BOTH tomorrow's National Hunt race meetings, at Sedgefield and Folkerstone, are is serious deoubt because of heavy frost.

There was to be an inspection of the Sedgefield course this afternoon and Folkestone will be holding an inspection in the morning.

Sedgefield's clerk of the course James Armstrong said: "We had a minus six last night and it is still minus one in the shade by the winning post. We are not overly optimistic."

Folkestone clerk of the course Chris Stickels said: "We are unraceable. We had minus three last night and are forecast minus one to minus three tonight."

Smart Hostess, a winner at Wolverhampton on her latest start, can serve up another victory at Southwell tomorrow.

The four-year-old, trained near Malton by John Quinn, is napped to defy top weight in the Bet Direct Champions League Cashback Fillies' Handicap over six furlongs.

Smart Hostess will again have the services of Robert Winston, who was in the saddle when she opened her all-weather account in pleasing style just over two weeks ago. Although she has 10st to carry here, Smart Hostess does not have a lot in the way of opposition.

John Balding, enjoying such a fine run on the sand, holds a strong hand in the Bet Direct Handicap over five furlongs. The Bawtry trainer saddles Justalord and Soba Jones, both successful on their latest starts, and both boasting sound chances here.

Marginal preference is for Soba Jones, formerly trained by Tim Easterby, who I fancy will cope with this step back from six furlongs and follow-up his recent return to winning form. Jason Edmunds, the trainer's son-in-law, takes the mount.

Kieren Fallon can figure among the winners at Southwell. He has been booked to ride King Priam in the Bet Direct Claiming Stakes. Trained on the course by Mark Polglase, the eight-year-old is moody and, although capable, is a hard horse to win with these days. Fallon is the right man to get a tune out of him.

Saponi, a winner here last month, can follow-up in the opening Bet Direct Handicap under Tony Culhane, while Francport, another recent course winner, should likewise make a bold bid for back-to-back victories in the betdirect.co.uk Selling Stakes.

Tuesday's tips:

Southwell

12.35 Saponi, 1.05 Crystal Colleen, 1.35 Francport, 2.10 Notanother, 2.40 Soba Jones, 3.10 King Priam, 3.40 Smart Hostess (Nap), 4.15 Magic Mamma's Too.

- Tomorrow's other scheduled meetings, at Sedgefield and Folkestone, are both in serious doubt because of frost.

Tom O'Ryan's Nap selection for this afternoon's racing was: Czar Wars (1.45 at Wolverhampton).

Updated: 12:07 Monday, February 17, 2003