THERE'S nothing like the personal touch when it comes to training thoroughbreds and the Welsh wizard Milton Bradley has proved himself a brilliant exponent of keeping his horses sweet.

Wolverhampton-bound Juwwi (3.35) illustrates the point beautifully, holding stoutly on to his form throughout the year no matter whether he's being campaigned on turf or any of the three all-weather tracks.

He's also a regular participant in the valuable sand sprints and this afternoon is no exception, turning out to compete in the £10,000 Thomas 'Fats' Waller Handicap.

Not for the first time the seven-year-old has been given top-weight, simply because he is a victim of his own consistency. But despite Juwwi's rather diminutive size, he's used to carrying his fair share of lead in the saddle and I don't think it will stop him pocketing the top purse of the day at the popular Midlands venue.

Unexposed fillies are normally worth a second glance, a remark applying especially to Slip Killick (2.00) in the opening Bet Direct Handicap.

She's only made the racecourse on a handful of occasions over the past two seasons, giving even the most ardent form-book student precious little evidence to work on.

If Slip Killick had been absolutely useless I reckon she'd have been retired long ago. Instead connections have persevered and there was plenty to like about her most recent fourth to Malarkey over course and distance a week ago.

Although 11 runners go to post for the later Galileo Selling Stakes, the Official BHB Ratings suggests Jawhari (4.10) is in a different league to his rivals.

Epsom-based handler Terry Mills normally despatches the majority of his inmates to the more local Lingfield, so given that he is bothering to make the journey up to Wolverhampton can only add further encouragement to the selection's chances.

With Sandown abandoned, Taunton is left to stage the sole jumping action.

The ground is forecast to be testing, a criterion essential for Dolphinelle (1.40) to shine in division 1 of the two-mile NSPCC Maiden Hurdle.

Jamie Poulton's raider gave a good account when fifth on a similar surface at Plumpton last month, an outing giving every indication he's on the verge of opening his account over timber.

Martin Pipe pulls a real rabbit out of the hat by producing the 2000 Newmarket Cesarewitch winner Heros Fatal (3.15) to contest the Sporting Edge Novices Chase.

Heros Fatal is not only a very smart stayer on the Flat, but also equally good over hurdles. The multi-talented gelding now seeks to show just how good he can be over the bigger obstacles with seemingly only Soundtrack capable of stopping him completing the set over fences.

In the following Taunton Bookies Handicap Hurdle, the all-conquering Pipe/McCoy combination should be back in the winners' circle with the hat-trick seeking Guard Duty (3.45).

He's already won twice over track and trip, the latest victory achieved in bloodless fashion when slamming Lanzlo by 12 lengths.

l Officials at Sandown are hopeful of beating the elements with an all-chase card set to be staged at the Surrey track tomorrow.

Sandown's planned card for today was abandoned due to waterlogging and officials also decided the hurdle course at the Esher track would not be fit for racing tomorrow either.

But hopes are high that a six-race card combining the chases from both days can be staged.

Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said: ''We've taken the decision that the hurdle course will not be raceable on Friday either.

''We will proceed with the all-steeplechase option on Friday, adding the three chases from Thursday to the three on Friday, and I suspect that will be subject to an inspection some time tomorrow.

''We would be hopeful of racing on Friday. It has been frosty but dry.

An inspection for tomorrow's all-chase card will take place tomorrow afternoon at 3pm.

Conditions are said to be looking good of Friday's other jumps action at Fakenham. Clerk of the course David Hunter said: ''A slight frost is forecast for tonight but we've no problems at the moment.