White is the colour today. Not only for the frost which has wiped out the meeting at Newcastle and threatens to do the same to Huntingdon.

But also for White Plains, who looks the day's best bet at Lingfield where the all-weather track should beat the cold snap to ensure some action takes place in Britain.

White Plains is a familiar sight on the Surrey course's Equitrack surface, where he has gained five of his last six victories.

He is not as effective on the fibresand used at Britain's two other all-weather tracks, so his running-on second at Southwell last week was a particularly encouraging effort.

It hinted strongly at a return to his best by the eight-year-old, who has been going through a quiet spell of late and is without a win since January of last year.

The gelding has fallen in the handicap as a result of his barren period and runs off second bottom-weight in today's Tote Trifecta 1-2-3 Stakes.

White Plains looks set to take full advantage, now that his enthusiasm has been rekindled by David Barron.

Wishbone Alley, trained in Darlington by Michael Dods, may be worth a chance in the Comet Handicap.

He also signalled a return to something like his best when second in a claimer here last time out and is potentially well treated at the weights.

And Karl Burke, who has recently moved to Middleham, can contribute to a good day for the north by collecting the Bilston Selling Stakes with Pat The Builder.

His colt won a similar event on this course in October and has generally been running creditably since.

Josh Gifford will be hoping Huntingdon comes through a 7.30 a.m. inspection as his Brave Highlander looks to have every chance of landing a first win in almost exactly three years.

His 13-year-old, fourth in the Grand National last season, ran a fine race to finish fourth in a three-mile chase at the Kempton Christmas meeting, tiring on the run-in as lack of peak fitness told.

Jonjo O'Neill will rely on last year's County Hurdle winner Master Tern in the Tote Bookmakers Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday. The in-form Penrith-based trainer also has Clifton Fox entered in the two-mile handicap but has decided to rely on Master Tern.

Jumps jockey Chris Maude will be out of action for about a month after breaking his collarbone at Plumpton on Monday. The 30-year-old had a day to forget at the Sussex track, falling from both his mounts and suffering the injury when coming down on Ricko in division two of the Burgess Hill Novices' Hurdle. And yesterday Maude underwent an operation to pin the bone into place in order to speed up the healing process.