ANDREW PARKER'S decision to send D J Flippance back over hurdles at Sedgefield should not hinder his chances one jot in the Weatherbys Insurance Handicap Hurdle.

D J Flippance (3.10) was on duty over fences at Ayr last time out, plugging on dourly to collar Kerry Lads in a protracted duel fought out from the second last obstacle.

There's no question that was a far hotter race than the one the selection contests today, a point borne out handsomely by the victory of Kerry Lads on his very next racecourse appearance

Given Parker's game and genuine chestnut now takes a significant drop in class, there seems no reason why D J Flippance can't continue his winning ways, especially as the soft ground is sure to suit.

Most horses have been packed off to grass by the time they're 14, but not the evergreen Gospel Song, who looks more than capable of defying top-weight in the John Wade Selling Handicap Hurdle.

Even though not quite as good as he used to be in his youth, Gospel Song (2.10) still managed to bag second spot behind the extremely well handicapped Polar Gunner ten days ago.

A reproduction of that level of form should see the Alistair Whillans-trained veteran go one better in today's two-and-a-half-mile test, an event which is distinctly short on quality.

At the risk of tempting fate, Canavan (2.40) probably only has to stand up in order to capture the Cameron Beginners Chase.

Ferdy Murphy, in the money via Green Ideal at Ayr yesterday, has his team in terrific fettle, which is good news for supporters of Canavan, who ran with plenty of promise to chase home Weapons Inspector at the course in December.

With frost threatening both jumps fixtures, Southwell could be the only venue where any action takes place.

As usual for a Banded meeting it's low-grade stuff, although connections of Sonderborg (3.30) might take exception to that comment, having witnessed their five-year-old dead heating with Sierra over track and trip recently.

Sonderborg is now 6lb better off with Sierra, which together with the benefit of stall number one, makes for a potent case to invest on John Mackie's representative.

* Both Sedgefield and Leicester must pass early morning inspections due to forecast overnight frost.

* Irish mare Asian Maze and Howard Johnson's No Refuge head the 18 entries for the Byrne Bros Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Tom Mullins' seven-year-old has not been seen since recording impressive wins at both the Aintree and Punchestown Festivals.

No Refuge side-stepped an engagement at Lingfield last weekend and could be joined in the line-up by stable companion Royal Rosa, who has not run since finishing third in the Rendlesham Hurdle at Kempton last February.

* Celestial Gold heads Martin Pipe's team of five confirmed for the Letheby & Christopher Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The 2004 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup winner has not raced since finishing seventh to Kicking King in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup last March.

Pipe's other possibles are Comply Or Die, Joaaci, Our Vic and Therealbandit.

The latter was second in this race last year when it was known as the Pillar Property Chase and the first and third - Grey Abbey and Royal Auclair - also figure among the 18 acceptors.

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