Mister Tricky can inch closer to an escape from the freezing winter weather with victory at Lingfield today. A trip to warmer climes could be on the cards for the four-year-old, whom Philip Mitchell reckons is just the type to excel on dirt tracks in the USA.

The trainer knows just what it takes, having made hay with Running Stag in America in the past two seasons. And Mister Tricky looks excellent raw ammunition material for further trans-Atlantic trips. The gelding has progressed into a useful sprinter during a highly successful 1999 and there is almost certainly further improvement to come.

Mister Tricky scored with plenty in hand when coming from off the pace to land his sixth win of the year on this course last month and should be more than good enough to defy a 4lb rise in the weights in the Festive Feeling Handicap. Nor should a step back from seven furlongs to six be a problem, given his excellent cruising speed.

Stable-companion Half Tide could initiate a double in division one of the Easal Handicap. Though unraced for 10 months, he runs well fresh and looks potentially well in at the weights.

In-form Jonjo O'Neill could prove the trainer to follow at the days' two jumps meetings, weather permitting.

He has good prospects of a double at Newcastle with Go Boldly in the Gosforth Park Novices' Hurdle and Globe Runner in the Christmas Hurdle.

And his Radiation may prove the answer to the Moore Scott Handicap Chase at Ludlow. The six-year-old has raced a shade lazily in the past and will benefit considerably from the booking of champion jockey Tony McCoy.

Paul Nicholls can collect the P & T Jones Handicap Chase with William O'Dee. His 10-year-old held a clear lead when falling three fences from home at Cheltenham last time out and will be hard to beat with a clear round.