PUNTERS picking up on the good vibes concerning Tom Fruit (2.20) could well be in business at Catterick this afternoon.

Tim Easterby's gelding was the subject a significant gamble when last seen out at Leicester, cash which wasn't entirely misplaced seeing as Tom Fruit produced a flying finish, failing by only half a length to catch Flash Cummins.

The dramatic shortening of the selection's odds indicates that the big bay has been working well at home, a sure sign he has the potential to play a leading role in the outcome of the Paul Turner Retirement Handicap Chase.

It's no surprise to see Gigs Bounty (1.20) reverting to the smaller obstacles after a nervy effort which resulted in the eight-year-old hitting the deck when tried over fences at Fakenham.

It's been three long years since he visited the winners' enclosure, racking up two quick-fire Plumpton victories in November 2003 when in the care of Mark Pitman.

After Pitman called time on his career, Gigs Bounty moved to Midlands handler Chris Bealby, who has patched up the injury-prone eight-year-old and got him in the sort of shape to warrant an each-way bet for the Christmas Handicap Hurdle.

Bealby has booked top jockey Tony Dobbin for both Gigs Bounty and Stroom Bank (1.50), the latter sure to be popular with investors seeking profit in the two-mile-three-furlong Maiden Chase.

Even though Stroom Bank was a disappointing favourite on his most recent Sedgefield start, the official BHB ratings based on a couple of respectable second placings suggest he'll be hard to beat.

Brian Ellison's Malton stable had to endure a barren spell for much of the late autumn, however his team are now firing again, boding nicely for the prospects of Loulou Nivervais (2.50) in the two-mile Handicap Chase.

Just over 12 months ago the French-bred import looked a real star in the ascendancy when slamming Sue Smith's Flake by seven lengths in facile fashion at Sedgefield.

The fact Loulou Nivernvais hasn't added to that impressive triumph shouldn't necessarily be a worry as he's made the frame on a further four occasions, solid reassurance that his heart remains in the right place.

* David Pipe expects to be triple-handed in the £150,000 Ladbroke Hurdle on Saturday, but warns he would not want to see more rain at Ascot for two of his chances.

Shortest in the betting at 11-1 with the sponsors is Acambo, who was last seen winning the Swinton Handicap Hurdle at Haydock in May.

Pipe feels he is more effective on a quicker surface, however, along with the consistent Wee Dinns.

''I think that all three of mine will run,'' said Pipe, whose father, Martin, regularly plundered the richest handicap hurdles in the racing calendar.

''The last time I heard, the ground was good to soft, which will be fine for Desert Air. Acambo would probably want it better, as would Wee Dinns. I wouldn't want any more rain.''