REG AKEHURST has revealed he is set to be double handed in his bid for a first victory in the Tote Cesarewitch at Newmarket on October 19th. The Epsom trainer, who has landed virtually every other big handicap in the calendar, is likely to. run both Ascot Stakes winner Southern Power and Ballynakelly, who has won his last seven starts.

Southern Power, successful at Goodwood when he last ran in July, has been given 8st 13lb in the weights published yesterday for the two and a quarter mile event and Ballynakelly 7st 13lb.

"I haven't had a lot of joy in the Cesarewitch, though I haven't had many runners, but both are likely to run," Akehurst said.

"Southern Power is fine and we know he gets the trip. We don't know about Ballynakelly, although I don't see any reason why he shouldn't stay. I don't know whether Ballynakelly can improve any further, although he has been racing over a mile and six and he could improve for the trip.

Both of them will run beforehand. I am thinking about running Ballynakelly at Newbury in the Autumn Cup but l am not sure about Southern Power."

The weights are headed by Daraydan (9st 10lb), one of Martin Pipe's four entries.

Henry Cecil's two entrants include Canon Can, who is set to carry 7st 9lb. Canon Can escapes a 4lb penalty for his victory in Tuesday's Phil Bull Trophy at Pontefract, as the penalty value for that race is less than £8,000.

Last year's second and third, Nanton Point and Top Cees, are both in the field again but neither is a certain runner.

Guy Harwood has set his sights on a repeat victory for Captain's Guest who has run only once - since his triumph under 9st 9lb in 1994 yet still has 9st 3lb this year.

"It is his prime objective for the season," said Harwood.