Butler's revenge is sweet

Trainer Gerard Butler found that revenge was sweet yesterday at Lingfield when his Compton Akka beat hotpot Golconda.

Compton Akka had been runner-up twice in her last two races, each time to fillies trained by Michael Bell - Bratby and Royal Preview.

Bell had Golconda, the 4 to 9 favourite for the Romeo Median Auction Maiden Fillies' Stakes, but Compton Akka made all for Jimmy Quinn and fought off the market leader's challenge in the straight to score by a head.

Butler said: "We got our own back with interest there. My girl has certainly earned her victory and I shall give her about three weeks off now."

But Bell bounced back with one of Compton Akka's conquerors, Royal Preview, 30 minutes later in the Sealed With A Loving Kiss Handicap. Royal Preview, ridden by Craig Carver, led three furlongs out to win by three and a half lengths.

Alan Eddery, who used to be based with Mick Channon but has moved to Barry Hills, rode his first winner for his new boss when Kind Sir skated away by six lengths from Hibernate in the Say It With Roses Maiden.

Anthony Evans and Robert Guest, who rode Time Can Tell and Soviet Lady in the amateurs' race, were both banned for two days (February 20th and 22nd), Evans for using his whip with excessive frequency and Guest for employing his when out of contention.