HAT-TRICK seeking Tee-Jay (1.20) is going to take some stopping in Catterick's Christmas Time Handicap Hurdle this afternoon.

Micky Hammond's gelding has bounced right back to his best with successive wins at Hexham and Southwell so far this term. Arguably the gelding's most recent triumph at the last-named track was all the more creditable since it was over two-and-a-half-miles, a trip which is theoretically a good four furlongs short of his optimum.

Ideally Tee-Jay needs in excess of three miles, a factor strongly suggesting this afternoon's much sterner test of stamina should suit his bid to complete a richly-deserved three-timer.

Half an hour later, the in-form team of Graham Lee and Howard Johnson can continue their recent good run courtesy of Farlington (1.20).

Like so many decent staying chasers, Johnson's charge started life between the flags, scoring in point-to-point company much in the spring.

But competing against professionally trained horses makes for a far stiffer task, not that you would have known with Farlington, who so nearly made a successful debut under rules when beaten a neck at Sedgefield in mid-November.

Although Farlington (1.50) would have preferred a marginally longer distance than the two-miles-and-three-furlongs in the St Pauls Maiden Chase, he might just get away with it against a bunch of mainly sub-standard opponents.

Lee and Johnston also have terrific double prospects with Grattan Lodge (2.50) in the goracing.co.uk Handicap Chase.

Grattan Lodge, who reeled of a fancy four-timer over hurdles last winter, actually qualifies to run in novices' chases. However, Howard has opted to side-step that more conventional route and go straight handicapping.

Such decisions with inexperienced horses represent quite a risk, nevertheless I feel it's pretty safe to assume Grattan Lodge has been intensively schooled over fences, setting up the distinct chance of a winning comeback for the lightly-raced six-year-old.

Be on your guard for any significant market moves in favour of George Moore's Beamish Prince (2.20), who is set to make his jumps' debut in the Northgate Bedding Centre Novices' Hurdle.

Beamish Prince, formerly trained by Moore's next door neighbour at Middleham, Mark Johnston, was no mug when campaigned on the level. The selection is quite a robust individual, just the type to excel over hurdles, especially under the watchful eye of Moore, a past master at converting ex-Flat horses into budding hurdling stars.

As far as prize-money goes, the big bucks are on offer at Exeter, where Six Of One (2.00) bids to scoop the £20,000 Henrietta Knight Birthday Handicap Hurdle.

Connections landed a canny little each-way gamble when Six Of One was backed from 20s to half that price on his seasonal reappearance at Sandown. Despite the fact Rowe's raider only managed third spot on that occasion, he'll surely benefit from the outing, adding an extra edge of fitness for his enterprising sortie from Sussex to the west-country.

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