Champion jockey Kieren Fallon, who launched his title defence with a winner at Southwell yesterday, travels to Musselburgh tomorrow to go head-to-head with his great rival Kevin Darley.

I fancy Fallon to ride at least a couple of winners, starting with Thundered in the Eskmill Selling Stakes.

Alan Swinbank's four-year-old showed enough ability last season to suggest a race of this modest nature is within his grasp, and the booking of Fallon looks significant.

Piccled can be another winner for the four-times champion in the Montagu Evans Badger Handicap.

The four-year-old, trained by Eric Alston, is fit from an all-weather campaign and goes to Musselburgh after a win.

Fallon also has strong claims on Lucky Judge in the Spott Handicap, but the five-year-old is set to carry top weight and might struggle to concede more than two stones to I Got Rhythm.

The mount of Franny Norton, I Got Rhythm was a winner on the Flat last season over tomorrow's distance of two miles. Mary Reveley's charge is napped to oblige again.

Norton can also win the Montagu Evans JBH Maiden Auction Stakes on Robwillcall, trained by Alan Berry.

The same trainer and jockey won the corresponding race a year ago with Simianna. Robwillcall, a daughter of Timeless Times, carries plenty of confidence in her bid to win at the first time of asking.

At Leicester, Spring Pursuit will not be short of supporters in the Maureen Beighton Birthday Handicap.

The six-year-old made a promising start to the season at Doncaster last week when staying on stoutly to finish a threequarters length second to Middlethorpe in an apprentices' race.

Short Respite won the second of her two starts last season and looks the sort to improve again this term. Michael Bell's three-year-old deserves consideration as she returns to action in the featured Tote Placepot Handicap.

Star apprentice Jamie Mackay has the mount.

Tomorrow's tips:

Musselburgh

2.20 - Thundered

2.50 - Robwillcall

3.20 - I Got Rhythm (Nap)

3.50 - Piccled

4.20 - Murzim

4.50 - Howards Hero

Leicester

2.00 - Daana

2.30 - Esher Common

3.00 - Short Respite

3.30 - Spring Pursuit

4.00 - Leatherback

4.30 - Answered Promise

Updated: 13:20 Wednesday, March 27, 2002