If the weather forecasters have got it right then the all-weather fixture at Southwell could be the only meeting to take go ahead this afternoon.

In view of a horrendous forecast the meeting at Fontwell must be in serious doubt and the officials at Carlisle yesterday announced that the course would be subject to an early morning inspection.

One trainer at Southwell who won't mind the elements is Jimmy Harris and the local handler can be on the mark with Vincent in the two mile handicap and with Sharp Belline in the classified stakes over a mile and three furlongs.

Although he is a quirky sort Vincent has a fine record over this trip on Fibresand and he notched his latest victory over this course and distance in September when beating subsequent hurdles winner Monacle by a length.

My selection ran right up to his best when beaten by the progressive Furness over a mile and six here last time and the return to this trip should see him in an even better light. Seb Sanders looks an interesting booking and he is preferred to Half Tide, who should stay this trip.

Sanders also renews his partnership with Sharp Belline, who turned in his best effort to date when a short-head second to Mysterium over a mile and a half at Wolverhampton last time.

He has shown a fair level of form in both his outings to date on artificial surfaces and this contest gives the son of Robellino an excellent chance of opening his account.

The talented rider can also be on the mark with Victorious, who looks the bet of the afternoon in division 2 of the Bet Direct Today's Best Bets Handicap over a mile.

Richard Fahey's four-year-old, who won over seven at Wolverhampton and at Thirsk in the spring, put a poor run on bad ground at Newcastle behind him when third to Diamond Rachael back at Dunstall Park last time.

As he missed the break and was drawn on the wide outside on that occasion, he did well to finish as close as he did and he gave the impression that the step up to this trip could bring about further improvement.

Division 1 looks at the mercy of Guilsborough, who is unbeaten in three outings over this course and distance and should be all the better, despite not lasting home, for a run over a mile and a quarter at Windsor early last month.

His wide draw shouldn't be too much of a concern and Stan Finnamore removes a valuable five pounds from his load. He is taken to beat Jimmy Harris' Haunt The Zoo.

Velvet Island, a full sister to July Cup runner up Lincoln Dancer, is the fancy in an ordinary looking division 1 of the six furlong maiden and the second division can go to Sir Mark Prescott's Derby entry Picture Palace.

The six furlong nursery looks a very trappy event but a small wager is advised on Winter Dolphin, who should have benefited from her all-weather debut when fourth to Roxanne Mill at Wolverhampton last time.

From a yard that had a winner on the sand at Wolverhampton recently, the daughter of Dolphin Street should also be suited by the return to this trip and she isn't badly drawn in stall nine.

Willie Muir does well on artificial surfaces and his Coniston Mill has shown enough in two runs on turf to suggest she can go close in the seven furlong maiden stakes for three-year-olds.

l Mark Johnston's Hiddnah was a one-paced fourth in the Listed Buchmacher Kottkamp Silbernes Band der Ruhr at Mulheim yesterday.

Spirit Of Love, the Middleham trainer's 1999 winner of the 17-furlong race, the longest Flat event staged in Germany, was a late absentee owing to lameness.

Hiddnah held every chance but was found wanting inside the final quarter-mile and was beaten six and three-quarter lengths behind winner Evening Storm