Fen Terrier can defy top weight of 12 stone at Musselburgh tomorrow.

The seven-year-old, trained near Penrith by Barry Murtagh, lines up for the Carberry Tower Novices' Handicap Chase and looks capable of conceding weight to all of her rivals.

Fen Terrier, a winning hurdler last season, was unlucky not to get off the mark on her second attempt over fences at Sedgefield.

Clear at the final fence she stumbled on landing and fell.

Deservedly, Fen Terrier gained compensation at Market Rasen early last month when scoring by six lengths from Down The Yard, after making every yard of the running.

Fen Terrier, a pretty useful performer on her day, can show her rivals a clean pair of heels tomorrow despite her welter burden.

Marble Man makes plenty of appeal in the Auld Reekie Handicap Chase.

Mark Peil's front-runner uncharacteristically fell on his latest start at Sedgefield, but had previously gained a one and a quarter lengths victory over Far East over this course and distance. James Crowley, who was in the saddle that day but not at Sedgefield, is back on board tomorrow.

The Mill Lade Handicap Chase offers Weaver George the chance to open his winning account for the season.

Trained by Wilf Storey, who sent out a winner at Catterick on New Year's Eve, Weaver George has finished third on both his starts this term and produced a particularly respectable display at Wetherby on Boxing Day when chasing home Eirespray (a good winner since at Cheltenham) and Maitre de Musique.

He faces less formidable opposition tomorrow and also has an extra half-mile to travel, which will suit him. With Richard McGrath taking the mount, Weaver George is entitled to the Nap vote.

Strong vibes have been coming from Middleham regarding the prowess of Wotherton, who makes his eagerly-awaited debut in the Musselburgh Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race.

Steve Kettlewell's gelding has earned himself a reputation on his home-work and he should not be underestimated.

Oversman is not the sort of horse on which to risk the housekeeping, let alone the mortgage, but Jimmy FitzGerald's charge may prove good enough to win the Pinkie Hill Conditional Jockeys' Selling Hurdle. The very experienced Seamus Durack has the mount.

The ground at Lingfield tomorrow is described as 'heavy', which will place particular emphasis on stamina, especially in the Haxted Novices' Chase over three miles.

True Fortune will not be found wanting for staying power after his sterling half-length defeat over the same distance at Uttoxeter last time when he was conceding the winner, Quiet Moments no less than 24 lb. He can go one better tomorrow under Jim Culloty.

Make a note too of the well-regarded Strong Stuff (3.20) who is sure to be all the better for his recent comeback outing at Plumpton.

Rain threatenstwo meetings

Lingfield's National Hunt meeting tomorrow is under threat because of heavy rain.

Head groundsman Andy Waitt said: "It depends on the amount of rain we get by tomorrow. More is forecast. At the moment there is no inspection planned."

Following heavy rain at Market Rasen, clerk of the course Charlie Moore ha sounded a note of caution for Thursday's meeting.

He said: "The ground is very wet - heavy in the straight, soft in the back straight.

"I hope that any of the rain forecast is insignificant and we get drying winds. We can't take a lot more rain."

Tomorrow's Tips

MUSSELBURGH12.40.................................Najjar 1.10..........................Oversman 1.40........................Fen Terrier 2.10.......................Marble Man 2.40.......................Jessica One 3.10.......Weaver George (Nap) 3.40..........................WothertonLINGFIELD12.50..................River Frontier 1.20........................Park Royal 1.50....................True Fortune 2.20.......................Royal Toast 2.50...................Gladiateur IV 3.20.....................Strong Stuff 3.50..................Tickerty's Gift

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.