic superiority last time that he will take some stopping on his favoured Fibresand.

Luscifer appeared to be far from flattered by his latest two-length winning margin, ditto the three lengths he had to spare previously.

His latest victim Geography Teacher boosted the form with his own second Southwell victory on Thursday, and all the evidence suggest Luscifer is an improved performer who has found his niche and a winning knack.

Wrath Of Hector had the option of taking him on, but instead sticks to his habitual distance of seven furlongs in the Bombardier Handicap.

That may well prove a wise move by trainer Mick Appleby with a gelding who has hinted several times that he should be capable of striking again off his current rating.

Wrath Of Hector has been put in his place, without being disgraced, in his last two efforts here.

He remains in decent form, however - and after a short break, may well be ready to reproduce the promise he showed early last month when a good second to a previous winner, over a furlong shorter on his first visit to Southwell.

Appleby is always to be feared here, of course, and Antony Brittain is another trainer to take very seriously at this unique track.

Drakefell goes for him in the Betway Handicap, and should not be underestimated.

The five-year-old, very much a Southwell regular of late, has been knocking on the door over the minimum trip.

He was back in sixth over course and distance last week, but beaten only two lengths in a race about which precious little is known apart from the result - thanks to a blanket of fog.

Drakefell also has two Southwell runner-up efforts on his record, however, and clearly remains highly competitive in this sphere - with the potential to score at a decent price if the race unfolds to his liking.

He prefers to race prominently, and invariably does so when winning, so a paucity of rivals with an obvious like mind could play to his strengths.

Nelson Gay can be expected to employ differing tactics in the Ladbrokes Watch Racing Online For Free Maiden Auction Stakes, but they will not necessarily prove a hindrance as the two-year-old seeks a breakthrough win.

He almost managed it at the sixth attempt last time, second to a previous winner, and was a two-length third over this trip on his final run of the summer before being gelded.

Unless there is a lurking unknown talent among the largely unexposed opposition, this could be his big chance.

Allavina makes her jumps debut at Fakenham, in the opening Vote Hollie Doyle Sports Personality 2020 Mares' Maiden Hurdle, having shown plenty of promise in three bumper starts.

She was a winning favourite at Market Rasen in March, and returned this season to be beaten under five lengths in Listed class at Cheltenham.

That level of form entitles her to win with ease if taking to hurdles at all.

Mortens Leam is often allowed to go off at a bigger price than he should, and rarely lets his supporters or connections down.

That was the case when he bagged the each-way money the last twice, and winner's pot at Wetherby back in March.

He is still very fairly treated, and course and distance could well be spot on in the Sky Sports Racing Handicap Chase.

Mud-loving Silent Man is sure find his favoured conditions at Bangor in the Deck The Halls Handicap Chase.

The 10-year-old has clearly improved for his amateur jockey and, of late, trainer Tom Lacey - and although 20lb higher than for the first of his two victories last month, the hat-trick could well be on.

Donald McCain winners are a standing dish at his local track, where Heartbreak Kid could serve up another win in the Rocking Around The Christmas Tree Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.

The five-year-old former point-to-point winner appeared to take well to chasing when runner-up to the useful Cheddleton at Carlisle last month and with anticipated progress, should be in the mix.

Thurles stages a decent card in Ireland, with the unbeaten Kapard is of particular interest in the feature Irish Stallion Farms EBF Boreen Belle Mares Novice Hurdle.

SELECTIONS:

BANGOR: 12.37 Out The Glen, 1.07 Silent Man, 1.37 Heartbreak Kid, 2.07 Clondaw Storm, 2.37 Star Of Rory, 3.07 Pyramid Place, 3.37 Chloe's Court.

FAKENHAM: 12.45 Allavina, 1.15 Jonjoela, 1.45 Mortens Leam, 2.20 Gabrielle Du Seuil, 2.50 Miss Gemstone, 3.20 Diocletian.

SOUTHWELL: 2.15 LUSCIFER (NAP), 2.45 Nelson Gay, 3.15 Mr Carbonator, 3.45 Drakefell, 4.15 The Nosey Parker, 4.45 Wrath Of Hector, 5.15 Contingency Fee.

THURLES: 12.30 Escaria Ten, 1.00 Fox Le Bel, 1.30 Espion Du Chenet, 2.00 Kapard, 2.30 Sullane Hill, 3.00 Allbarone, 3.30 Fais Ton Chemin.

DOUBLE: Luscifer and Drakefell.