JOE FANNING renews his association with Snap (4.30) at Southwell hoping to claim the feature event on the card, the £10,000 Betfred Handicap.

Snap's not the biggest horse in the world, but what the gelding lacks in size, he more than makes up for in the courage department by answering the calls of his jockey when maximum thrust is required at the end of his races.

Fanning prevailed twice on Snap at Thirsk last season, including over today's trip of seven furlongs on an easy surface. The easy nature of the North Yorkshire track, together with its' sharp left-handed mid-way turn, mimics Southwell's course so accurately that Snap should feel totally at home on his first visit to the Midlands' venue.

The earlier two-mile betfair.com Handicap is a completely different kettle of fish from a form perspective because stamina will be much more at a premium.

With staying power very much needed to the fore, Toni Alcala (2.30) might provide the answer to the £3,500 event. Roger Fisher's six-year-old did well to finish third when coming up against a couple of progressive individuals in the shape of Nounou and Hernando's Boy at Musselburgh.

In this afternoon's contest the majority of Toni Alcala's rivals are far more exposed than that improving pair, opening the door for him to gain a well-deserved return to the winners' enclosure after several near-misses.

Having done the column a monster favour by landing a 7-1 winning nap selection last time out, it would be churlish to desert Attorney (2.15) in the opening Apprentice Handicap at Folkestone.

Attorney did it the hard way at Lingfield, making every single of yard of the running under a determined drive by Mark Halford. Mark doesn't qualify to ride in this particular event, which is restricted to jockeys who have not partnered more than five winners.

Normally it's playing with fire to invest in such races, however Ron Harris has chosen wisely in asking young Tolly Dean to do the steering. Dean is one of my tips to take the apprentice riding honours this season, so have no hesitation in recommending Attorney for the six-furlong charge.

There were a few burnt fingers in the betting ring at Kempton when Masterman Ready (4.10) was backed down to favouritism, yet could only manage fifth place.

As a result of the run Masterman Ready's fitness should be more satisfactory, which combined with the fact that Eddie Ahern didn't knock him about, may well allow his supporters to recoup losses.

l Adoration got the better of Primarily by a length and three-quarters to win the Lady Balk Maiden Stakes for the Mark Johnston stable at Pontefract yesterday.

Denton-near-Darlington trained Penny Whisper was also on target, showing her rivals a clean pair of heels to run away with the Went Edge Median Auction Maiden Fillies' Stakes.

Penny Whisper trainer Michael Dods said: ''She's been working well at home. She had shown plenty and she'll improve a bit and hopefully she'll go for a novice somewhere.''