REGULARS of the Angel Inn in Easingwold will be keeping a closer eye than usual on the opening race at Southwell today.

Red Tide, trained at nearby Stillington, carries the colours of Jo McHugh, proprietor of the Angel, and is a horse who gets plenty of support from those who frequent this popular hostelry.

Red Tide was a winner on this course six weeks ago when he got the better of Musical Molly in a photo-finish. He had previously scored at Hamilton and looks a horse who will go on to further success in 2015.

The Daily Enhanced 'Magic Multiples' At Unibet Handicap over six furlongs is the comeback target for the four-year-old after his short Christmas break. Raised 5lb by the handicapper for his latest victory, he will again be ridden by York-based Robert Winston as he bids to gain his second Southwell success. The Angel will be the place to be tonight if he can pull it off.

Scott Dixon, who trains close to the course, has been enjoying a profitable time lately and Incomparable promises to provide the Retford-based handler with another success.

Although now a ten-year-old, the sprinter has lost little of his dash. He should go well under Tom Eaves in the Unibet Offer Daily Jockey/Trainer Specials Handicap.

Michael Appleby, another local trainer, who does particularly well at Southwell, can hit the target with a couple of his runners.

Westminster promises to be popular with punters in the Ladbrokes Handicap. Formerly trained by John Gosden, the four-year-old shaped well to be beaten less than a length on this course last time. Tackling the same distance today, he should make a bold bid to go one better under Alistair Rawlinson.

Rawlinson, who is good value for his 5lb allowance, also teams-up with Appleby's Sleet in the Ladbrokes Mobile Handicap.

A decent second to the in-form Novalist on this course last month, Sleet is fancied to step up this afternoon.

Over the jumps at Ayr, Nicky Richards is fancied to record a first and last race double.

The Cumbrian trainer, who is enjoying a useful campaign, saddles nap selection Sir Vinski in the opening BetVictor.com Maiden Hurdle.

A winner of his only bumper start last season, Sir Vinsky shaped with notable promise on his hurdling bow at Newcastle a month ago when third to KIngfisher Creek. That form was franked at Catterick yesterday when Definitly Red, the runner-up in that race, went one better.

Sir Vinski looks a horse with a bright future and this looks a good opportunity for him to shine.

Richards brings Another Bill back to Ayr for the Download The BetVictor Instabet App National Hunt Flat Race.

The five-year-old made a winning debut on this course two months ago and although it is never easy to defy a penalty in these type of races, Another Bill looks a cut above average.

Pauline Robson is another trainer with double prospects.

The Northumberland trainer runs her recent Newcastle winner Scimon Templar in the Gallagher Gals Gallop Handicap Hurdle, while Rival d'Estruval lines up in the Best Odds Guaranteed At BetVictor.com Handicap Hurdle.

Rival d'Estruval is a fascinating horse. Formerly very smart over fences with a rating in the mid-140s, the gelding has had various issues since. But he reverts to hurdles today and, off a mark of 130, he is not to be overlooked at a discipline at which he is a three-time winner.

 

Ayr today: 12.30 Sir Vinski (NAP), 1.00 Higgs Bosun, 1.35 Scimon Templar, 2.05 Heez A Steel, 2.40 Alfred Oats, 3.10 Rival d’Estruval, 3.45 Another Bill.
 

Southwell today: 12.20 Red Tide, 12.50 Incomparable, 1.25 Monsieur Chevalier, 1.55 Westminster, 2.30 Sleet, 3.00 Deuce Again, 3.35 Indian Scout.

Today’s other meetings:  Ffos Las and Wolverhampton.