Royal Plum is worth picking at Catterick tomorrow.

The six-year-old goes for the Barton Novices' Handicap Hurdle over an extended three miles and will have the assistance of Alan Dempsey, who is enjoying the best campaign of his career.

Trained by Mary Reveley, Royal Plum got off the mark in fine style at Musselburgh two outings ago and lost nothing when, returning there for his latest race, he finished two lengths second to Johnston's Art.

In good form, like the majority of his stablemates, Royal Plum has an excellent chance of getting back in the winning groove tomorrow.

Lord Sandrovitch will take plenty of beating in the Malton Novices' Chase. Mick Easterby's gelding got back on the winning trail at Newcastle last month when beating Scotmail Lad by one and a half lengths after the pair had drawn well clear of the remainder of the field.

Lord Sandrovitch, who had previously finished second to the high class Truxkers Tavern pn the same course, is progressing well over fences and is napped to have the edge over Freetown.

Nephite will take all the beating in the Greta Bridge Handicap Chase over two miles.

The eight-year-old represents trainer Norman Mason, who also had the hat-trick seeking Mr Bossman among the entries for this race. The fact that Nephite, a winner at Newcastle last time, represents him instead, is a tip in itself.

The Ripon Selling Handicap Hurdle will not take much winning and Al Mabrook, trained by Kevin Ryan, has shown enough to suggest that he's capable of clinching the honours. Top northern pilot, Tony Dobbin has significantly been booked for the mount.

At Leicester, Boulevard Bay can shrug off top-weight in the Betfair.com Fair Betting Classified Chase over two miles.

Jimmy McCarthy's mount won over this course and distance a fortnight ago when gaining a short-head success over Simons Castle. A follow-up is on the cards.

Le Cabro D'or will take plenty of catching in the Betfair.com Telephone Betting Novices' Chase.

The headstrong eight-year-old does not have the best of brakes but he has talent, as he proved when failing by just a length to hold off the useful Wain Mountain at Uttoxeter last time.

Tomorrow's tips:

Catterick

2.00 Oath Of Allegiance

2.30 Rutledge Red

3.00 Lord Sandrovitch (Nap)

3.30 Al Mabrook

4.00 Royal Plum

4.30 Nephite

5.00 Captain's Leap

Leicester

2.20 Master Tern

2.50 Nocksky

3.20 Tribal Tract

3.50 Le Cabro D'or

4.20 Courage Under Fire

4.50 Boulevard Bay

Updated: 12:02 Monday, February 25, 2002