If his home reputation counts for anything, Premier Dane should be difficult to beat at Musselburgh tomorrow.

The Irish recruit, trained in Cumbria by Nicky Richards, is napped to make a winning debut over jumps in the Tom McConnell Novices' Hurdle.

Previously trained on the Flat by Kevin Prendergast on The Curragh, Premier Dane was bought by Richards in late summer. Presumably the hope is that he will prove to be as good as Faasel, who was also recruited by Richards from Prendergast's yard and who was one of last season's leading juvenile hurdlers.

Premier Dane has apparently been impressive at his home and there are strong hopes that he will make his mark in his new role.

Tony Dobbin, rider of Premier Dane, also teams up with Word Gets Around in the Country Refreshments Novices' Handicap Chase.

Len Lungo's gelding has top weight to carry, but he showed enough behind Lanaken here on his latest start to suggest that he can go one better in a moderate contest.

Bohemian Spirit, a stablemate of Premier Dane, turns out for the Country Refreshments Kilmany Cup Handicap Chase following his wide-margin win over this course and distance before Christmas.

The handicapper has raised the gelding 15lb for that facile success, but he may still be able to oblige. Rose Davidson again takes the ride on the horse owned by her father, Duncan, who has several horses in training with Richards.

At Wolverhampton, Sessay trainer David Nicholls can clinch the £18,000 Betdirect 'Text' Handicap over six furlongs, with Trinculo.

An able performer on turf and all-weather surfaces, Trinculo ran well enough when third on his comeback outing less than a week ago to indicate that he will take a leading role here.

It would be fitting if Nicholls's secretary Kelly Harrison can win the first division of the Support Retraining of Racehorses Amateur Riders' Handicap on Activist.

This will be the 21-year-old Harrison's final ride as an amateur before she joins the professional ranks next week, when she will officially be apprenticed to Nicholls.

She has 13 winners under her belt and Activist bids to provide the Middleham-born rider with one more success before she changes codes.

Friday's tips:

Musselburgh

(precautionary inspection at 6.45am, threat of frost)

12.40 Premier Dane (Nap), 1.10 El Andaluz, 1.40 We'll Meet Again, 2.10 Word Gets Around, 2.40 I Got Rhythm, 3.10 Bohemian Spirit, 3.40 James Bay.

Wolverhampton

1.00 Activist, 1.30 Countrywide Belle, 2.00 Trinculo, 2.30 Tycheros, 3.00 Seattle Robber, 3.30 Appalachian Trail, 4.00 Wessex, 4.30 Newnham.

Tomorrow's other meeting is at Towcester (8am inspection, threat of frost and snow).

Updated: 12:04 Thursday, January 05, 2006