Flat racing at Folkestone and Southwell (a.w.)

Easily the best flat race of the day is the class 2 handicap over 5 furlongs at 15.40 at Southwell. This is a decent race for the track and sees several CD specialists in action, notably Rebel Duke (Derek Barker/ Tony Hamilton) and Pawan (Ann Stokell), both of whom run their best races here. David Nicholls´ pair Tajneed (Adrian Nicholls) and Tournedos (Silvestre de Sousa) on the other hand have virtually no all-weather experience, but are certainly dangerous on their best turf form. Perhaps the ultra-consistent Whisky Creek (Chris and Martin Dwyer) could be te answer. He has been runner-up three times running, but before that won 5 races during the winter, two of them this CD. John Gosden is already in good form and can take the mile maiden at 16.50 with The Hague (Richard Mullen), who after two poor runs last year made a very encouraging seasonal debut. The 3yo handicap over a mile at 17.55 is also a good race.

Statute Book (Silvester Kirk/ David Probert) is much improved this year and has won all his 3 starrs, all this CD, but Miss Christophene (Sue Lamyman/ Jimmy Quinn) has also won her last two, while both Becausewecan (Mark Johnston/ Robert Winston) and Digger Derek (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan) won their final 2 races of 2008 but are now coming off a break. The Folkestone card is modest and most interest will be centred on the two maiden races for 3yo´s. Admittedly the 7 furlongs race at 17.05 is also for older horses, but the 5 that are entered are very weak performers, and the issue surely lies between the 3yo´s Imaam (John Dunlop/ Richard Hills) and Equipe de Nuit (Steve Williams/ Saleem Golam). The very well-bred Imaam was twice beaten at odds-on last year, and as the Dulop stable often takes some time to get into top form, we prefer Equipe de Nuit. runner-up on both starts at 2 and sold for 45,000 guineas to his new connections. The 6 furlongs maiden at 15.55 should mainly concern Aahaygirl (Karl Burke/ Gergus Sweeney) and Hi Shinko (Rod Millman/ Alan Munro) with slight preference for the former. The fillies handicap here at 18.05 could go to top-weight German-bred Princess Flame (Brendan Powell/ Seb Sanders); she won 3 flat races and twice over hurdles last year, and although her latest performances were not so hot, she could be too strong for today´s opposition.