Barton, the pride of Ryedale, can play a starring role on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival tomorrow.

The Tim Easterby-trained gelding, winner of four of his five races this season, goes for the £125,000 Irish Independent Arkle Chase and and I expect him to triumph in the hands of Tony Dobbin.

Winner of the Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle at this star-studded meeting three years ago, Barton has since made the transition to fences.

Despite a defeat on his chasing debut at Wetherby, his record since has been unblemished, his four straight wins being achieved by an aggregate of 83 lengths.

Some people have focussed on Barton's occasional jumping errors and have cast doubts on his ability to jump around this undulating course, but neither Easterby nor Dobbin share those fears.

"One of the best jumpers as a novice that I've ever ridden," says the jockey.

Barton faces a severe test, with the likes of Seebald and Fondmort among the opposition for an event which could well be the race of the meeting.

Thrills are guaranteed in this crackerjack of a two-miler and I mak Barton my Nap selection.

All eyes will be on Istabraq in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle as Aidan O'Brien's superstar performer bids to become the first horse in history to win the race four times.

Now aged ten, and with only one outing under his belt this season, Istabraq faces his sternest task to date. Much as I would love to see him win, I fear he might have to settle for a supporting role.

My preference is for Valiramix, trained by Martin Pipe.

A runaway winner of his only outing this season, and aimed specifically at this race, Valiramix comes from a stable in dynamic form. He threatens to spoil the Istabraq party.

Favourite backers are likely to have an early strike courtesy of Like-A-Butterfly in the opening race of the Festival, the Gerrard Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Owned, like Istabraq, by JP McManus, this cracking mare has won her last seven races.

She has the added advantage tomorrow of receiving the mares' allowance. It is going to be very difficult to beat her.

The other three races on the Cheltenham programme are all tricky handicaps, and Royale De Vassy is selected to clinch the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase.

Venetia Williams' eight-year-old has been lightly raced this season, but is a very talented mare in this company.

Royale De Vassy, a previous winner over this course and distance, promises to take all the beating despite having to carry top weight.

The consistent Frenchman's Creek, a course winner already this season, should give backers a good run for their money in the William Hill Handicap Chase.

Iris Royal figures on a handy mark in the Pertemps Hurdle Final, the 'getting-out' race on what should be a thrilling opening day to the Festival.

Tomorrow's tips:

Cheltenham

2.00 Like-A-Butterfly

2.35 Barton (Nap)

3.15 Valiramix

3.55 Frenchman's Creek

4.30 Royale De Vassy

5.05 Iris Royal

Sedgefield

2.25 Rakaposhi Raid

3.00 Supreme Breeze

3.35 Binny Bay

4.15 Chadswell

4.50 Maddy's Supreme

5.25 Jolly Minster

Updated: 12:31 Monday, March 11, 2002