A winner is a winner, whatever it's worth, as Ryedale trainer John Wainwright aims to prove at Southwell tomorrow.

The Nottinghamshire course stages a 'banded' meeting, which is designed to accommodate lowly-rated horses, running for a maximum prize of £2,000. Consequently, only horses of modest ability will be on show, but anything to help pay the expenses is greatly welcomed, and it is no surprise to see Joyce's Choice returning to Southwell to bid for another winning opportunity.

The Wainwright-trained sprinter won a similar contest over this course-and-distance three weeks ago when coming late and fast to beat Torrent by one-and-a-half lengths.

Torrent is better off at the weights tomorrow and there should be little to choose between the pair, but I fancy Joyce's Choice to clinch another low-profile success in the Gerald's Birthday Celebration Stakes. Apprentice Paddy Mathers again has the mount.

York-based jockey Robert Winston, who has more than 100 winners to his credit this season, is riding through until the end of the year before taking a break.

He can add to his tally of winners aboard Ela Re, who only needs to produce something like his best form to capture the Archer Electrical Banded Stakes.

Waltzing Wizard ended a long losing run here last week, and the Alan Berry-trained five-year-old has sound double prospects in the Bet Direct On Sky Active Stakes.

Francis Norton again takes the mount on Waltzing Wizard, whose confidence will surely have been boosted by his recent victory over tomorrow's distance of a mile.

Nap selection Mr Uppity (1.00), narrowly beaten on his latest outing and trained by Julian Poulton, who is enjoying a good run at present, and Kentucky Bullet (1.30), a previous course-and-distance winner, are two others to note.

Over the sticks at Fontwell, L'Orphelin bids for a hat-trick of wins in the Casino@bluesq.com Novices' Chase.

The nine-year-old, who seems to have been transformed by the fitting of blinkers, has won his last two starts at Newton Abbot, his latest victory seeing him cruise home by 22 lengths.

He faces stiffer opposition tomorrow, but remains a horse to respect. Joe Tizzard continues his association with the gelding.

Tuesday's tips:

Southwell

1.00 Mr Uppity (Nap), 1.30 Kentucky Bullet, 2.00 Fantasy Defender, 2.30 Joyce's Choice, 3.00 Ela Re,

3.30 Waltzing Wizard.

Fontwell

12.40 Gallery God, 1.10 L'Orphelin, 1.40 Imperial Rocket, 2.10 Spring Lover, 2.40 Honey's Gift, 3.10 Walcot Lad, 3.40 Green Gamble.

Tomorrow's other meeting is at Lingfield.

Tom O'Ryan's Nap for this afternoon's racing was: Zoom Zoom (3.30 Wolverhampton).

Updated: 10:49 Monday, December 20, 2004