ROBELLION, campaigned at sprint distances in 1995, has been a different proposition since being allowed to tackle a mile and beyond, and he can prove the point in the 10 furlong Clematis Handicap at Lingfield today.

David Arbuthnot's gelding, who could boast just one win over five furlongs at Chepstow among his haul for last year, has already doubled that tally, and further success looks assured.

His first attempt at a mile yielded a promising fourth to Labudd here, keeping on at the finish to be beaten two and a half lengths.

He stepped up on that when winning a similar event over the same distance, leading at the 11th hour to hold Bakers Daughter by half a length.

A step back to seven furlongs again at Lingfield produced a creditable third to Wild Strawberry. But it was not until he tackled a mile and a quarter last time out that Robellion put up his best effort on the sand.

The subject of several hefty bets, which compressed his odds from 6-1 to 4s, the bay made ground on the leaders under Ray Cochrane over three furlongs from home, led entering the last and had merely to be pushed out to beat Zahid by two and a half lengths.

He is encumbered with a 5lb penalty for that victory which is probably the amount by which he will be raised by the handicap but the way he accounted for his rivals suggested he had something in reserve if needed.

David Loder's Meldorf looked a very promising juvenile indeed when successful on his debut at Newcastle in September, lengthening clear of a fairish field of maidens to beat Hoh Returns by four lengths.

On the strength of that performance he started favourite for the valuable Tote Two Year Old Trophy at Redcar the following month, but got no run from an early stage and finished 14 of the 26 runners.

He has evidently been showing his astute trainer that he is ready to get on with things and it will be most disappointing if he fails to land the Forsythia Conditions Stakes.

The Arctic weather refuses to loosen its grip on racing in Britain, with the whole week's turf programme now facing a wipeout.

With fixtures for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday already having fallen victim to the cold, today's cards at Huntingdon and Wincanton wasted little time in following suit yesterday.

Wincanton, due to stage the valuable Premiere Auction Novices' Hurdle and Racing In Wessex Chase, was the first to go.

The track at Huntingdon has managed to avoid the snow, but frost deep in the ground was sufficient to end its chances.