Dave Nevison's top tips for the action on Wednesday

Racing tends to go out with a whimper on this day in December and Ludlow has mostly small fields in the handicaps.

Hopefully, these three can land me a shortish-priced birthday treble before the good stuff comes back on Boxing Day. Merry Christmas to all and stay safe.

12.15 Ludlow: Green Book

He really does look something of a ‘good thing’ to follow up.

Green Book doesn’t have the help of Ned Fox’s 10lb claim this time, but he still races off the same mark as when winning at Haydock in very good style last weekend. The extra five furlongs here will definitely be in his favour too, as he won the Chester Plate over 2 ¼ miles and was finishing well in the marathon Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot earlier this year.

Green Book was well-backed at shortish odds on Saturday but never looked like getting beat. He can’t be opposed in this race for amateur riders.

3.55 Southwell: Desert Lime

Racing off the same mark as last time, he looks well-handicapped.

Desert Lime hasn’t run a bad race since joining George Boughey from Dermot Weld and, after not staying seven furlongs, seemed to appreciate dropping down to the minimum trip last time. He just didn’t get going quickly enough and was probably unlucky not to win.

This looks set to be run at a very strong pace and, with the new Southwell track riding a little slow at present, the leaders might be coming back to Desert Lime - one of the few here with the potential to improve.

4.30 Southwell: Scarborough Castle

With even just a decent-run race, he should be able to show himself well-handicapped.

Scarborough Castle failed to land the hat-trick last time but a line can be put through that as the race was run at a dawdle, not suiting his come-from-behind style as the leaders just didn’t stop in front of him.

He is off the same mark here and the long straight at Southwell should suit him very well.