Howard Johnson, who ended a brief lean spell at Catterick yesterday when saddling two winners, can follow-up with a further brace at Musselburgh tomorrow, writes Tom O'Ryan.

The County Durham trainer can score with Dalaram and Farlington, the latter holding an engagement in the Pencaitland Beginners' Chase over three miles.

Runner-up in all his three races this season, Farlington is overdue a win. Opportunity can come knocking here under Graham Lee, who won on both Albany and Grey Abbey for Johnson yesterday.

Johnson saddles four runners in the opening Dean Prince Juvenile Maiden Hurdle, the pick of which could be Dalaram, the mount of Lee, his number one jockey.

Although unplaced on his hurdling bow, Dalaram, a decent horse on the Flat, is considered capable of better. This looks a good opening for him.

The £10,000 Penicuik Show-case Handicap Hurdle is the richest race on the card, and course specialist Bodfari Signet is set to give his backers a good run for their money.

Sue Bradburne's gelding invariably saves his best displays for this track and was a good fourth to Middleway over three miles here last month.

That trip probably stretched his stamina, and tomorrow's return to the minimum trip may suit him better.

Middleway himself has the vote in the Longniddry Condit-ional Jockeys' Handicap Chase. It is to be hoped the switch from hurdles to fences does not inconvenience Kate Milligan's course-and-distance winner, a fair fourth on his latest visit to Musselburgh. Guilsborough Gorse is the likely main rival.

The Haddington Interme-diate National Hunt Flat Race has been divided into two divisions and Len Lungo's progressive Word Gets Around is fancied to lift the first leg.

A workmanlike winner at Catterick last month, the six-year-old looks to be going the right way. He has the nap.

Tony McCoy is an interesting booking for River Mist in division two and Don Eddy's charge is fancied to leave his unplaced effort here last month behind this time.

At Southwell, Spanish Star makes a quick reappearance after scoring on the course earlier in the week. Norma Macauley's gelding showed battling qualities that day and could follow-up in the Bet Direct Claiming Stakes also over 11 furlongs. Tony Culhane again has the mount.

Norton trainer James Hetherton bids for a second course win in the Bet Direct Banded Stakes with Dash Of Magic. Chris Catlin, who has already scored on the gelding this winter, has the mount.

Tomorrow's Tips:

Musselburgh

1-45 Dalaram; 2-15 Farlington; 2-45 Corbie Lynn; 3-15 Bodfari Signet; 3-45 Middleway; 4-15 Word Gets Around (NAP); 4-45 River Mist.

Southwell

2-00 Smart Scot; 2-30 Spanish Star; 3-00 Dash Of Magic; 3-30 Unleaded; 4-00 Aguila Loco; 4-30 Danakim.

There are no other race meetings in England tomorrow.

Today's meetings at Wetherby and Chepstow were to go ahead after passing course inspections this morning.

Updated: 10:56 Saturday, February 07, 2004