Interstice, a dual-winner at Southwell inside the last fortnight, can complete a hat-trick at the Nottinghamshire track tomorrow.

Tony Newcombe's six-year-old goes for the second division of the betdirect.co.uk Amateur Riders' Handicap and will have the services of Carol Hannaford, a capable pilot in these sort of events.

A smooth winner on his last two starts, Interstice is plainly in top form at present and a 5lb penalty is not expected to be enough to anchor him in his hat-trick assault. He is awarded the nap vote.

Paul Hanagan has racked-up three winners at Southwell since the turn of the year, and the top Ryedale jockey can make it four on Whinhill House in the allweather-racing.com Handicap over six furlongs.

Trained near Scorton in North Yorkshire by David Barker, Whinhill House finished a respectable sixth in a nursery over five furlongs here last month and was not digraced at Wolverhampton on his only subsequent start.

Tomorrow's step up to six furlongs is expected to suit the three-year-old, who is fancied to open his winning account.

Mark Johnston, who had a double on this course last Saturday, can add to his tally with Double Mystery in the Bet Direct Maiden Stakes.

Although unproven on a sand surface, the Middleham colt showed enough in two races on turf last season, not least when fifth in the Listed Zetland Stakes at Newmarket, to suggest he can make his mark at this level. Joe Fanning has the mount.

James Hetherton's recent winner Dash Of Magic catches the eye in the opening leg of the amateur riders' handicap, especially with the highly-capable Sarah Bosley on board, while Quiet Reading, another in-form horse, makes plenty of appeal in the Littlewoods Bet Direct Handicap.

Trained by Martin Bosley, Sarah's husband, Quiet Reading has twice run well in defeat since notching back-to-back wins here and at Wolverhampton.

This could be his opportunity to return to the number one spot, with Keith Dalgleish in the saddle.

Thursday's tips:

Southwell: 12-15 Dash Of Magic; 12-45 Quiet Reading; 1-15 White Plains; 1-45 Double Mystery; 2-20 Whinhill House; 2-55 Half Hunter; 3-25 Interstice (NAP); 3-55 Brandy Cove.

Thursday's scheduled meetings at Wetherby and Wincanton have been called off.

Updated: 13:52 Wednesday, January 08, 2003