Irish raider The Gatherer has excellent prospects of scooping a jackpot prize in tomorrow's richest race, the £110,000 Tote Gold Trophy Hurdle at Newbury.

Arthur Moore's charge would be a popular winner, having attracted such sustained support from punters in the ante-post market that his odds in recent days have slimmed from 12-1 to around 7-1.

Owned by the well-known JP McManus, whose runners, especially those in Britain, always command a great deal of respect, The Gatherer comes to Newbury on the back of a recent win at Leopardstown.

A 4lb penalty for that success will not exactly aid his chances tomorrow, but the eight-year-old still figures at the right end of the handicap. I anticipate The Gatherer making a bold bid.

The £60,000 Aon Chase looks a good opportunity for Bacchanal to get back in the winning groove.

Nicky Henderson's top-notch chaser has been beaten only once in five completed starts over fences - at Kempton in the King George V1 Chase at Christmas when he finished third to Florida Pearl.

There was no disgrace in that performance, run at a muddling gallop on a flat track on good ground. Tomorrow's stiffer test of stamina will suit Bacchanal, who can tee himself up for a tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup by winning this valuable prize.

Lady Cricket promises to take all the beating in the attheraces.co.uk Game Spirit Chase.

The eight-year-old, trained by Martin Pipe, made an encouraging return to action when second in a valuable handicap at Cheltenham two weeks ago. With that run under her belt, she is poised to go on better.

The fourth of the televised races from Newbury on Channel 4 is the TFM Cyntergy Handicap Hurdle, in which I fancy West Hill Rose.

Trained by the accomplished Victor Dartnell and a product of the point-to-point world, the seven-year-old trotted-up on heavy ground at Uttoxeter last time out.

She has more on her plate tomorrow, but is at the right end of the handicap to make herself a formidable rival and earn the Nap vote.

At Haydock, Joss Naylor can gain his third win of the campaign by landing the Red Square Reloaded Novices' Hurdle Series Final.

Jonjo O'Neill's gelding had a cosy success at Doncaster on his latest start and comes from a stable in fine form this season.

Moss Harvey represents Malcolm Jefferson in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle and looks sure to have plenty of supporters.

Four times a winner this season, the Norton gelding lost no medals at Newcastle last time when second to the highly-rated The Phair Crier when trying to concede 8lb.

Tomorrow's other two jumping fixtures, at Ayr and Catterick, are both in doubt, due to waterlogging and were subject to course inspections this afternoon.

If Catterick does get the go-ahead, make a note of the progressive Stamparland Hill (1.45), a stable-mate of Moss Harvey.

Tomorrow's tips:

<bold>Newbury</bold>

1.30 Japhet, 2.00 Irish Hussar, 2.30 Lady Cricket, 3.05 The Gatherer, 3.40 Bacchanal, 4.10 West Hill Rose (Nap), 4.40 Iris's Gift.

<bold>Haydock</bold>

1.05 Canada, 1.40 Moss Harvey, 2.15 Joss Naylor, 2.45 Skillwise, 3.15 Belisario, 3.45 The Butterwick Kid, 4.15 Gunner Welburn.

<bold>Catterick</bold>

1.15 Desert Fighter, 1.45 Stamparland Hill, 2.15 Chancers Dante, 2.50 Tom's River, 3.20 Noshinannikin, 3.50 Trade Dispute, 4.20 Abinito Lady.

Updated: 12:12 Friday, February 08, 2002