Robert Winston returns to domestic action at Southwell tomorrow after spending six weeks in California.

The Malton jockey, who has been sharpening his skills in the United States, also tested his survival qualities during his visit.

Winston miraculously escaped uninjured from a recent nasty fall, when his swerving mount collided with the running rail and fell in a race at Golden Gates Field in Albany.

Britain's champion apprentice rider two years ago, Winston will take upa new post as stable-jockey to Lynda Ramsden near Thirsk when the Flat turf season kicks into gear in March.

In the meantime, he will be busying himself on the sand, starting tomorrow at Wolverhampton.

Winston teams-up with Woolfe in Scrabble's Birthday Median Auction Maiden Stakes.

Ian Semple's Scottish raider showed obvious signs of ability on turf last season, but she is an unknown quantity on sand.

Woolfe promises to give Winston a good ride, but my preference is for Boadicea The Red, trained at Malton by Brian Rothwell.

Runner-up in her last three outings on all-weather surfaces, Boadicea The Red is overdue a winning turn.

Jorrocks is napped to clinch the featured Tote Exacta 1-2 Handicap for Sheriff Hutton trainer Mick Easterby.

The seven-year-old has been in cracking form on the sand in recent weeks and looked a slightly unlucky loser at Wolverhampton recently when just failing to catch the enterprisingly-ridden Young-Un.

Southwell seems to suit Jorrocks best of all, and, with Jimmy Quinn, who knows him so well, back on board, a return to winning ways is anticipated.

Tufty Hopper gets my vote in New Jersey Turnpike Handicap. Paul Howling's four-year-old is a proven competitor on the sand and will appreciate this return to Southwell, having appeared to find the faster surface at Lingfield against him nine days ago.

The Tour de France Selling Stakes offers the in-form Colonel Custer a bright chance of completing a rapid hat-trick of wins. Accomplished apprentice Ian Mongan takes the mount.

Tomorrow's tips

Southwell

1.30...............................Flapdoodle

2.00..............................Caversfield

2.30...................Boadicea The Red

3.00........................Jorrocks (Nap)

3.30........................Colonel Custer

4.00..........................Tufty Hopper

Updated: 12:07 Thursday, January 18, 2001