Sillars Stalker who bounced back to winning form with an easy success at Sedgefield on Boxing Day, can follow-up at Catterick tomorrow.

Trained at Richmond by Sally Williamson the 11 year old bids for the Ilkley Handicap Chase and is fancied to take all the beating.

Formerly a useful horse with Lynda Ramsden, who whom he won the Flat and over hurdles, Sillars Stalker has had more than his fair share of problems since, but clearly retains plenty of ability.

His latest success, after a narrow defeat at Market Rasen, was achieved in impressive fashion. Coolly handled by Graham Lee, Sillars Stalker was never off a tight rein to beat Mister Muddypaws by a very cosy two and a half lengths.

The handicapper has responded by raising Sillar Stalker 6lb for that win, but this in-form gelding still figures on a reasonable mark. Despite having more to do tomorrow than at Sedgefield, he earns the nap vote.

Crabbie's Pride, who seems to reserve his best displays for Catterick, can lift the Leeds Handicap Hurdle over two miles and three furlongs.

Successful here last season, Sue Smith's charge was also victorious over tomorrow's course and distance last month when beating subsequent winner Flat Top by five lengths. He can oblige again.

Balleswhidden is capable of defying top weight in the W L and Hector Christie Memorial Trophy Novices' Handicap Chase.

Having got off the mark on his seasonal reappearance at Wetherby, Balleswhidden fell next time at Ayr and seemed to be remembering that fall in his next race at Aintree.

However, he ran with distinction on his latest outing on this course when beaten only a length by La Riviera after looking to have that winner cooked between the final two fences. Balleswhidden has three furlongs less to travel tomorrow and looks sure to make a bold bid for Richard Fahey's Butterwick stable.

Scotton Green has obvious claims in the Wakefield Novices' Chase over an extended three miles.

A test of stamina is clearly what Tim Easterby's gelding has been crying out for, as he showed in a three-miler at Haydock last time when beating Santa Jet by one and a quarter lengths.

The Bradford Selling Handicap Hurdle will not take a great deal of winning and Brian Ellison could hold the answer with Monis, a previous course and distance winner. The eight-year-old ran out on his latest start at Sedgefield, so does not look one on which to risk the housekeeping.

Conditions are expected to be very testing at Market Rasen, where the two steeplechases on the programme have been scrapped because of false patches on the chase course.

The very soft ground will certainly not inconvenience proven mud-lover Warrlin who is fancied to run a big race in the Tote Showcase handicap Hurdle after his recent win at Sedgefield.

Also worth noting is prolific winner Springfield Scally in the Boston Novices' Hurdle.

Tomorrow's Tips:

CATTERICK

12.30 Nicodemus

1.00 Scotton Green

1.30 Monis

2.00 Balleswhidden

2.35 Crabbie's Pride

3.05 Sillars Stalker (NAP)

3.35 Johnny Joe

MARKET RASEN

1.10 Tap On Tootsie

1.40 Devonshire

2.10 Warrlin

2.45 Springfield Scally

3.15 Coppeen Jewel

3.45 Ghost Moon

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.