GREY SAMURAI (12.45) rates a rock-solid each-way bet on a hugely competitive seven-race card at Catterick today.

The Skeeby Selling Handicap Hurdle isn't the most glamorous contest in the world, but beggars can't be choosers and even though Grey Samurai has yet to win a race his latest Uttoxeter third-placing must have given his owners hope.

Neither of the first two in that encounter, Winds Supreme or Tetragon, are complete mugs. In fact if Brian Ellison's six-year-old can reproduce the run pound-for-pound, victory in the lowly two-mile event is a distinct possibility.

Every punters' worst nightmare came true at Fakenham 15 days ago when the well-backed favourite, Count Fosco, moved up menacingly, only to crumple on landing four fences from the finish.

Count Fosco (1.20) hadn't put a foot wrong until that untimely gaffe, which clearly cost connections dear as according to the market the cash was clearly down on Martin Todhunter's gelding.

Whether the selection can recoup losses in the December Handicap Chase is open to speculation, although if you were involved in the Fakenham gamble, it would be churlish to desert him for what might turn out to be a one-off blunder.

Michael Chapman has never been averse to keeping his horses busy, so it's no surprise to see Dalriath (2.20) making a rapid return to the fray after occupying the runners-up spot at Leicester on Sunday.

Chapman's mare jumps for fun and is well-suited by the tight left-handed track, which plays to her strengths, rather than placing the emphasis on a test of stamina.

The closing National Hunt Flat Race is a pretty warm affair, but Tazbar (3.25) has done little wrong in two starts and gets the confident nod.

Keith Reveley's raider made a winning debut at Perth in June, prior to a narrow Haydock defeat when he failed to peg back the highly-rated Harrowman by three-quarters of a length.

On that evidence Tazbar has an extremely bright future over hurdles, however Keith has sensibly erred on the safe side and kept Phil Kinsella's mount to a grade in which he's currently thriving.

* Inglis Drever has shown no after-effects following his victorious reappearance at Newbury on Saturday, although he will still be campaigned sparingly this season.

The 2005 Ladbrokes World Hurdle and Order Of Merit winner was kept busy during that triumphant year, but was running for the first time since picking up a tendon injury last Christmas.

Following his hard-fought success over Irish Wolf in the VC Casino.com Long Distance Hurdle, the Howard Johnson-trained seven-year-old is now 5-1 with the sponsors to retain his crown at Cheltenham.

Owner Graham Wylie said: ''He's fine. I saw him on Sunday and he has come out of the race with no problems at all. Howard wants to see how he is for a week or two first and then see what to do with him."