LORD CAPITAINE'S love affair with Sedgefield looks all set to continue with a repeat victory in the St James Security Handicap Chase today.

Competing in precisely the same race 12 months ago, Howard Johnson's game ten-year-old justified massive market support to record his fourth success at the track. And although Lord Captiane (3.30) has not won again since, he did at least finish runner-up over course and distance last time out, confirming his current wellbeing.

In the earlier Thorn Beginners Chase, Garde Bien (2.30) desperately deserves a change of luck after all manner of disasters during the past few months.

The most recent episode of misfortune took place at Doncaster where Garde Bien hadn't even gone through the gears when tipping up five fences from home. There's no doubt the selection was absolutely cantering prior to making that premature exit, and if only Garde Bien can stay on his feet, he'll surely take all the beating in the extended two-mile event.

Ferdy Murphy, trainer of Garde Bien, also has a first-rate chance of completing a welcome double in the John Smith's Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle with World Vision (4.30).

Soft ground put paid to World Vision's prospects 35 days ago when he just failed to maintain his lead having hit the front three flights from the wire. He only relinquished the advantage in the final 200 yards and with the going now predicted to be much quicker, his stamina might just last out a touch longer.

There's an excellent £8,000 six-furlong sprint at Folkestone fancied to fall to Kingcross (3.20).

Exactly why Kingcross failed to get his head in front last season remains a mystery, however in mitigation and due largely to the 2003 heatwave, he rarely got the cut in the ground required to show his true colours.

Thankfully the underfoot conditions at the Kent venue are nothing like they were last year which should suit Kingcross, whose trainer Mick Blanshard was on the mark yesterday with Cumbrian Princess and Our Little Rosie at Lingfield and Wolverhampton respectively.

Alan Berry's yard has recently emerged from a long spell in the doldrums, a factor well worth taking into account in the opener at Southwell, a contest featuring Berry's raider, Tuscan Dream (2.10).

At nine years of age Tuscan Dream is admittedly getting rather long in the tooth, nevertheless by its very nature the betdirect.co.uk Banded Stakes will not take any winning at all and if Paul Bradley's mount can't do the business, then he might as well throw in the towel for good.

Get more on racing at our Racing North site.