When a Southern-based jockey of the calibre of Mick Fitzgerald travels to Scotland for one booked ride, it's time to sit up and take the hint.

And, if the meeting passes an early morning inspection, the Irishman can make the long trip to Musselburgh worthwhile by scoring on Knight Templar in the Sair Head Handicap Chase.

The former Paul Nicholls trained eight-year-old seems a much better horse when fresh so, as he hasn't run since July this looks the best time to catch him.

Martin Todhunter's gelding is on a fair mark at present as he's only a couple of pounds higher in the weights than when last successful at Doncaster in March and this good to soft ground will be ideal.

His ability to race up with the pace will stand him in good stead around this sharp course and, as he has sometimes jumped out to his right, Musselburgh's right handed track should also suit.

Kevin Morgan has a good record here and the Lincolnshire handler can be on the mark with Jazil in the Whiskey Mac Novices Chase over two and a half miles and with Marigliano in the Hogmanay Chase over two miles.

Jazil, who shaped well on his fencing debut when fourth to subsequent winner Killusty at Market Rasen, was going easily in the lead when capsizing five out over this course and distance last time and is preferred to Lord Lamb.

Marigliano also likes to race up with the pace and, although he has yet to produce over fences the level he showed over hurdles, he is only lightly raced over the larger obstacles and so is open to improvement.

He too has gone well fresh before and he is taken to beat Minster Glory and Barnburgh Boy, from the Easterby stables of Mick and Tim respectively.

Mick Easterby can get off the mark earlier in the afternoon with bumper winner Dix Bay in the Hot Toddy National Hunt Maiden Hurdle over two miles.

The six-year-old shaped well on his hurdling debut at Wetherby recently and, although he would ideally prefer further, he could well get away with it in this company.

Milder weather means that there should be no repeat of the problems that Lingfield faced on Saturday and Absolute Fantasy can be on the mark for Eric Wheeler in the Bet Direct Today's Best Bets Amateur Riders Handicap over six furlongs.

Over the same course and distance two outings ago, the five-year-old was most impressive when beating Rafters Music and the mare, wahts.

Wheeler can also be on the mark with Charnwood Princess, who wears blinkers for the first time, in the Arena Leisure Handicap over five furlongs.

The Girls' Filly, who has gone well fresh before, has a good draw and can beat likely favourite Paperweight in the Bet Direct On 0800 211 222 Classified Stakes over a mile and a quarter.

Effective from seven furlongs to a mile and a half at this track, she has the plum one draw and Steve Carson is very good value for his three pound allowance. With the exception of the favourite, the majority of the other runners are mainly out of sorts or face a stiff task at these weights and she's well worth a wager at double-figure odds.

l The threat of an overnight frost has prompted Musselburgh to hold a precautionary 8.30 morning inspection for today's meeting.

A small part of the Edinburgh track is still frozen and a cold night was forecast.

l Officials at Lingfield will inspect the all-weather surface at 7.30am today to see if racing can go-ahead at the Surrey track.

Heavy rain has prompted the decision but clerk of the course Fergus Cameron is hopeful there will be no problems.

The track came under fire on Saturday when their meeting was abandoned 20 minutes after the first race was due to start due to frozen and unsafe ground.

l Demand for tickets for Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup day (March 15) is so high that two enclosures are already sold out, it was announced yesterday.

No tickets are available for the Club or Tattersalls enclosures while less than 1,000 tickets remain for the Courage Best enclosure.

Tickets for all three enclosures remain on sale for the other two days of the Festival (March 13-14).

Cheltenham's managing director Edward Gillespie said yesterday: ''Ticket sales for all three days are well ahead of the same period last year and we would encourage anyone planning to attend on Tuesday and Wednesday to book shortly.'