PROSPECTS of National Hunt racing resuming tomorrow looked more promising today. No problems are reported at either Ludlow or Taunton.

This afternoon's jumps meetings at Wetherby and Chepstow was abandoned yesterday, both tracks being waterlogged in places.

Yesterday's jumps cards at Catterick and Leicester fell victim to the wet weather.

The quirky Frileux Royal heads back to Ludlow tomorrow aiming to prove that his success there last week was no fluke.

The Tom George-trained nine-year-old goes for the Faucets Handicap Hurdle and has a 7lb penalty to carry, following his recent nine lengths victory, when he was 7lb 'wrong' in the handicap.

Consequently, he will be racing off exactly the same mark tomorrow, so the 'extra' weight is unlikely to cause Frileux Royal too much inconvenience.

Of more concern to backers, I fancy, will be the gelding's inconsistent record, which had seen him refuse twice in three of his previous races before last week.

Wondering what sort of mood Frileux Royal will be in hardly makes for a comfortable time if money is at stake.

So, although I am prepared to give him a positive vote, I would still advise keeping any bets on this unpredictable character to an absolute minimum.

Vincent Van Gogh, successful in the past at Ludlow, makes plenty of appeal under a light weight in the feature race of the day tomorrow, the Forbra Gold Challenge Cup Chase.

Adrian Maguire's mount has won his last two completed starts and is seemingly in cracking form. He is awarded my Nap vote.

Tosawi should take all the beating in the Tote Theresa Clucas Retirement 'National Hunt' Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

Trained by Ron Hodges, Tosawi has been in great heart this winter and gained his second success in good style at Taunton last month.

The six-year-old had a length and a half to spare over War Tune that day after being sent off the 11-4 favourite. He looks capable of obliging again.

Vincent Van Gogh, no stranger to this course, where he has been successful in the past, makes plenty of appeal under a light weight in the day's feature race, the Forbra Gold Challenge Cup Chase.

Adrian Maguire's mount has won his last two completed starts and is seemingly in cracking form. He is awarded the nap vote.

At Taunton, Waterberg can clinch the Royal Bath & West Novices' Chase under Richard Johnson.

The seven-year-old won in convincing style at Ludlow last time out and looks the type to develop into a decent money-spinner for trainer Henry Daly.

Titus Bramble has strong claims in the Thurlbear Novices' Handicap Chase.

The five-year-old has finished runner-up in two of his last three starts and, although no star, looks capable of capturing the spoils in this modest contest.

Tomorrow's tips:

Ludlow

2.00 Sonevafushi

2.30 Mistletoe

3.00 Tosawi

3.30 Vincent Van Gogh

(Nap)

4.00 Frileux Royal

4.30 Rusty Fellow

5.00 Scottish Dance

Taunton

2.10 Dantie Boy

2.40 Flying Bold

3.10 Waterberg

3.40 Millcroft Seaspray

4.10 Titus Bramble

4.40 Fanfaron

5.10 St Helensfield

Updated: 13:00 Wednesday, February 27, 2002