SOME professional punters believe betting in selling races is one of the fastest routes to the poor house.

But it isn't always one-way traffic in favour of the bookies in such contests, a theory about to be put to the test by In Good Faith at Catterick today.

A couple seasons ago it would have been unthinkable that the previous 12-time hurdles winner In Good Faith (2.10) would be taking part in lowly events like the Dinsdale Conditional Jockeys' Selling Handicap Hurdle.

Sadly, Old Father Time has caught up with Ronnie Barr's 12-year-old, whose handicap mark at one time nose-dived from 114 to 70. The downward spiral was halted at Cartmel last May when he got back on track with a hard-fought success over Cosmic Ranger.

Although failing to get his head back in front since, In Good Faith has been knocking on the door, including when beaten under a length by Magic Bengie over an inadequate two-mile trip at the course last time out.

Barr has responded by upping his raider a further three furlongs, which should ensure the selection's superior staying power prevails and puts some pretty ordinary rivals in their places.

Argento's jumping has been a bit hit-and-miss so far this term, none more so than 48 days ago at Newcastle when he was ten lengths clear, only to hit the deck with a catastrophic blunder at the final obstacle.

Practice makes perfect and if George Moore's handsome gelding learns to curb his natural exuberance and execute his fencing with a little more safety, he could develop into a very decent chaser indeed.

With such a patchy record it would be downright silly to have the housekeeping money on Argento (3.10), but provided he serves up an all-important clear round for the Yorkshire Season Ticket Novices Chase, then victory is very much on the cards.

Confirmed front-runner Sir Norman (4.10) could have his rivals in trouble from a long way out in the £8,000 Marne Chase.

The predominantly level nature of the course means stamina is not at a premium, so if Sir Norman is allowed to set up a significant lead, as is his customary style, he may take some pegging back in the two-mile-three-furlong affair.

Peter Easterby was a past master at converting fair middle-distance flat performers into smart young juvenile hurdlers and the trick has not been lost on his son, Tim.

Tim, who placed Kentucky Blue (4.40) to win a nice prize on the level at Haydock during the summer, then switched his charge to hurdles at Wetherby, where the four-year-old duly won on his jumping debut in early December.

Kentucky Blue returned to the fray later on that month, only to come a cropper at the last flight when challenging King Revo for the lead. Considering King Revo is regarded as one of the season's leading hurdlers of his generation, the form backs up the contention that Kentucky Blue looks a proverbial steering job in the closing Hartlepool Juvenile Novices Hurdle.

* Wetherby have called a 1pm inspection for day to assess prospects for racing tomorrow.

* Trainer Bob Johnson and his jockey son Kenny have failed in their appeal against the decision of the stewards at Catterick to find them in breach of the Rules of Racing.

Following the run of Upswing in the Ian Hutchinson Memorial Challenge Cup Novices Handicap Chase, Johnson snr was found to be in breach of Rule 155 (ii) and fined £1,600, and his son suspended for eight days. The horse was banned from running for 30 days.

The jockey stated that his instructions were to drop the gelding in, establish a rhythm and get him jumping. He added that Upswing cannot be ridden vigorously and he had only ridden him hands and heels after the last fence.

Get more on racing at our Racing North site.