Hambleton trainer Kevin Ryan is making a bold bid to win the feature race at Southwell tomorrow. He saddles three of the 12 runners in the £20,000 Press Red To Bet Direct Handicap over seven furlongs.

The pick of the trio could well prove to be Cardinal Venture, owned by Ryedale businessman Tony Fawcett and a previous winner on this course, who will have the assistance of the stable's useful apprentice Andrew Mullen.

Mullen's 7lb claim gives Cardinal Venture a solid chance of returning to the winners' enclosure after a couple of decent recent efforts.

Well drawn in stall two, a position which will complement his front-running style, Cardinal Venture should take plenty of catching. Just watch out for his stablemates, Soyuz and Cloud Dancer, breathing down his neck!

Norton trainer Julie Camacho looks to have found a decent opportunity for Lampos in the Game On & Bet Direct on ITV Handicap over two miles.

David McCabe has the mount on the five-year-old, who shaped well at Southwell nine days ago when finishing second to Stravmour over one and three-quarter miles. Tomorrow's longer trip should suit him better.

At Huntingdon, make a note of Junkanoo in the Come Racing In March Handicap Hurdle.

Keith Reveley's gelding has problems down the years, but he remains a decent performer at an ordinary level, as he showed when winning handsomely on this course a fortnight ago. The extra four furlongs tomorrow should not bother him.

Reveley can also win the EBF/Doncaster Bloodstock Sales Mares' Only National Hunt Flat Race with Accordello.

A daughter of Marello, a high-class performer for the Reveley stable a few years ago, this four-year-old finished second on her debut at Newbury in December.

The extra half-mile tomorrow, plus the benefit of having now had some public experience, should make Accordello a worthy Nap selection.

Tomorrow's other meeting is at Wincanton.

Thursday's tips:

Southwell

1.50 Massey, 2.20 Lampos, 2.50 How's That, 3.20 Cardinal Venture, 3.50 Straffan, 4.20 Optimum.

Huntingdon

1.40 Junkanoo, 2.10 Myson, 2.40 Macnance, 3.10 At Your Request, 3.40 Hardi de Chalamont, 4.10 West Coaster, 4.40 Accordello (Nap).

Updated: 11:29 Wednesday, February 09, 2005