Like panning for gold among a lot of useless silt, eventually something interesting will fall into your lap. And Silver Harrow shines out from an otherwise unappetising menu in the first division of the Tipperary Apprentices' Handicap at Southwell today. Some professional punters avoid betting on the all-weather, some avoid apprentices' races and most avoid both. But Silver Harrow catches the eye here and can make the most of a lenient-looking handicap mark.

Tony Newcombe does well with his small Devon string and makes a near 500-mile round trip to the Nottinghamshire track with his two representatives - one in each division of this race, restricted to less-experienced apprentices.

And in jocking up Paul Bradley - hailing from the Cockerham academy of Jack Berry - for both his charges, Newcombe has secured the services of one of the more experienced pilots in a race restricted to those who have not ridden more than 10 winners.

Mid-division at Lingfield last time out on his first race back from a break of a couple of months, the grey son of Belmez should strip a little fitter this time.

His previous run at Leicester when runner-up to Myttons Mistake in a similar sort of contest puts him in with a great chance here - especially as his handicap mark here is no less than 27lb less than he carried that day.

The reason for this apparent disparity is his generally disappointing level of form on all-weather surfaces but although a habitual hard-puller, Silver Harrow should settle in this big field and looks well capable of springing a surprise.

Allinson's Mate was well backed before his third to Theatre Magic over course and distance seven days ago and although he faces that rival again, it looks significant that connections have not shied away from a re-match and should be supported in the first division of the Wicklow Handicap.

Now receiving 9lb for a three and a half-length beating with able young rider Victoria Appleby - who gets on particularly well with this horse - taking a further 7lb off his back, Allinson's Mate can reverse placings with last week's conqueror and land the spoils.

A promising novice in 1995/6, Royale Angela missed last season but has bounced back this term and can complete his hat-trick in the Chailey Handicap Hurdle at Plumpton.

He was unfortunate to come up against the useful Deano's Beeno on his Newton Abbot reappearance, beaten by four lengths, the pair a distance clear.

But Royale Angela confirmed that run at Worcester last month, beating Ainsi Soit II by four lengths - form which has worked out very well.

He then ran at Plumpton and defied a 7lb penalty in game fashion, beating Kelly Mac by three quarters of a length.

Days of severe weather in Sussex - including a tornado - cannot have been fun for the locals but Royale Angela's trainer Jim Neville won't be complaining.

He enjoys a 50 per cent strike-rate at the track and Royale Angela revels in the mud.