Banker Count, rated by jockey Richard McGrath as the best horse he has ridden, can hit the jackpot for trainer Mick Easterby at Cheltenham tomorrow.

The nine-year-old, a revelation already this season, lines-up for the £100,000 Tripleprint Gold Cup and is napped to clinch what would be the biggest prize of McGrath's career.

The tall Irishman, who made a name for himself riding for Jonjo O'Neill before electing to pursue a freelance status last season, has established such a wonderful rapport with Banker Count that Easterby lays the credit for the horse's staggering improvement at McGrath's door.

"Richard has made this horse. He's given him confidence and taught him how to jump properly," says the Sheriff Hutton handler.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Banker Count has won two valuable handicaps at Wetherby this season and, in his only defeat, he divided Kinsgmark and Behrajan - subsequently runner-up in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury - in the Edward Hanmer Chase at Haydock.

Banker Count's latest success, achieved as recently as last Saturday, saw him beat a good-class field, despite being burdened with top-weight of 12st.

Banker Count has a 6lb penalty to carry tomorrow, but anyone who saw his latest triumph will take some convincing that the extra weight will make much of a difference to a horse in the form of his life. He promises to make a bold bid.

Barton faces his first real acid-test over fences in the Tripleprint Novices' Chase.

Tim Easterby's top-notch hurdler has won two of his three races since switching to the major obstacles and, although not overly impressive when scoring at Newcastle a fortnight ago, he remains a horse of immense potential. He is taken to complete a hat-trick.

Tony Dobbin, rider of Barton, can also land the Triplerint Novices' Hurdle on The Bajan Bandit.

Len Lungo's prolific winner, last season's leading bumper horse, has won both his starts over hurdles this season and has yet to taste defeat in his career. His unblemished record could well be extended tomorrow.

Landing Light, who made a winning comeback at Newcastle last month, looks the one to be on in the Bula Hurdle.

Over at Haydock, Kingsmark, conqueror of Banker Count last month when he won the Edward Hanmer Chase here for the second successive year, has excellent prospects of winning the £45,000 Tommy Whittle Chase.

One horse to keep on the right side of at Doncaster is Fireaway in the Doncaster Racecourse Sponsorship Club Novices' Hurdle.

A dual-winner for Owen Brennan in bumpers last season, Fireaway is an exciting recruit to hurdles and has all the credentials to make a big name for himself in the weeks and months ahead. A triumphant reappearance is anticipated.

Also worth noting on Town Moor is Misty Class, who bids to win the featured Worthington Creamflow Neville Crump Memorial Handicap Chase for the second successive year.

Tomorrow's Tips

CHELTENHAM

12-10 ..........Magnus

12-45 ..........Turgeonev

1-20 ..........Greenhope

1-55 ..........Barton

2-30 ..........Banker Count (NAP)

3-05 ..........Landing Light

3-30 ..........Bold King

HAYDOCK

12-30 ..........Speed Venture

1-00 ..........Miros

1-30 ..........B The One

2-05 ...........Aspirant Dancer

2-35 ...........Kingsmark

3-05 ...........Thrill A Minute

3.35 ...........Better Days

DONCASTER

12-00 ..........Bow Strada

12-35 .........Fireaway

1-10 ..........Double Blade

1-40 ..........Misty Class

2-15 ...........Lord North

2-50 ...........Sikander A Azam

3-20 ...........Keiran

Updated: 12:38 Friday, December 14, 2001