GREY ABBEY, the pride and joy of Cumbrian trainer Barry Murtagh, can hit the jackpot at Doncaster's final jumping meeting of the season tomorrow.

The eight-year-old gelding goes for the £30,000 Grimthorpe Showcase Handicap Chase over three and a quarter miles and I expect him to be difficult to beat.

A prolific winner, Grey Abbey developed a breathing problem earlier this season but was successfully operated on following a below-par performance at Wetherby's Christmas meeting.

The outcome was there for all to see at Ayr three weeks ago when Grey Abbey, on his favourite course, produced a fine performance under top weight to beat Paperising in tremendous style.

A tilt at the Scottish Grand National is on the cards for Grey Abbey next month, but Murtagh intends to make hay while the sun shines and tomorrow's valuable prize will be most welcome.

Vrin gets my vote in the £20,000 Tote Scoop6 Handicap Hurdle.

Venetia Williams' charge won at Newbury two outings ago but ruined his chances at Sandown last time with some sloppy jumping. He is worth another chance tomorrow with Brian Crowley in the saddle.

Len Lungo, who is enjoying an excellent campaign, can win the Light Infantry Plate Novices' Hurdle with Full Irish.

A dual bumper winner, the six-year-old tipped-up at Newcastle on his hurdling debut but gained compensation next time at Sedgefield. He is an exciting prospect and I expect him to cope with this step up in class.

My Nap vote is awarded to Gypsy in the Pardubice Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

The six-year-old, trained by Norman Mason, finished a very creditable third to Colourful Life at Newcastle last time and a reproduction of that form would make him hard to beat here.

Channel 4 racing will be televising four races from Doncaster and four from Newbury, where the £15,000 Sodexho Prestige Handicap Chase offers Echo's Of Dawn the chance to return to the winning trail.

John Upson's gelding underlined his well-being at Sandown last month when narrowly beaten by the well-handicapped Billingsgate. I famncy him to go one better tomorrow.

The Tote Exacta Handicap Chase could provide Moving Earth with an opportunity to shine following his mulish display at Wincanton last week when he refused to race. Talented on his day, he remains a tricky betting proposition..

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Moving Earth, can also lift the TFM Cyntergy Novices' Chase with St Pirran.

Joe Tizzard's mount is a pretty classy performer and, following a mid-season break, he is fancied to return to the winning trail.

Tomorrow's tips:

Doncaster

1.50 - Gypsy (Nap)

2.25 - Full Irish

3.00 - Red Ark

3.35 - Grey Abbey

4.10 - Vrin

4.40 - Run For Paddy

5.15 - Florida Rain

Newbury

2.10 - St Pirran

2.45 - Echo's Of Dawn

3.20 - Prokofiev

3.55 - Moving Earth

4.25 - Forest Gunner

5.00 - Malarkey

5.35 - Easy Tiger

Updated: 14:25 Friday, March 01, 2002