The Southwell-Racecourse.co.uk Handicap Hurdle (3.35) on Thursday is plenty competitive enough, but Cusheen Bridge has shown a liking for the Nottinghamshire track and could be worth chancing, despite finishing last of eight, beaten 29 lengths, in a 0-130 contest at Warwick three weeks ago.

The Oscar gelding has form figures of 461621 at Southwell, 611 at Huntingdon and 5526488 anywhere else under Rules, so there’s a definite suggestion that he reserves his past for flat, fast tracks. If that’s the case, he drops back into 0-120 company off a 2lb lower mark than at Warwick and must have every chance of recording his second course and distance win.

He remains 5lb higher than when winning in this grade, over 1 mile 7½ furlongs, at Southwell on his penultimate start, but looked good value for his winning margin on that occasion and the step back up in distance shouldn’t do his chances any harm. Local trainer Charles Pogson has a fair, if unspectacular, record at Southwell and is having a respectable season with his small string.

Selection: Southwell 3.35 Cusheen Bridge to win