HOWARD JOHNSON should not leave Sedgefield empty-handed this afternoon with the likes of Julius Caesar (12.50), Supreme Leisure (1.20), and Blairgowrie (2.20), all holding major chances.

Howard has an excellent record at the track and with his Crook-based stable enjoying a hot streak at present there seems no reason why Julius Caesar won't get the yard off to flyer by winning the opening Cantor Odds Novices' Hurdle.

The experiment of dropping the selection back to two-miles-and-half-a-furlong didn't really work on his latest outing, because although the four-year-old led for a much of the contest, he didn't have the gears to cope with the late burst of Villon and Gary's Pimpernel.

Now stepped up to a more realistic distance, Julius Caesar's undoubted reserves of stamina will surely stand him in good stead so long as the field go a decent clip, rather than dawdling for the first circuit.

Supreme Leisure, a new recruit to Johnson's team, goes straight chasing having won a competitive two-mile National Hunt Flat race at Leopardstown in January.

The decision to miss out hurdles could easily be reviewed as time goes by, however Supreme Leisure wouldn't be participating in the three-mile-three-furlong Maiden Chase unless he'd schooled adequately over steeplechase fences at home.

The case for the third of Howard's fancied representatives, Blairgowrie, could hardly be more clear-cut following his Hexham victory over Hot Weld in November.

At first glance the form didn't look anything out-of-the-ordinary - until the latter absolutely bolted up at in the hands of Timmy Murphy at Newcastle yesterday.

Southwell continues to attract plenty of money-spinning sponsorship with £25,000 up for grabs in the feature event at today's fixture, the Littlewoods Bet Direct Stakes.

Ten lightning fast sprinters have been entered in the dash for the cash, including Dancing Mystery (2.30), poised to take advantage of a turnaround in the weights with both Moayed and Quiet Times.

Despite advancing years, Eric Wheeler's evergreen ten-year-old retains a remarkable zest for the game, plugging on gamely to snatch fourth placing behind the aforementioned duo last time out.

Taking into full account the revised ratings, Dancing Mystery has a terrific opportunity to exact sweet revenge, especially as he goes exceptionally well for his regular rider, the vastly experienced, Steve Carson.

At the other end of the jockey's scale, Donna Caldwell, who has only ridden a handful of winners and is therefore able to claim a 7lbs allowance, is entrusted with the nap selection aboard Baylaw Star (3.30).

Having picked up three races during an extremely lucrative two-year-old campaign, Baylaw Star's mark shot through the roof and the gelding has been in the grip of the Official Handicapper ever since.

Leniency was clearly required and after drawing a blank on turf this summer, Kevin Ryan's raider has finally slipped back down to a weight off which he has become of interest.

The proof of a definite revival came at Wolverhampton just over a fortnight ago when Baylaw Star went off like a scalded cat, but instead of stopping, he kept on motoring all the way to the line to take third-spot.

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