VERSATILE Cheeky Chi (3.30) has every prospect of making a winning return to the sand in the Special Offer Handicap at Southwell today.

Phil McEntee's filly put together three solid runs on the all-weather tracks during the winter months, prior to making a successful turf debut over five furlongs at Redcar 17 days ago.

The Redcar victory was achieved in the face of some stiff opposition, swooping late and fast to collar David Barker's speedy inmate Mr Wolf in the shadow of the post.

It was a brave effort by Cheeky Chi, who looks sure to appreciate the step up to six furlongs, a ploy I reckon could bring about even further improvement for McEntee's promising three-year-old.

One individual who has already made his mark at the Midland's venue is Gilded Cove (4.00), bidding to complete a hat-trick in the following Bet In Running Handicap.

Gilded Cove has proved to be an excellent stable servant for his octogenarian boss, Reg Hollinshead, scoring six times in all over the past year. Admittedly five of those career wins have been at Wolverhampton, however, on the single occasion he managed to collect at this afternoon's track, Gilded Cove won by a stunning six lengths.

Wetherby-based dual-purpose handler Robin Basitman is not well known for producing early-season juveniles, but in the shape of Ayr raider Smiddy Hill (5.50) he appears to have unearthed a pretty fast two-year-old.

Smiddy Hill nearly caused a 33-1 upset on her first run at Ripon a fortnight ago, holding a prominent position throughout until lack of peak fitness caused her stride to shorten in the final 100 yards.

Bastiman's filly is sure to improve at least 7lbs for that outing and it will be a major surprise if she is not involved in the finish of the Royal Troon Maiden Auction Stakes at the Scottish track.

Linda Perratt, who trains so close to the course that she can walk her horses to the parade ring, should keep the locals in clover, courtesy of Pirlie Hill (6.50).

According to the BHB ratings, Pirlie Hill has a relatively straightforward task in the Lawrie And Partners Banded Stakes, a six-furlong event which features mainly bottom-of-the-barrel horses.

Although Tim FitzGerald hasn't had much to cheer about since taking over from his father, Jimmy, Kingsdon (8.20) might lift the stable's spirits by winning the Bellisle Banded Stakes.

Kingsdon is at his best over a mile-and-quarter on easy ground, so with conditions to his liking, the £2,000 race looks well with the consistent gelding's compass.

* Beef Or Salmon produced a near faultless round of jumping to take the Punchestown Heineken Gold Cup yesterday.

Michael Hourigan's eight-year-old was always travelling well after being settled towards the back of the field by Timmy Murphy, and came cruising up after the second-last to challenge the leader, First Gold. Murphy only had to kick on and Beef Or Salmon accelerated away in fine style before producing another perfect leap at the last to win cosily by four lengths and justify 5-4 favouritism.

First Gold, who had been in a tussle up front with Harbour Pilot, just faded out of second spot after the last.

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