TRAINING racehorses can be a frustrating business. Just ask rookie Middleham handler Jedd O'Keeffe, who despite sending out a string of second placed horses since obtaining his licence in the autumn, has yet to occupy the cherished number one spot.

But that situation could be about to change in the opener at Southwell this afternoon via Doodle Bug (12.10) in division 1 of the Glastonbury Handicap.

O'Keeffe's filly made a satisfactory sand debut when fourth at the course in December to Mi Odds. In a race run over a mile-and-three-furlongs, Doodle Bug didn't really get going until well down the home straight by which time the leaders had flown.

Today she steps up to two miles, a trip judged by her stout pedigree is tailor made to enable the four-year-old to get her head in front.

In the later Mister Ed Fillies' Handicap, Dahlidya (2.10) bids to defy a 6lbs penalty incurred as a result of her track and trip victory on Monday.

She was good value for the near two-length victory so all things being equal the six-year-old mare has every chance of knocking in her second success within the space of five days.

The following seven-furlong King Camp Gillette Handicap features several regular visitors to the course including First Venture (2.40), a cosy winner at the Midlands all-weather venue back in November.

Lee Newman, currently holding third position behind George Baker and Neil Callan in the jockeys' championship, takes the ride on Conrad Allen's Newmarket traveller.

Newman's naturally aggressive style suits Southwell admirably, and I expect him to have First Venture in the front rank and out of the disadvantageous kickback throughout.

Followers of the in-form Nicky Henderson/Mick FitzGerald duo have been cleaning up lately, boding well for the prospects of both Mistletoe (3.30) and First Love (4.00) in the final two races at Ludlow.

l Northern racegoers lost out again yesterday with the abandonment of racing at Sedgefield.

But after frost put paid to fixtures at Catterick and Musselburgh earlier this week, it was waterlogging which forced the latest abandonment.

After an early-morning inspection of the track, Sedgefield clerk of the course James Hutchinson said: ''Unfortunately the meeting has been abandoned.

''We didn't have a lot of rain overnight, just about 4mm. But it was very wet to begin with and some parts of the course are waterlogged.''

A total of 55 jumps meetings have now been lost this season, 19 in the nine racing days since Christmas.

l Racing looks set to be hit hard by wet weather again this weekend with conditions at Sandown described as ''barely raceable'' ahead of tomorrow's main meeting. An inspection has been called for 9am today.

Ludlow is today's only jumps action following the abandonment of Towcester, while both tomorrow's meetings at Huntingdon and Uttoxeter are subject to inspections this afternoon