Horse Racing: John Jenkins' Billy should be Red hot under Sweeney at Folkestone

John Jenkins' seven-year-old is undeniably at his best when in a positive frame of mind, with eight of his nine wins having arrived when making all of the running It can, occasionally, all go pear-shaped, like at Lingfield over six furlongs in March when regular jockey Fergus Sweeney set off far too quickly before running out of puff at the business end.

Sweeney is usually a decent judge of pace, however, and is unlikely to make the same mistake at the Kent circuit.

Although he has not won since last August, Billy Red must be respected at this level, especially at a sharp track like Folkestone, which should mesh nicely with his dynamic approach to racing.

He can also not have it quick enough, which is another boost given the arid nature of April.

Having now slipped back to his last winning mark on turf, this poor-looking race is longing for a horse to seize the moment. Billy Red fits neatly into that category.

Kieren Fallon has gained a nice link with Phil McEntee this season, with the pair taken to win the Play Blackjack At totesport.com Handicap with Black Baccara.

The four-year-old was an impressive course-and-distance scorer of a three-runner event here last week, having previously finished second at Lingfield in March.

McEntee's filly hardly had a race on that occasion and should have little issue in counteracting a 6lb penalty. Her record at Folkestone - two wins from two starts - heightens the sense of optimism of upholding the form with last week's runner-up, Magical Speedfit.