Prince Of Saints is some way ahead of the handicapper and is confidently expected to land the Happy Christmas Handicap Chase at Catterick today. Micky Hammond's six-year-old did not set the world alight over hurdles but opened his chasing account over today's course and distance in good style last month, easily beating Last Try by five lengths.

That confirmed the promise that Hammond's charge appeared to show at Ayr when giving the useful Edelweis du Moulin a race before falling four from home.

Prince of Saints has been raised 7lb but is still on a lowly mark - 86 - and there should be plenty of improvement to come. The opposition is hardly daunting. Hammond has a high opinion of the gelding, who he bought from Tom Costello.

Heavenly Citizen will make a bold bid to repeat last season's success in the Catterick Race Club 1998 `Join Up Now' Handicap Chase.

James Gledson's stable star took this first time out in 1996, making all to beat KenmoreSpeed by eight lengths, so the fact that he comes here without a run is more of an encouragement than a worry.

The likes of Linden's Lotto and River Unshion should ensure a fair price about Heavenly Citizen, who very much reserves his best for Catterick.

Fen Terrier is another who bids to follow up a win here last term in the Ampleforth Handicap Hurdle.

She scored in this race with ease last season and showed herself to be in good heart when winning at Ayr last month, beating Apollo's Daughter two lengths. Fen Terrier was given a positive ride that day and with the same expected here, will take some catching.

What A Fiddler has yet to win but chased home Stonesby here at the beginning of the month. He now has an ideal opportunity to open his account in the Abraham Transport Novices' Hurdle.

At Towcester, Lambson is worth keeping an eye on in the Northants 96 Turkey Selling Handicap Hurdle.