Backing horses in form on the all-weather surface can often pay dividends, which is why Straffan makes plenty of appeal at Southwell tomorrow.

The four-year-old, trained at Norton by James Hetherton, was successful on this track a couple of weeks ago and returns to bid for a double in the Text 'Betdirect' Banded Stakes.

Straffan made every yard of the running on her latest outing when, partnered by Dale Gibson, she beat Jalouhar by one and a half lengths.

Boston Spa-based Gibson again takes the mount tomorrow when Straffan is fancied to oblige again, despite reverting to five furlongs from six.

Robert Winston can figure on the scoreboard on Feast Of Romance in the betdirect.co.uk Banded Stakes.

The nine-year-old, trained by Conor Dore, confirmed his well-being with a spirited effort over this course and distance earlier in the month when he failed by only a neck to get the better of Wings Of Morning.

It is some time since Feast Of Romance last scored, but, as a direct result, he has slumped in the weights and now figures on a very lenient rating. He can make the most of it here.

Andrew Mullen, who is attached to Kevin Ryan's Hambleton yard, has good prospects of taking the opening honours aboard Crocodile Kiss, trained at Lambourn by Jamie Osborne.

The four-year-old returned to the fray in encouraging style on this course a fortnight ago when failing by only half a length to get the better of Sound And Vision.

Normal improvement from that comeback outing should stand Crocodile Kiss in good stead this time and he is gets my Nap vote.

Favouring (2.10), trained by the in-form Richard Fahey, and the consistent Tharua (3.40), a regular on this course, are also worth noting.

Thursday's tips

Southwell

1.40 Crocodile Kiss (Nap), 2.10 Favouring, 2.40 Beamsley Beacon, 3.10 Straffan, 3.40 Tharua, 4.10 Feast Of Romance.

Ludlow

1.20 Canadian Storm, 1.50 Tamarinbleu, 2.20 Day Of Claies, 2.50 Alcopop, 3.20 Kimono Royal, 3.50 Noun De La Thinte, 4.20 Magical Harry.

Tomorrow's other meeting is at Taunton.

Updated: 12:02 Wednesday, January 18, 2006