The quality of the racing isn't the highest, however there are some decent sized fields and the racing should be very competitive.

The highlight of the card is the class four, six-furlong handicap at 4.30pm.

Elusive Hawk lines up for this and is chasing a hat-trick at Southwell, having won over course and distance on his last two attempts.

His last win was a decisive two and a half length victory on his first appearance in a handicap, and if he can return to the course in a similar vein of form after a fifty-six day break, he should run well.

He is currently priced at around 7/2 with Boylesports which could prove good value.

Horses associated in the Barney Curley ownership should never be dismissed lightly, especially if there is market interest prior to the off.

For those of you who would prefer to find something with more value, Crying Aloud has an outstanding chance at 14/1 with Boylesports.

This filly by Street Cry is a previous course and distance winner, and last time out she lined up in a Group 3 race at Newmarket over seven furlongs.

Although she was beaten 25 lengths by very smart winner, John Gosden's Infallible, she pulled very hard in the early stages of the race and quite possibly didn't get the seven furlongs.

Although she has been off the track for one hundred and thirty-nine days, Paul Blockley is certainly going to have made sure she is fit, and she would be one to beat.

Another race which throws up some interesting runners is the opening maiden stakes at 2.10pm.

This contest for two year olds is run over a mile, and the field of fourteen has representatives from top stables such as Sir Mark Prescott, Mark Johnston and Godolphin.

Sir Mark's Choral Festival looks likely to be the short priced favourite after staying on strongly when runner up in a maiden race in the soft at Beverley.

A horse which will represent more value however (currently 6/1 with Boylesports), is Mark Johnston's interesting runner Age Of Magic. This Rahy filly has been upped three furlongs since her debut at Pontefract and if she settles, would be one to back each-way.

She is owned by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum who has a terrific record with his horses in training, and Mark Johnston has a 26% record at Southwell with his runners.

Haydock hosts the Sprint Cup on Saturday and Red Clubs won this last year at 16/1.

I'm again keen on a couple of big priced runners and certainly wouldn't put anyone off taking the 16/1 about Balthazaar's Gift, or the 40/1 about Benbaun.

Both have proved that they handle cut in the ground and could easily make the frame if lining up.

At the time of writing, the ground is soft at Haydock and it may be worth buying winning distances with Sporting Index before racing, as fields tend to get more strung out in these testing conditions.

Getaway was an impressive winner in France last weekend and looks an interesting proposition for next month's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at around 16/1.

However, the best bet at this stage looks to be Mick Channon's Youmzain at around the 12.1 with Betdaq.

The strong pace, likely soft ground, and big field, will play to all of his strengths, and he could easily go one better than last year.