TIM EASTERBY takes Go Tech (2.20) to Lingfield with every prospect of making the long haul down south pay dividends.

Tim's experiment of trying his five-year-old over 12 furlongs didn't really work when Go Tech could only finish fourth at the course ten days ago. It's only natural to step horses up in trip as they get older and at least we now know today's mile-and-a-quarter is probably as far as the selection wants to go.

There'll be a pinch of irony for Easterby if Bollin Billy (2.50) wins the following sprint since he used to train the gelding prior to the three-year-old joining Roy Brotherton's stable.

Brotherton succeeded where Tim failed, quickly finding the key to Bollin Billy, who opened his account with considerable ease over track and trip in October.

Just like an out-of-form striker, these matters are often simply a case of needing a confidence boost, so now that Bollin Billy has stuck the ball in the back of the net, more success awaits.

Generally speaking Derek Shaw must make ends meet with some shoddy stock, but that's not to say he's a bad egg and given tackle like Southwell-bound Cool Sands (1.00) Shaw is perfectly capable of getting the job done.

Experience of the fibre-sand is absolutely crucial and Cool Sands has proved eminently capable of handling the man-made surface, notably when edging out Brave Chief in a head-bobbing finish.

Results from yesterday's meeting at the course suggested the fastest strip of ground might be round the wide outside, a factor which could play into the hooves of Pawan (1.30) in stall 13.

Based at Brompton-on-Swale, near Richmond, Pawan is both ridden and trained by Ann Stokell, who was on board when the gelding filled second spot in a very competitive event at Musselburgh this month.

Freezing conditions might mean curtains for Hereford's jumps meeting, but if the fixture passes a 7.30am inspection, Weet Watchers (1.10) is worth a look in the Gillian Gordon Selling Hurdle.

Trevor Wall wastes no time going back to the well with Weet Watchers, a creditable fourth on a visit to Leicester on Sunday. Judging by that improved performance, there should be plenty more to come from the lightly raced five-year-old in the two-mile-and-one-furlong affair.

Although there'll never be another Best Mate, owner Jim Lewis has plenty of other decent horses, including Tuesday's Child, who sports the famous claret and blue colours mimicking Jim's favourite football team, Aston Villa.

Tuesday's Child (2.10) was mightily impressive at Ludlow recently, landing a substantial gamble under a typical cool-as-you-like waiting ride from the incomparable Timmy Murphy.

By virtue of a skilful piece of placing the progressive Lambourn raider has started his winning run at the bottom of the weights, and it could be a few weeks yet before the handicapper gets a handle on Tuesday's Child.

l Emma Lavelle is hoping a drop back in distance can help Cloudy Grey pick up the winning thread in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday.

The talented but fragile eight-year-old was pulled up on his seasonal bow over 2 miles at Aintree this month, having made most of the running until the turn for home.

''He seems to have come out of the race fine. I don't know if he didn't stay, but we will probably find out a little bit more about him on Saturday,'' said Lavelle.

''I know he is bred to want a trip but he has never won over anything further than two miles."