SUCCESS for Arpeggio (3.00) at Southwell this afternoon would represent a real family affair since the six-year-old gelding is trained by David Nicholls and partnered by his son Adrian.

The pair have already combined to deadly effect over track and trip on January 5 when Nicholls junior produced a power-packed drive on Arpeggio to pip First Venture right on the wire.

Even the racecourse commentator thought the latter had won, but the camera never lies and the evidence of the subsequent photo-finish showed otherwise.

There was, however, a sting in the tail for young Adrian after the local Stewards saw fit to dish a three-day ban as a result of interference involving horse and rider during the race.

That wasn't the only bad news for the jockey because he also found trouble aboard Arpeggio on their latest start at Wolverhampton.

Backed as though defeat was out of the question, Nicholls was sitting as quiet as a church mouse on the inner simply waiting to pounce at the Midlands venue.

Unfortunately, and no doubt to the horror of the legion of punters who had put their money down, when Arpeggio was preparing to hit top gear at the two-furlong pole the door was slammed shut in his face.

Presumably not wishing to incur the wrath of the authorities so soon again, Adrian had to take his foot off the accelerator pedal and sit and suffer while the opposition whooshed by.

Provided no such hard luck stories recur today, Arpeggio, whose useful turf form compares favourably with virtually any of the other 15 runners, must be in with a serious shout of landing by far the best prize on the card for the £12,000 Showcase Handicap.

A long shot with the potential to upset the market leaders in the opening James Watt Handicap might be Trudie (1.30).

She was by no means disgraced on a couple of her juvenile starts, notably when sixth on her track and trip debut in May.

More encouragement can be gleaned by an examination of Trudie's pedigree, which reveals she's a daughter of Komaite, still arguably the most influential sire of winners on the sand in this country.

The finish of the St Henry Claiming Stakes promises to be fought out between Calko (2.00 and Be Warned.

The fitness of the former will have to be taken on trust following a 242-day absence, but he has a record second-to-none in this type of contest, while he should get every assistance from the talented Lynsey Hanna in the saddle.

Plenty of lesser trainers have benefited from John Gosden rejects and Ian Semple should be no exception as far as Woolfe (2.30) is concerned

She's a beautifully-bred filly by Wolfhound out of an Irish River mare. Gosden's connections decided to part company with her in the autumn, but not before she had demonstrated a modicum of ability when placed at Windsor and Haydock.

On the balance of her reasonable turf form, the lowly Scrabble's Birthday Maiden Stakes seems well within Woolfe's compass against a largely motley bunch of opponents.

The Tour De France Selling Stakes features a couple of recent winners, Pickens and Colonel Custer.

Despite their success, neither could be considered to be world-beaters and are always therefore vulnerable in this type of lowly grade.

If there is to be a surprise, Moonraking (3.30) would be eminently capable of coming out on top if anywhere near back to the sort form he was in at the course a couple of years ago.

Sue Wilton's raider prevailed over hurdles at Ludlow late last year, a sign that he could still be a threat on the level even if he is now approaching the veteran stage.

Finally to the New Jersey Handicap, a contest for which Westminster City will surely head the market, having finished fourth to Weet For Me in a far hotter heat 11 days ago.

With such a big weight he might find himself anchored in the home straight, allowing the consistent Pennys From Heaven (4.00) to come cantering by