FOLLOWING an unusually tardy start to the season, it's now all systems go at the powerful Venetia Williams stable.

Maybe her horses weren't in the peak of condition prior to Christmas, which would explain the poor performance of Soundtrack at Chepstow in December.

He's been given an 81-day break since that disappointing effort and returns in the £15,000 Showcase Handicap at Ludlow this afternoon, ridden by regular partner Norman Williamson.

The season before last Soundtrack landed a fabulous four-timer in bumpers and hurdles and he was not far behind that level of form when switched to fences in 2001, reeling off an impressive hat-trick by scoring twice at Plumpton and once at Taunton.

The fact that Venetia's horses have been absolutely flying over recent weeks adds fuel to the fire that Soundtrack (3.30) might well be back to his best in an attempt to turn over the certain hot favourite Native Man.

It's quite possible that Native Man will go off at a ludicrously short price after winning in a common canter over track and trip eight days ago in the hands of Tony McCoy.

However, such supposed "good things" often fail to oblige, even with the seemingly invincible McCoy aboard. In any case, no punter worth his or her salt is ever going to get rich siding with potential odds-on shots and Soundtrack is the value bet, provided he goes off at around 5-1 or better.

Williamson has excellent double prospects in the following three-mile Faucets Handicap Hurdle partnering Frileux Royal (4.00).

Stormin' Norman was also in the saddle when Tom George's gelding pulled off a 40-1 shock at the last meeting. Bookies just love it when such outsiders confound the experts, although they may not have the last laugh if, as expected, Frileux Royal makes it two from two.

It doesn't normally pay to mess around in selling races but there's always the exception to the rule and Glenwhargen (2.40) is on a very tempting mark for the Pitminster Handicap Hurdle at Taunton.

Sheena West's five-year-old has been flying far too high since landing a similar event at Towcester in November. Now dropped back into plating class, Glenwhargen has the ability to find his way back to the winners' enclosure.

In the closing Blackdown Hills Handicap Hurdle, St Helensfield (5.10) doesn't look too badly treated. Despite being fairly smart on the level, he's failed to get his front over timber due to some indifferent jumping to date.

No doubt the ultra-efficient Pipe team have gone to work on the home schooling grounds, hard work which invariably pays off when one of Mr Pipe's has strayed from the straight and narrow.

Considering Sundried Tomato (1.50) was drawn out in the cheap seats at Wolverhampton he did remarkably well to shed his maiden tag quite so emphatically.

I reckon he could be an improving gelding and with the massive bonus of stall three virtually hard up against the favoured far rail, the naturally ebullient Sundried Tomato could easily slip his field if adopting his customary front-running role.

Although unbeaten over hurdles Kevin Ryan has opted for the safe play with Gralmano (3.50) and brought him back to the Flat.

He's twice run with credit at Lingfield on a surface possibly just too quick for him.

Southwell's much slower fibresand might just be the fillip required for Gralmano to resume his winning ways.