LAMBOURN trainer Mick Channon can make an instant impact at Southwell tomorrow, on day two of the Flat turf season, with a colt who looks set to enjoy a profitable campaign.

South Cape, who had only three races last year, showed a useful level of ability and looks the type to thrive in his second season.

The £14,000 betfredcasino.com Conditions Stakes over seven furlongs looks an ideal starting point for him to begin the campaign on a winning note.

In the saddle will be North Yorkshire jockey Tony Culhane, who has an excellent strike rate on the Channon horses.

While today's opening fixture to the Flat turf season bizarrely takes place on sand, at least all of tomorrow's races at Southwell are staged on grass.

The going description is for soft ground, which will suit nap selection King's Gait from the Tim Easterby yard in the Betfred The Bonus King Handicap.

The mud-loving four-year-old ended last season with a flourish and looks the type to carry on the good work this term.

Easterby sent out a winner - his first on the Flat this year - on this course earlier in the week and King's Gait, the mount of David Allan, can start the season on a winning note.

Mark Johnston has massive strength in depth at his Middleham yard and the North's most successful trainer looks destined to get his name on the Southwell scoresheet. Johnston saddles the classy Shalapour in the Betfred Conditions Stakes and this former John Oxx inmate promises to be hard to beat under Joe Fanning.

Fanning will also be aboard Street Warrior, who showed a deal of promise last year, and who looks to have good prospects in the Betfred Maiden Stakes.

Local Poet, who has been in good form on the sand, will not lack in fitness in the Betfred Million Handicap over seven furlongs.

The Ian Semple-trained gelding, winner of two of his three starts this year, will be partnered by Malton jockey Tom Eaves, who has an excellent record for Semple and who has been riding at the top of his form all winter.

Tomorrow's jumping action comes from Newbury, where Winsley has good prospects in the £10,000 Montpelier Re Novices' Handicap Chase.

Oliver Sherwood's gelding, who opened his fencing account at Towcester, has run three solid races in defeat in handicap company since then and is overdue a success.

The useful Motorway (4.50) is another horse to note at the Berkshire course.

Today's meeting at Ludlow went ahead as scheduled after the track passed a 10am inspection.

Friday's tips:

Southwell: 2.20 Shalapour, 2.55 Champion Lion, 3.30 Street Warrior, 4.05 South Cape, 4.40 King's Gait (NAP), 5.10 Local Poet.

Newbury: 2.00 Calusa Charlie, 2.35 Sea Wall, 3.10 Winsley, 3.45 New Mischief, 4.20 Palmers Peak, 4.50 Motorway.

Tomorrow's other meeting is at Lingfield.

Updated: 11:58 Thursday, March 23, 2006