Paris Bell, who has struck form with a vengeance since the rain came, can complete a notable hat-trick for trainer Tim Easterby at Catterick tomorrow.

The two-year-old goes for the £10,000 Thomas Darley Nursery over six furlongs and will have David Allan in the saddle as he bids to extend his winning sequence.

Having struggled to get his head in front for most of the season, Paris Bell came good in testing ground at Ayr last month and followed-up at Newbury in similar conditions.

Soft ground, heavy in places, is forecast for Catterick tomorrow, which may make things tough for most horses. Paris Bell, though, a confirmed mudlark, will be in his element.

Archie Babe is another for whom the ground will hold no fears in the Oliver Cromwell Handicap.

The eight-year-old has proved a wonderful servant to John Quinn's Settrington yard and is still perfectly capable of winning a race of this calibre.

Tomorrow's conditions will certainly favour Archie Babe, who comes here after a respectable recent effort.

The £10,000 toteplacepot Handicap over seven furlongs looks a tricky race to solve, but Sea Storm should go well for Robert Winston, who is on the verge of achieving his maiden century.

Loughlorien has a bit to find at the weights with some of his rivals in the Boroughbridge Claiming Stakes, but local knowledge of this five-furlongs track may count on his favour.

Ronnie Barr's sprinter is a previous course and distance winner and his latest second-placed effort here suggests he is in good heart. He is awarded my Nap vote.

Jumping fans will have eyes only for Exeter tomorrow where Paul Nicholls' Azertyuoip makes his eagerly-awaited reappearance and will be opposed by Edredon Bleu, trained by Henrietta Knight.

The race is the £65,000 William Hill Haldon Gold Cup and is a not-to-be-missed event.

Both horses enjoyed great campaigns last season, Azertyuiop proving himself at the highest level over two miles and Edredon Bleu being unbeatable at up to three miles, which included this corresponding race and the King George V1 Chase at Kempton.

Azertiyuiop has to concede 5lb to his arch-rival tomorrow, but the young pretender will, I feel, have the power to beat the remarkable 12-year-old Edredon Bleu. Ruby Walsh and Jim Culloty are the two jockeys in the duel.

Also worth noting at Exeter are two other Nicholls-trained inmates; the exciting Sporazene (3.20) and the useful Ask Henry (3.50), who is returning after a lengthy absence.

Tuesday's tips:

Catterick

1.00 Plenty Crief Wolf, 1.30 Bold Haze, 2.00 Paris Bell, 2.30 Maid To Treasure, 3.00 Sea Storm, 3.30 Loughlorien (Nap), 4.00 Archie Babe.

Exeter

1.50 Loup Charter, 2.20 Chilling Place, 2.50 Azertyuiop, 3.20 Sporazene, 3.50 Ask Henry, 4.20 Monti Flyer.

Tomorrow's other meeting is at Folkestone.

Tom O'Ryan's Nap for this afternoon's racing was: Algorithm (1.30 at Redcar).

Updated: 12:53 Monday, November 01, 2004