Two of North Yorkshire’s most talented handicap hurdlers head to Southwell today for some much-needed competitive action – minus any obstacles.

With the weather continuing to keep jump racing, particularly in the north at a standstill, Norton trainers Brian Ellison and John Quinn have elected to take advantage of this afternoon’s extra Flat meeting, which is designed to provide racing opportunities for hurdlers and chasers.

Ellison runs Bothy in the toteexacta “Jumpers Bumper” National Hunt Flat Race, while Quinn saddles Recession Proof in the same two-mile contest.

Bothy’s last appearance, in the valuable Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham last month, saw him finish a neck second to Menorah, who has since won again at Cheltenham and is now one of the favourites for the Champion Hurdle in March.

Recession Proof has won two of his three starts over hurdles this season and was well fancied for the Ladbroke Hurdle at Ascot earlier this month, only for the meeting to bow to frost.

Both Ellison and Quinn need to keep their respective charges as near race-fit as they can, in readiness for when jump racing resumes, and today’s race will aid their cause.

It promises to be a fascinating clash – not that it’s a two-horse race by any means with the likes of recent course winner Bivouac in the field, along with one or two other useful performers.

But the jumps handicapper has precious little to choose on his ratings between Bothy and Recession Proof.

Marginal preference is for Bothy, who is particularly at home on a soft surface on turf and who may consequently be better suited to Southwell’s Fibresand surface.

Ellison and Quinn have other good chances on the same card.

Palomar (3.05) represents Ellison, who has done a good job with this former Nicky Richards-trained gelding.

Winner of a valuable hurdle at Market Rasen in September, he has since won a decent handicap on the Flat at Musselburgh.

Quinn runs Ballybriggan (1.55), who was a winner on his first outing over timber this season and who most recently finished a good third in handicap company at Cheltenham.

Alan Swinbank, based at Melsonby near Richmond, is another North Yorkshire trainer with good prospects of figuring on the scoresheet, just as he did last week when he saddled three winners at a similar fixture.

Two of those winners, Priceless Art (1.20) and First Rock (3.35) look destined to oblige once more.

Both scored handsomely last week and look tailor-made for what is required to win Flat races around this course.

Swinbank also saddles an interesting newcomer in Anychancedave (12.50), a son of Act One, who makes appeal on pedigree in the opener.

At Kempton tomorrow, make a note of North Yorkshire trainer Ann Duffield, who has double prospects with the speedy Crystallus (4.20), who is overdue a win, and Insolenceofoffice (6.50), who has plenty going for him in claiming company, not least previous course-winning form.


Racing selections

Southwell (Today)
12.50 Anychancedave, 1.20 Priceless Art, 1.55 Ballybriggan, 2.30 Bothy, 3.05 Palomar, 3.10 First Rock.

Today’s other meetings: Ffos Las and Lingfield.

Kempton (Tomorow)
4.20 Crystallus, 4.50 Ebraam, 5.20 Fifth In Line, 5.50 Rasheed, 6.20 Energizing, 6.50 Insolenceofoffice (NAP), 7.20 Iron Condor, 7.50 Picansort.

Tomorrow’s other meetings: Newbury and Wolverhampton.