THE effects of the foot and mouth epidemic leave just one card for British punters to immerse themselves in tomorrow, an all-weather affair at Southwell.

Of course tomorrow should have seen the start of the Cheltenham Festival, and there will be more than a slight sense of anti-climax for many racing followers.

But a winner is a winner at any course and Companion should fit the bill in the Bet Direct on 0800 211 222 Handicap.

The three-year-old's trainer Brian Pearce has been left with little option other than this route after his charge absolutely bolted up in a seven-furlong maiden at Lingfield last week.

Having his first start for the amiable handler - who does well at the all-weather tracks with limited resources - since being claimed out of William Haggas' stable, Companion attracted some decent bets before flooring That's Jazz by 11 lengths.

Kicked on at the home turn, he used his turn of foot to good effect andalthough this contest represents a step up in grade, a 6lb penalty for that success looks far from harsh given that the handicapper is likely to put him up by at least double that amount in the official ratings later this week.

Hugwity is worth chancing in the Bet Direct From Littlewoods Classified Claiming Stakes.

The nine-year-old is now firmly into the veteran stage of his career and has lost a lot of the speed which saw his running with great credit over the years in decent handicaps at around a mile on all-weather and turf surfaces.

But this first attempt at a mile and three-quarters looks well worth a stab, given the way he has been running on over a mile and a half recently.

This is his level and Hugwity can gain a 12th career success.

Jamie Osborne looks to have found a good opportunity for Indian Silk tomaintain her one hundred-per-cent record in the Charles Darwin Classified Stakes.

The nicely-bred daughter of Dolphin Street started off in a lowly seller over this course and distance but made a good impression, always travelling well before pulling clear in the final stages.

Her future lies in the breeding paddocks but Indian Silk looks up to winning another modest prize such as this.

Maron has possibilities in his division of the Bet Direct 'Today's Best Bets' Handicap.

He responded well to the urgings of Ian Mongan to score last time out atWolverhampton and is fairly weighted on the strength some fair form on turf last year.

On his most recent start at this track he was a fair sixth of 16 in a much better race and should be followed at this level while he remains in good heart.