VENETIA Williams has a fine record with penalised runners in handicaps and is hoping today lightning strikes twice in the space of six days.

Lightning Strike did us a good turn when emerging from the doldrums to take advantage of a declining mark at Hereford last Sunday.

It was a modest event he was entitled to win if running anywhere near his best form when, as a novice, he was a Grade Two hurdle winner back in 2007.

At his prime, he was rated as high as 140, but he has been difficult to keep sound and posted three poor defeats last year on his return from a lengthy break.

On his previous outing, he was beaten over 40 lengths by Piraya at Ascot in December, but the Williams’ yard is in much better form now and he turned around the form, finishing 10 lengths in front of his rival at Hereford.

Lightning Strike could have been called the winner some way out and such was the ease of his victory his trainer had little choice but to bring him out soon under a penalty before the handicapper had his say.

The nine-year-old held entries at three venues today and Williams has plumped for the richest pickings at Kempton in the William Hill Lanzarote Hurdle.

He has also been declared at Warwick but that is a second preference in the event of the cold snap having a bite at the principal meeting.

Lightning Strike carries a 6lb penalty in a very competitive event and will need to reproduce his Hereford running to have a chance – and I think he will be in the shake-up.

Featherbed Lane looks a big danger. He has looked a different horse since joining Philip Hobbs and is on a hat-trick following wins at Ascot and Aintree.

He has been raised 15lb for his latest success but claimer James Best takes off a handy 7lb.

Ohio Gold is also bidding for a hat-trick. He steps up in class after landing minor novice events at Folkestone and Plumpton but is fairly treated.

Swincombe Flame also comes here in top form and is another to consider.

Brian Ellison reckons Neptune Equester is the best chaser in the north.

Time will tell, but he is going in the right direction and victory in the Betfred Classic Chase at Warwick would go a long way to vindicating his trainer’s view.

There is no doubt he will relish this stamina test of three miles and five furlongs and easy ground will also be in his favour.

He was unsuited by the sedate pace over a shorter trip when fifth in the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day.

Aidan Coleman has been booked to ride Neptune Equester and will also partner Simonside for the stable in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Qualifier.

The gelding’s latest win at Wetherby was gained off a 12lb higher mark than his previous success.

He is up another 7lb but looks capable of defying the rise and makes appeal off bottom weight.

Rileyev very nearly got rid of his jockey at the second last in the 32Red Handicap Chase at Sandown a week ago, finishing fifth, and makes a quick reappearance in the Yorkshire Post Ladies Day-24th May Handicap Chase at Wetherby.

He has been in good form and this might take less winning.

Stable companion Sustainability rallied well to win going away at Uttoxeter to follow up a Hereford victory off a 7lb lower mark on his handicap debut.

He has been raised 8lb but that may not deny him his hat-trick in the Wetherby Racecourse and Conference Centre Handicap Hurdle.

Steve Gollings has enjoyed a good run of late and can get on the scoresheet with Bar de Ligne in the EBF National Hunt Novices’ Hurdle.