Ryedale trainer Richard Fahey and top young rider Paul Hanagan, caught up in a furore over the disqualification of their easy winner Altay at Lingfield in mid-week, can get back in the winning groove at Southwell tomorrow with Inch Perfect.

Successful on the course last Saturday, on his first outing on sand for some two years, Inch Perfect has every chance of obliging again in the Bet Direct Handicap over one and threequarter miles.

Fahey, who is based at Butterwick, near Malton, has sent out three winners since New Year's day, but Altay, a four lengths scorer on Wednesday, was controversially disqualified.

Altay was disqualified and his rider Hanagan banned for six days after the stewards decided that Hanagan was guilty of irresponsible riding in causing a manoeuvre which had seen the 7-2 favourite drift towards the rails and interfere with Waverley Road.

While the Waverley Road incident was classed as minor interference he, in turn, had hampered Kent and Haafel which was classed as major interference and as Altay was the instigator of all the trouble he was disqualified and placed last.

Punters were up in the arms over that decision, and Fahey and Hanagan, both of whom were stunned by the stewards' interpretation of the rules, have lodged an appeal, which is due to be heard at Portman Square in London, next Wednesday.

Fahey said he had been in touch with Jockey Club officials and they have asked him to put the appeal in writing.

"I'm in the process of doing that and I believe the hearing is likely to be set for next Wednesday," he said.

Fahey admitted he was "shocked" by the decision of the Lingfield stewards.

"I replayed the incident a dozen times and I am shocked at their (the stewards) decision," he said.

"I really could do without taking a day out to go to London but I feel so strongly about it and feel I must appeal if only for the owners."

Inch Perfect is not the only Southwell winner from last Saturday's meeting I fancy to oblige again tomorrow.

Mia's Reform has good prospects in the Littlewoods Bet Direct Handicap.

Bought for only 600 guineas at Doncaster's October sales, the Roy Bowring-trained sprinter has shown himself in good form lately.

His latest success was achieved only in selling company, but over the same distance of five furlongs tomorrow he should take plenty of catching, with accomplished apprentice Lisa Jones reducing his weight by 7lb. He is awarded my Nap vote.

Bowring also has a fancied runner in Playful Spirit in the second division of the betdirect.co.uk Handicap, while the in-form John Balding can win the opening division with Czar Wars, the mount of Joe Fanning.

Punters can look forward to a double-header of action on the all-weather tracks tomorrow as a substitute for the lack of turf racing, and at Lingfield, a note should be made of Vanbrugh in the betdirect.co.uk Handicap.

A runaway winner at Southwell last Saturday, Gay Kelleway's charge has more on his plate off his new handicap mark here, but such was the authority of his recent success that he deserves every respect.

Flint River, runner-up on his last two course outings, can make it third-time-lucky in the Bet Direct Classified Stakes.

The promising Compton Emperor can clinch the richest race of the day, the £20,000 Littlewoods Bet Direct Handicap.

Trained by Gerard Butler and the mount of Eddie Ahern, an ace partnership on this track, Compton Emperor showed plenty of ability in his two races on the turf at the end of last season. Provided he can handle this Polytrack surface, he should be hard to beat.

Updated: 13:23 Friday, January 10, 2003