SEDGEFIELD specialist San Peire (2.20) bids to notch a fourth success at his favourite track this afternoon.

Trainer Howard Johnson's team' have been a bit hit-and-miss of late, however San Peire's credentials are rock-solid so it would be churlish to crab his prospects in the gruelling three-mile-three-furlong Cantor Spreadfair Handicap Hurdle.

The cash came raining down for the selection on his reappearance when supported from 12's to 7-1, a gamble that proved lucrative for each-way thieves rather than on-the-nose punters since the gelding could only manage second spot.

On balance and considering San Peire had the distinct disadvantage of needing to shrug off a lengthy 79-week absence, it still represented a decent effort especially as his conqueror, Ungaro, is a pretty classy individual.

Favourite backers had a nasty shock when 11-4 market leader, Devondale (2.50), ignominiously bit the dust at the very first flight on a fruitless journey to Newcastle last time out.

Previously Ferdy Murphy's nine-year-old had recorded a quick-fire double and given a clear round in today's two-mile-five-furlong test he has the right sort of profile to make it three-from-four.

Tim Walford generally unearths one-or-two useful youngsters as each season passes by and Miss Pross (3.20) fits the bill nicely for the closing Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

Despite being beaten quite a long way into third spot on a visit to Leicester in October, Miss Pross was probably had her wings clipped by a couple of extremely well handicapped rivals at the Midlands venue.

Of course a similar scenario could apply once again, although only Tim Easterby's Eborarry appears to be a contender for getting into the line-up with less weight than the officials might have originally liked.

Few trainers have their horses in better heart than Tom George, fancied to continue on his winning ways via Julies Boy and Rosetown at Fontwell.

At first glance Julies Boy (2.10) seems to have it all do under the steadier of 11-12, but crucially Tom steps his charge up a half-mile in trip, a tactic which could bring about the requisite improvement needed to claim the Hyder Consulting Handicap Chase.

If it is guts and determination you're after then look no further than Rosetown (3.40), who possesses those two vital qualities in abundance judged by his latest gritty Towcester triumph.

The grey son of Roselier does nothing in hurry, nevertheless that's not to say he hasn't got an engine because come the final half-mile of the Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle he'll still be grinding on while others are flagging.

All credit to Southwell's executive for staging the day's most valuable event, the £20,000 Bet Direct Stakes.

Not one of the nine-runner field can be discounted with any sort of confidence, and so with a wide-open feel to the contest an each-way wager on the long-shot Pawan (2.30) is recommended.

Ann Stokell's sprinter is an enigmatic sort of character, often mixing one good run with a right old stinker. Using that pattern as an unconventional guide, Pawan didn't perform to his best seven days ago and therefore might now defy his critics by coming out all guns blazing to take the five-furlong dash.

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