PERCY BRAITHWAITE'S failure to clear the second last fence at Market Rasen in November cost his backers a pretty packet because the nine-year-old was so far clear he only had to stand up to win.

If you were one of those unlucky punters whose money went west with the gelding's unfortunate exit, then today could be the day to retrieve losses by siding with Pam Ford's runner in the Attwood Memorial Handicap Chase at Ludlow.

Ludlow's obstacles are not nearly so trappy as the ones at Market Rasen, a point highlighted by the selection's half-length victory in a two-mile novices' handicap at the track just under a year ago.

This afternoon's extra half-mile shouldn't present any problems to Percy Braithwaite, in fact it might well prove to be a help rather than a hindrance since he'll have more time to organise himself at his fences.

In the preceding Mares' Only Handicap Hurdle, Miss Lacroix's (2.40) local knowledge might make all the difference.

She's twice run well at the Shropshire venue, firstly making every yard of the running to brush aside market leader Suez Tornado, followed by an arguably even better effort in stronger company when third to Mark Wilkinson's useful hurdler Three Weeks.

The strike-rate of Charlie Egerton's newcomers is far superior to the majority of his counterparts, therefore it probably came as something of a shock to the camp when Golden Eye (4.40) failed to justify favouritism on his jumping bow at Plumpton.

Although the defeat was clearly unexpected, the time of the race was very fast, suggesting the winner, Maximus, might be a star in the making. If that turns out to be the case, Golden Eye has a fine opportunity to make it second time lucky in the P. J. Jointing Novices' Hurdle.

Tactically shrewd Neil Callan has few peers when it comes to riding the all-weather equitrack at Lingfield.

Callan is particularly effective at hustling his mounts out of the stalls, a ploy which often results in establishing an invaluable early lead. It's a style of running which certainly suits Charge (2.30), a sprinter with the pace to blast out of the No 5 berth and leave the opposition for dead in the Cheever Claiming Stakes.

The self-same modus operandi is likely to be utilised by Neil aboard Pat The Builder (4.00) in the Welland Selling Stakes.

Karl Burke's plater has already picked up a brace of similar contests over track and trip, including last time out when he demonstrated not only the ability to break fast from the gate, but also oceans of courage in order to respond to a strong drive from Callan inside the final furlong.

In the closing Awesome Power Handicap, Sarena Pride (4.30) must have serious claims provided she settles in behind the pace-setting Lost Spirit.

Roland O'Sullivan's filly ruined her chance by pulling far too hard on her latest start, and had no fuel left in the tank at the end of the race.

To her credit she was still only beaten around six lengths into sixth spot by Hannibal Lad, form good enough to secure a first success over a mile-and-a-half for Sarena Pride.

lFormer point-to-pointer Curly Spencer scored in good style in the mud at Carlisle yesterday and is fancied to win again in the near future, racing for the first time in 288 days