Tim Easterby, fresh from his outstanding big-race double on Saturday, can keep up the winning momentum at Carlisle tomorrow.

The Great Habton trainer saddles Scotton Green in the Pioneer Foods Lakeland Beef Handicap Chase and this out-and-out stayer is fancied to record his first win of the campaign.

This gruelling three and a half miles will hold no terrors for Scotton Green, who gave notice that his winning turn was near at Catterick last month when he chased home Ballystone.

The 11-year-old certainly represents a stable in form.

On Saturday, Easterby clinched the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot with Turgeonev and also the Cantor Index 'Dipper' Novices' Chase at Newcastle with the brilliant Barton.

Few can be in doubt following Barton's victory by 30 lengths that he is going to take all the beating in the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham on March 12.

Apart from one mistake Barton jumped impeccably but finished with blood dribbling from his near-fore foot after losing a shoe.

"He's fine. He just had a nasty little cut but it's all right now," said Easterby.

"It'll take a hell of a horse to get past him. We might not run him again. We might just wait for Cheltenham"

Turgeonev is now 20-1 with bookmakers Ladbrokes and Coral for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Tony Dobbin, who is full of praise for Barton and eagerly looking forward to renewing his partnership with the nine-year-old at the National Hunt Festival, travels to Carlisle tomorrow with bright prospects of a winner.

Dobbin, who completed a treble at Newcastle on Saturday, teams-up tomorrow with Wayward Buttons in the Lanercost Handicap Chase and Martin Todhunter's former point-to-pointer is napped to prevail.

A winner at Sedgefield two outings ago, Wayward Buttons blundered away his chance at the second-last fence at Musselburgh on his latest outing.

He should be granted the opportunity to gain compensation here and I expect him to be well suited by this drop back to two and a half miles.

One Stop deserves attention in the Milton Handicap Hurdle.

Maurice Barnes' gelding has run creditably in both his outings this season and is a previous winner over this course and distance. Calvin McCormack has the mount.

Le Cabro D'or gets my vote in the Hadrians Wall Novices' Chase over an extended three miles.

This headstong eight-year-old was no match for Barton at Newcastle six weeks ago, but he had previously run out a clear-cut winner at Uttoxeter from Maximise, successful in a decent race since then.

The Brampton Handicap Hurdle looks a good opportunity for Needwood Spirit to return to the winning groove.

Muriel Naughton's gelding was denied a hat-trick of wins last time out, but he remains in fine form and it is worth remembering that he is a previous winner on this course.

At Folkestone, Indian Gunner can win the Lookout Restaurant Novices' Handicap Chase.

Formerly trained by Nicky Richards and now with Dr Jeremy Naylor, the nine-year-old has had his share of problems down the years. But he has come back well this term and was a deserving winner at Leicester three weeks ago.

Tomorrow's tips:

Carlisle

12.45 - Silvertown

1.15 - Le Cabro D'or

1.45 - Khan Kicker

2.15 - Scotton Green

2.45 - Needwood Spirit

3.15 - Wayward Buttons (Nap)

3.45 - One Stop

Folkestone

1.25 - Non So

1.55 - Indian Gunner

2.25 - Contes

2.55 - Fin Bec

3.25 - Strike Accord

3.55 - Priory Wood

Updated: 14:59 Monday, January 14, 2002