Prospects of racing at Wetherby tomorrow hinge on an inspection of the course - still frozen in places yesterday - this afternoon.

Mick Easterby will be hoping more than most that the green light is given.

The Sheriff Hutton trainer saddles Meadowbank in the featured race, the £15,000 Tote Exacta Showcase Handicap Chase, and this previous course winner has every chance of coming out on top.

A good winner here from Skillwise on his second outing this season, Meadowbank, considered by Easterby to be a Grand National horse in the making, has since been given a taste of the unique Aintree fences.

Alas, Lord Manton's gelding, despite looking tailor-made for such a test, was an early casualty in the Becher Chase.

None the worse for that tumble, Meadowbank is back doing what he knows best tomorrow, running over an extended three miles and jumping 'park' fences.

The expected good ground at Wetherby will suit him ideally. Off bottom weight, he is expected to produce a bold show and is awarded my Nap vote.

Easterby can also win the Harry Wharton Novices' Chase - a race coincidentally landed a year ago by Meadowbank - with the progressive Super Nomad.

Yje seven-year-old, already a winner over fences this season, finished a good fourth to October Mist on this course on his latest outing. Tomorrow's longer distance will suit him even better.

Settrington trainer John Quinn has only four jumpers under his care this winter, but three of them, including First Light, have already won.

First Light bids to double his score tomorrow in the Telia Handicap Hurdle and Graham Lee's mount has good prospects.

The 10-year-old, having twice finished runner-up, made it third-time-lucky here at the Christmas meeting when beating Dan De Man by a convincing six lengths.

No weather problems are anticipated at Wincanton, where Joyeux Royal has strong claims in the Jamboree Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle.

This progressive French recruit created a good impression over this course and distance on Boxing Day when beating Cameron Bridge by five lengths.

In division one of the Blackmore Vale 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle, Lucky Bay makes plenty of appeal. The six-year-old, trained by Henrietta Knight, won on this course at the end of November. A bright talent, he should not be underestimated under his penalty.

Tomorrow's tips:

Wetherby

1.10 Java Sea

1.40 Super Nomad

2.10 First Light

2.40 Meadowbank (Nap)

3.10 Mr Frangipani

3.45 Man Murphy

Wincanton

1.00 Lucky Bay

1.30 Majlis

2.00 Juralan

2.30 Scurry Dancer

3.00 Moving Earth

3.35 Homme De Fer

4.05 Joyeux Royal

*If Wetherby is abandoned, the Nap selection will be transferred to Joyeux Royal (4.05 Wincanton).

Updated: 14:49 Wednesday, January 09, 2002