FREE-WHEELING Mixsterthetrixster (1.20) has the speed to burn off his rivals from the front in the opening two-mile Handicap Hurdle at Kempton today.

One of the original white-knuckle rides, Mixsterthetrixster always takes such a fierce hold of the bit that attempts to restrain the habitual pace-setting seven-year-old have proved counter-productive .

But provided he's allowed to bowl along at the head of affairs the big leggy gelding is a very useful customer indeed, a point hammered home at Doncaster last month, when he pulverised a good field in scintillating fashion.

The ground was fairly testing that day, but as a three and four-year-old when in the care of Tim Easterby, the selection was equally effective on fast ground, so by all accounts he won't mind the prevailing good to firm surface at the south London venue.

Nicky Henderson's near 40 per cent strike-rate at the course means he hardly ever comes away empty-handed, a situation likely to remain unchanged following the participation of Ceanannas Mor (3.55) in the Corinthian Amateur Riders' Handicap.

Although he's a previous track and trip scorer, Ceanannas Mor flunked his lines when on parade at the course 25 days ago. He seemed to have the race at his mercy when swinging along with not a care in the world at the fourth last fence.

Sadly, when asked to open the throttle, the petrol gauge plunged to zero in a matter of strides.

Something was surely amiss and Henderson's normally consistent raider is definitely worth another chance in the £10,000 contest.

David Loder and Kieren Fallon team up at Wolverhampton, where the pair look certain to enjoy success with Musical Gift (1.55) in the Littlewoods Maiden Stakes.

Musical Gift failed to justify favouritism on his sand debut this month, but he'll strip far fitter for the outing and is likely to outclass his opponents in the extended nine-furlong event.

After a lengthy winter holiday, I fancy top jockey Darryll Holland to return to the fray with a winner aboard Del Mar Sunset (2.30) in the feature race on the card, the £12,500 betdirect.co.uk Handicap

Having already won three times at the course, some would say Del Mar Sunset was unlucky not to make it four when nailed right on the stick by Kepler at the track back in November.

Such narrow defeats are always a bitter pill to swallow, but the four-year-old is relatively lightly raced and in reality has far more scope for improvement than most of his thoroughly exposed rivals.

Warwick's course officials didn't cover themselves in glory on Wednesday when predicting that yesterday's scheduled fixture would probably beat the frost.

No such proclamations have been made this time, and if the meeting does get the go ahead after a 7.30am inspection, Keltic Heritage (2.05) promises to stay every yard of the three-mile-and-five-furlong Michael Page Legal Handicap Chase.

Keltic Heritage is a really sound jumper with the prefect credentials to make up into a Grand National contender over the next couple of years.

* National Hunt racing is set to resume at Kempton today following three blank days because of frost.

''Everything is fine. We are not forecast a frost overnight,'' said clerk of the course Brian Clifford yesterday ahead of the two-day fixture at the Sunbury track, which features the £100,000 Racing Post Chase on Saturday.

''Temperatures today got up to eight-and-a-half degrees. I think it will probably ride good ground now all the frost is out but I'll leave it as good, good to firm in places.''

Racing was lost at Huntingdon and Warwick yesterday and officials at Warwick will hold a further inspection at 7.30am to determine if today's meeting can go ahead.

Clerk of the course Robert Bellamy said: ''After our 3pm inspection conditions have improved and if the forecast is correct we should reach plus one degree and upwards tonight."

Huntingdon are hopeful of racing tomorrow, when the meeting at Musselburgh could hinge on an inspection at 4pm today.

''Prospects are at best 50-50. We are still frozen to a depth of three inches in places,'' said clerk of the course Bill Farnsworth.

Ayr, one of three additional fixtures on Sunday, is already subject to a precautionary inspection at 2.30pm today.

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