Billy Webster is set to test his Finals Day credentials at Lingfield Park’s All-Weather Championships Trials Day on March 1, following a taking victory at Southwell on Saturday.
The three-year-old has won both his starts since switching to the all-weather, with last weekend’s win coming on the back of a similarly impressive display at Wolverhampton in November.
Having made a successful introduction at Pontefract in the spring, Billy Webster is now unbeaten in three appearances over the minimum trip, with his only defeat coming in a six-furlong novice at Goodwood in October.
Trainer George Scott said: “Billy Webster has come out of Southwell really well and we were pleased to see him take another step forward.
“He is three from four now and not many horses start their careers like that. I have to say, I do think we have found the right races for him and he has been well placed to win them. Life will be more difficult for him going forward, but he has not done much wrong.
“He is a straightforward horse with a high-cruising speed and good attitude, although I am a little worried about running him over six furlongs at Newcastle. The three-year-old final is a great pot but it does not strike me as a track that will play to his strengths over that distance.
“I have no qualms about running him over six at Lingfield and he will head there for the trials meeting in early March. That will obviously tell us more in regards to Finals Day, which we can make a decision on closer to the time.”
Progressive five-furlong performer Diomed Spirit (Stuart Williams) made it four wins on the bounce as Wolverhampton staged the first Sunday evening fixture under floodlights.
Sean Woods and Robert Havlin combined for a double on the card, headed by a third straight victory for Savvy Brilliance in the two-mile handicap.
Smoky Mountain met trouble in running when touched off at the track just before Christmas but made amends with a dominant display for Charlie Fellowes in the seven-furlong handicap.
Elsewhere, the George Boughey-trained Bulldog Drummond looks another interesting contender in the three-year-old division, with his victory at Kempton Park earning a 9lb rise to 86.
Ruth Carr’s Reigning Profit also received a significant hike in the weights, with his mark going up 10lb to 76 following his success in a five-furlong handicap at Wolverhampton.
Ultramarine continued his progress for David Evans with a third win in his last four starts, with his latest success at Kempton Park ensuring an 8lb rise to 79. That victory was in an apprentice handicap, meaning he escapes a penalty and can run off his previous mark of 71 when he makes a quick reappearance at Southwell on Thursday.
Inspiritus looks a horse to follow in the Middle Distance category after making a successful handicap debut at Wolverhampton, a win that maintains Roger Varian’s lead at the top of the trainers’ standings.
Rossa Ryan has ridden two winners since his return from a break on January 3, moving his tally for the season to 36. Jack Mitchell is next best in the jockeys’ standings on 31.
