HOPES are high that improving weather will ease the icy conditions enough for tomorrow's Wetherby race meeting to go ahead.

Tim Betteridge, Wetherby Racecourse chief executive, said that the signs were good. Warmer weather yesterday took Sunday night's heavy frost out of the ground. Last night's frost was not severe and today's sun will help.

Man On The Hill has an excellent chance of getting back in the winning groove. Owned by David Johnson, Martin Pipe's principal patron, Man On The Hill is trained in North Yorkshire by Ferdy Murphy.

A prolific winner earlier in his career, the 10-year-old has had his share of problems since. But his latest effort, at Newcastle, when second to course specialist Aelred, left the impression that his return to winning form will not be long.

Tomorrow's Brandsby Handicap Chase, over two and a half miles, is the target for Man On The Hill.

Cleveland-based jockey Graham Lee, who is enjoying a wonderful season, can win on Tiger Frog in the Helmsley Handicap Hurdle.

John Mackie's gelding has found been second on his last two starts, most recently at Catterick last month when he chased home the in-form Al Mabrook.

Sheriff Hutton trainer Mick Easterby, always a man to be feared at Wetherby, has good prospects of winning the Rocom Plantronics Handicap Hurdle with Middlethorpe.

The seven-year-old has been in fine form this winter and was beaten only a length by Baby Gee at Catterick on his latest outing. A previous winner here, he can score tomorrow.

At Southwell, Henry Tun is napped to complete a quick double by winning the New Site @ betdirect.co.uk Claiming Stakes. The John Balding-trained sprinter scored at Southwell on Sunday. The accomplished David Allan, apprenticed to Tim Easterby, has the ride.

This afternoon's Catterick meeting was abandoned yesterday afternoon because of frost.

Wednesday's tips:

Wetherby

2.00 Archie Babe, 2.35 Royal Emperor, 3.10 Middlethorpe, 3.45 Man On The Hill, 4.20 Our Dream, 4.55 Edmo Heights, 5.30 Tiger Frog.

Southwell

1.50 Dancing King, 2.25 Fraamtastic, 3.00 Henry Tun (Nap), 3.35 Could She Be Magic, 4.10 Soul Provider, 4.45 Red Lancer, 5.20 Emeradia.

Tomorrow's other meeting is at Folkestone.

Updated: 12:08 Tuesday, March 02, 2004