Wayward Buttons, who was scratched from a race at Carlisle on Tuesday because of the testing conditions, is re-routed to Musselburgh tomorrow and is my Nap choice.

On a programme exclusively sponsored by Irish bookmaker Sean Graham, Wayward Buttons lines-up for the handicap chase over two and a half miles with the in-form Richard McGrath in the saddle.

A former point-to-pointer now trained by Martin Todhunter, Wayward Buttons won at Sedgefield two outings ago when beating the odds-on What A Wonder.

His most recent race was over three miles at Musselburgh, where he finished fourth after making a major blunder at the second-last fence when poised to challenge the eventual winner.

The suggestion was, however, that Wayward Buttons was just beginning to come to the end of his tether when he made that mistake. Consequently, tomorrow's half-mile shorter distance should be perfect for him.

I anticipate Wayward Buttons making a bold bid on the forecast good ground.

Beseiged, held in high regard by trainer Richard Fahey, gets my vote in the National Hunt Flat Race.

A respectable fifth to Byron Lamb on his debut at Ayr, the five-year-old has since finished second at Catterick.

I think that Hayaain will complete a hat-trick of wins by landing the three-miles handicap hurdle.

Formerly trained by Pat Murphy, this nine-year-old has found a rich vein of form since moving to Jim Barclay in Fife and has won his last two races, both on this course.

Accomplished claiming jockey Tom Siddall reduces his weight by 5lb tomorrow and I expect the partnership to triumph.

Brian Ellison has high hopes that Batswing, a useful handicap hurdler, can make the grade over fences and all eyes will be on the seven-year-old tomorrow in the two-miles novices' chase.

The versatile Batswing, a good winner on the Flat before going hurdling, has plenty going for him on his chasing debut.

Norton-based Ellison promises to enjoy a lucrative afternoon. He also has good prospects with Willow Run (1.50) and recent course winner Bergamo (2.50).

Ellison will also be strongly represented at Uttoxeter, where Sam Quayle has a fighting chance in the Racecourse Video Services Handicap Chase - that is provided he does not revert to the same sort of sloppy jumping which has prevented him from completing the course in two of his three races this season.

Tomorrow's tips:

Musselburgh

12.20 - Grafton Truce

12.50 - Hayaain

1.20 - Silver Socks

1.50 - Willow Run

2.20 - Batswing

2.50 - Bergamo

3.20 - Wayward Buttons (Nap)

3.50 - Beseiged

Uttoxeter

1.00 - Dunraven

1.30 - Needwood Brave

2.00 - Wings Of Hope

2.30 - Sam Quale

3.00 - B The One

3.30 - Wain Mountain

4.00 - Deadly Doris

Updated: 12:13 Thursday, January 17, 2002