Praise for Southwell As Long Closure Ends

Southwell's Fibresand racetrack could not live up to its "all-weather" billing after June floods washed most of the surface away. But it was business as usual for Southwell regulars yesterday when racing resumed with an eight-race card which elicited favorable comments from the jockeys taking part.

"It rode great, similar to before, and we are all delighted," said Dale Gibson, who had two mounts yesterday. "All the jockeys have total confidence in the surface.

"Southwell is my favorite of the all-weather courses, actually," added Gibson. "I find it is the most straightforward of all to ride. There is still work to do on the general facilities, but that will come. The main thing is there were some very happy people there."

Sublimity, the reigning champion hurdler, is 5-2 favorite with Ladbrokes to make a winning return to action in the boylesports.com International Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday. But yesterday the seven-year-old's trainer, John Carr, warned that his stable star would not be at concert pitch first time out.

"It would be nice to win and it would be a great relief as we would be able to let him down and bring him back up again for the AIG Champion Hurdle [at Leopardstown on January 27]. If he gets beat it would be disappointing, but it would not be the end of the world," said Carr.

While Sublimity drifted to 5-2 from 7-4 with Boylesports yesterday, Afsoun, who has the benefit of a recent run, was well backed for the International with Ladbrokes, who cut Nicky Henderson's gelding to 4-1 from 5s. Second to Hardy Eustace at Ascot last month, Afsoun sets out on a "fact-finding mission" at Cheltenham according to his trainer.

During a press day at his Lambourn yard yesterday, Henderson explained the decision to bring Afsoun back in distance after his run over two miles and three furlongs at Ascot. "Afsoun has pace and he travels well in his races, but he needs a truly-run race to show his form," said Henderson.

"Mick Fitzgerald said they were never going fast enough for Afsoun at Ascot and that is hardly the signal to switch him to three miles. We are on a finding-out mission, but so are lots of others."

Ron Cox's tip of the day

Diarius 3.10 Leicester

Lucy Wadham's New market stable is in good form, and Diarius looks ready to strike following a couple of promising efforts. A Newbury winner last season, when he showed he could handle soft ground, Diarius finished fifth behind the improved Eden Linty on his return and occupied the same placing in the race won by Esprit De Corps at Huntingdon. He will appreciate this stiffer stamina test.