Phil Kirby, who moved from Castleton on the North York Moors to Middleham this time last year, has seen his career soar since both on the Flat and over jumps.

In taking over Kate Walton’s yard, Kirby virtually doubled his string in one fell swoop and has since added further numbers to take him up to 50-plus horses.

Placing his inmates effectively is one of Kirby’s prime attributes and he can prove the point at Southwell today by scoring with Jawaab in the 32Red.com Amateur Riders’ Handicap.

Jawaab may be a veteran, but the ten-year-old is still capable of holding his own in run-of-the-mill company as he confirmed at Wolverhampton six weeks ago when he scored under Joe Fanning by a cosy margin.

A previous winner on this course, Jawaab will relish every yard of this two-mile contest and is napped to prevail for the up-and-coming Kirby.

Michael Appleby, who trains near Southwell racecourse, has been enjoying a purple patch of late and this astute trainer can add to his growing tally with another brace of winners.

Appleby saddles Khajaaly in the claimer and the seven-year-old has a fighting chance on his best form, while in the Ladbrokes Handicap, recent Wolverhampton winner Maggie Pink is fancied to follow up.

Aboard both the Appleby horses is Andrew Mullen, whose career in the saddle has been rejuvenated since joining forces with this stable last year.

Also worth noting are Richard Fahey’s consistent Lexi’s Hero (12.30), who will have the services of Jamie Spencer in the opening sprint handicap, and the promising Charlotte Rhodes (3.00), who represents Newmarket trainer Marco Botti.

Over jumps at Huntingdon, Cloud Creeper looks sure to go well in the 32RedPoker.com Maiden Hurdle.

Trained by Philip Hobbs, whose horses are in good heart, Cloud Creeper has finished second on his last two starts and went down by only a whisker at Fontwell last time. He is overdue a winning turn and has Richard Johnson in the saddle.

Keith Reveley sends Delta Forty south in search of Listed glory in the Huntingdon Racecourse Mares’ National Hunt Flat Race.

A Uttoxeter winner in the summer, Delta Forty ran well in defeat on her recent comeback at Southwell. This is tougher but it would be no surprise to see her involved in the finish.

Impressive Doncaster winner Mijhaar (12.10) and Mentalist (1.40), from the in-form Venetia Williams stable, also take the eye.
 

Racing selections

Southwell today 12.30 Lexi’s Hero, 1.00 Max The Machine, 1.30 Khajaaly, 2.00 Maggie Pink, 2.30 Greek Islands, 3.00 Charlotte Rhodes, 3.30 Jawaab (NAP).

Huntingdon today 12.10 Mijhaar, 12.40 Flemi Two Toes, 1.10 Just Benny, 1.40 Mentalist, 2.10 Phare Isle, 2.40 Cloud Creeper, 3.10 Delta Forty, 3.40 River Deep.

Today’s other meetings: Ayr, and Wolverhampton Tomorrow’s meetings: Musselburgh, Southwell and Wolverhampton.