RED River Rebel can start the New Year like he ended the old one at Southwell tomorrow.

The gelding, trained by John Norton, ran out a wide-margin winner on this course last week in the hands of Sheriff Hutton-based jockey Paul Mulrennan, who takes the mount on him again in the Pontin's Holidays Handicap over the same distance of one and three-quarter miles.

A 6lb penalty hardly seems enough to halt Red River Rebel, who put ten lengths between himself and his rivals on his latest start. A quick follow-up looks on the cards and he is awarded the nap vote.

Gifted Lass, another horse who prevailed on this course during Christmas week, can likewise start 2007 on a winning note.

John Balding's sprinter goes for the Go Pontin's Holidays Handicap over five furlongs and, with Malton jockey David Allan again in the saddle, she should be hard to beat, despite a 6lb penalty, after her five lengths victory last week.

Miss Holly is yet another recent winner with strong claims on tomorrow's card.

The Declan Carroll-trained filly lines-up in the Pontin's Holidays Handicap after a 9-2 success here last weekend.

Rebellious Spirit should not be overlooked in the pontins.com Handicap.

The four-year-old finished a creditable fourth to Smart Ass on this course ten days ago on his first outing since the summer. It seems safe to assume that he will be all the better for that comeback outing and, if so, he should play an even stronger hand this time.

Over the jumps at Ayr, Lucky Nellerie is set to be hard to catch in the Buy Your Gifts At racing4all.co.uk Novices' Handicap Chase.

Trained by Ferdy Murphy, the headstrong gelding made all the running to win at Sedgefield last time and, provided he jumps as well again, he will take some reeling-in on what promises to be very testing ground.

Kempski has been in fine form lately, winning twice at Ayr in December. Rayson Nixon's in-form gelding is expected to make a bold bid for hat-trick honours in the Weddings At Western House Handicap Hurdle. Alan Dempsey is again expected to ride.

Racing selections

Tomorrow

Southwell: 12.20 Gifted Lass, 12.50 Funfair Wane, 1.20 Red River Rebel (NAP), 1.50 Carefree, 2.20 Miss Holly, 2.55 Et Dona Ferentes, 3.25 Rebellious Spirit, Ayr: 12.40 Categorical, 1.10 Lucky Nellerie, 1.40 The Whisperer, 2.10 Tell Henry, 2.45 The Biker, 3.15 Kempski, 3.45 Sea Laughter.

Tomorrow's other meeting: Folkestone (National Hunt) Today's meetings: Catterick, Cheltenham, Exeter (all National Hunt - subject to 7.30am inspection today) and Southwell (all-weather Flat).