MUSSELBURGH has been a happy hunting ground for Howard Johnson over the past few years, a tradition to be maintained by Knight Valliant (2.20).

Knight Valliant initially raised hopes of landing another major pot of gold in today's totesport.com Introductory Hurdle by scoring over course and distance this month.

A modest, some would even say slow horse on the level, Denis O'Regan's partner proved a revelation when switched to timber on that occasion.

Pedigree pundits might have said "told you so" following Knight Valliant's victory, as he is a brother to Johnson's 2005 Cheltenham Festival hero, Arcalis.

The same combination of trainer and jockey seem sure to be involved in the finish of the two-mile Handicap Chase via Some Touch (2.55) Two of Some Touch's four career triumphs have come at the course.

An amazingly versatile gelding who is just as happy on fast ground as galloping through mud, O'Regan's mount has what it takes to carry his big weight.

An each-way bet on Folk Tune (3.25) is the recommendation against the white-hot favourite, Palomarr, who defied a 13lbs hike in the weights to collect at Kempton 48 hours ago and is likely to be sent off at around 1-2, not the sort of odds likely to benefit the average punter.

A son of the leading Flat sire, Danehill, Folk Tune's bloodlines read more like a 2,000 Guineas or Derby contender, rather than an up-and-coming hurdler.

Such instances are not particularly rare these days and the pace injected into his veins is a bonus.

Murphy doesn't muck about aiming his horses at small beer, so his decision to target Folk Tune at the £20,000 Handicap Hurdle fits the stable logic.

As far as measuring up to what is a stern examination, Folk Tune's prep when second to Roman Villa over course and distance looks just the ticket.

Roman Villa went on to finish a close second to Jack The Giant at Cheltenham, stuff right out of the top drawer as the latter then netted Ascot's prestigious Ladbroke Hurdle.

The highly-successful father and son team of Colin and Joe Tizzard head for Newbury with a gilt-edged opportunity to claim the Mandarin Handicap Chase.

Colin does the training while Joe does the dangerous bit aboard the likes of Nougat de L'Isle, who can be forgiven his latest Exeter defeat over a totally inadequate distance.

A confirmed stayer, it was asking too much of Nougat de L'Isle to get the job done over a trip which simply didn't suit his style that relies on stamina rather than speed.

Potential Cheltenham Festival clues aplenty are to be gleaned in the Challow Novices' Hurdle, a contest in which a ton of young timber stars turn out.

Razor Royale, Zilcash, Souffleur and Elusive Dream will have their own fan clubs, but my money is on the less exposed Swordsman (2.40).

Christian Von Der Recke's progressive five-year-old slammed Gauvain at Huntingdon, prior to the latter coming out and winning a handicap by 11 lengths.

Tot up the fractions of that little lot and Swordsman looks genuine championship material, especially as there could be any amount of improvement to come.

The age old question of whether mares should qualify for a 5lbs allowance might once again rear its ugly head should Theatre Girl (2.05) bag the Thurloe Hurdle.

While the anomaly exists the likes of Alan King will continue to take advantage of what some argue is an unfair advantage.

Theatre Girl certainly took some useful scalps on her Wincanton comeback run, an eyecatching performance of great merit seeing as she was returning from a 30-week absence.

■ Inglis Drever is an intended runner in the Byrne Bros Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on January 26 in the hope of putting him spot on to win his third Ladbrokes World Hurdle title in March.

Howard Johnson's eight-yearold looked better than ever when winning the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury for the third time last month.

Inglis Drever is training well and he will run at Cheltenham next month in the Cleeve Hurdle, ground permitting,'' said trainer Howard Johnson.

After that he'll go for the big one and I hope he makes it three out of three.

I was delighted with him at Newbury and he's still in good form. He jumped better at Newbury than I have ever seen him jump, he was like a little cat.'' Johnson was also full of praise for his recent Wetherby winner Striking Article, who scored at the first time of asking over hurdles after obliging in two bumpers.