Parknasilla, who got off to a winning start over hurdles at Leicester last month, can prove that success was no fluke by scoring at Catterick tomorrow.

Sheriff Hutton trainer Mick Easterby's highly-regarded gelding goes for sivision one of the Hartlepool Juvenile Novices' Hurdle and is fancied to confirm his place in next month's Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival by scoring again.

Parknasilla was sent off at 20-1 on his hurdling bow, but was far from unfancied, all the same, and he duly gained a head success over the odds-on favourite Fool On The Hill, with the remainder of the field well beaten off.

Further improvement is likely from the four-year-old, who is taken to make a bold bid to follow-up tomorrow under Richard McGrath.

Trainer Venetia Williams sends a batch of horses to Catterick and should figure on the scoreboard.

Williams saddles Meggies Gamble in the European Breeders' Fund 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle and last month's Wetherby winner will surely take all the beating.

Such was the convincing nature of his latest success that a penalty is unlikely to anchor Meggies Gamble from obliging again, and he is awarded my Nap vote.

Noisetine can be another winner for Williams, and her smart conditional jockey Sam Thomas, in the Yorkshire Racing Season Ticket Stayers' Novices' Chase.

The six-year-old has been chosen to run in this race in preference to stablemate Old Marsh, which looks a tip in itself. Noisetine has finished runner-up in two of her three races this season and is overdue a winning turn.

Imaginaire could be yet another winner for Williams and Thomas in the Marne Handicap Chase.

A creditable runner-up to the revitalised Simply Gifted at Chepstow last time, Imaginaire is expected to benefit from this slightly longer distance and register his first win this season on just his third attempt.

On the Flat at Wolverhampton, a note should be made of Hatch, who is dropped in class on his all-weather debut.

The Roger Charlton-trained gelding showed definite signs of ability in maiden company on the turf last season and looks a very interesting candidate as he returns to action in the Bet Direct Interactive Claiming Stakes. Fergus Sweeney has the mount.

Squirtle Turtle will be a popular choice in the Bet Direct Amateur Riders' Handicap over a mile and a half, which kicks-off the eight-race card.

The four-year-old proved weak in the betting market at Southwell last time, but that did not stop him winning a similar event in pleasing fashion. Oliver Cole, the trainer's son, has the mount again.

The promising Pacific Ocean (3.30) is another worthy of respect, along with Rare Coincidence (5.00), a winner at Southwell last time.

Friday's tips:

Catterick

1.40 Parknasilla, 2.10 Al Mabrook, 2.40 Meggies Gamble (Nap), 3.10 Noisetine, 3.40 Star Councel, 4.10 Imaginaire, 4.40 Kentucky Blue.

Wolverhampton

1.30 Squirtle Turtle, 2.00 Italian Mist, 2.30 Lord Chamberlain, 3.00 Hatch, 3.30 Pacific Ocean, 4.00 Warlingham, 4.30 Claptrap, 5.00 Rare Coincidence.

Tomorrow's other scheduled race meeting is at Hereford

Updated: 11:46 Thursday, February 05, 2004