FIBRE-SAND specialist Perchancer (1.20) makes a welcome return to his preferred track at Southwell today.

After scoring over timber at Wetherby in November, Patrick Haslam opted to switch his charge back to the Flat to Lingfield last week. But Haslam's plan appeared to backfire, maybe because underfoot conditions were simply too fast for the normally versatile six-year-old.

In direct contrast, Southwell's much slower artificial surface suits Perchancer infinitely better, a fact borne out by his track-and-trip victory in April, which incidentally was achieved in a particularly fast time.

The selection is at his best when allowed to coast along in mid-pack, consequently leading amateur rider Carol Williams is likely to ride a waiting race aboard Perchancer, leaving her challenge until the final couple of furlongs.

Another individual who by all accounts should appreciate going back to Southwell is Woodboro Minstrel (3.25), engaged in the seven-furlong selling event.

Anne Duffield's three-year-old filly showed she was fully capable of taking a race of this nature when chasing home Sylvester Kirk's Out Of This World over six furlongs at the course in November. Woodboro Minstrel then went south to Lingfield, where she didn't run anything like so well, finishing a distant seventh in a similar contest.

At Wincanton, Martin Pipe holds a strong hand in the Elite Racing Novices' Hurdle with Dark Fairy and St Helensfield (1.30).

Tony McCoy, currently marooned on the 199-winner mark, is scheduled to ride Dark Fairy, although after three crashing falls at Newbury yesterday, even "Mr Indestructible" might have to take the day off.

In any event I favour Pipe's other runner, St Helensfield, partnered by Rod Greene. He made a perfectly satisfactory jumps debut when runner-up at Exeter, and is entitled to improve both for the outing and the experience.

The fitting of a tongue-strap worked wonders for Joyeux Royal (4.05), who romped to an impressive course and distance success 15 days ago.

The Paul Nicholls-trained French import has been clobbered good and proper by the official handicapper for the victory, taking a 10lb hike in the ratings. However, with his minor breathing problem now seemingly sorted, Joyeux Royal might still have enough left in the locker to overcome the extra weight he has been set to carry.

The frost is taking a long time to come out of the sub-soil at Wetherby, where local officials are staging an early-morning inspection.

If racing goes ahead, Newmarket traveller Bold Cardowan (1.10) is worth a look in the opener.

Trainer John Berry has an excellent record at the course and with the all-weather gallops at Headquarters reportedly resisting the recent freeze-up, he'll have been able to keep his horses on the move throughout the cold snap.

In the £15,000 Showcase Handicap, Luzcadou (3.10) could prove to be a surprise package.

Described by his handler Ferdy Murphy as "a beautiful mover", Luzcadou made eye-catching late headway in a far hotter race won by Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Behjaran a fortnight ago.