BENBYAS, winner of his last two races, heads to the home of National Hunt racing tomorrow to bid for a notable hat-trick.

The gelding, trained at Hambleton by Les Eyre, journeys from North Yorkshire to Cheltenham to contest the £25,000 C F Roberts Handicap Hurdle and has excellent prospects of success.

Benbyas has gained both of his wins at Wetherby, on each occasion showing limitless determination to fend off challengers and claim the prize.

The four-year-old now moves out of novice company and takes on more seasoned campaigners, but he is professional enough to cope with that promotion and is fancied to extend his winning sequence.

The televised coverage from Cheltenham on Channel 4 kicks-off with the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle and although Martin Pipe's prolific winner It Takes Time will be all the rage, I prefer the claims of Run For Paddy, who will start at more generous odds and is awarded the nap vote.

A useful novice with Mark Pitman, Run For Paddy has now joined Heather Dalton, and finished second here to Brother Joe in October on his first run for his new trainer.

The step up to three miles should suit Run For Paddy, who makes plenty of appeal in the hands of Adie Smith.

The Sporting Index Select Handicap takes place over the cross-country course, which is a popular feature at Cheltenham.

Lucky Clover will have no fears of this unique circuit, having won over the same course and distance last month. The nine-year-old faces stronger opposiotion this time but, as consistent as they come, he promises to take plenty of beating.

The £40,000 George Stevens Handicap Chase has attracted a good-quality line-up and Frenchman's Creek, a course winner last month, figures at the right end of the weights to make his presence felt.

The first leg of Doncaster's two-day meeting is pretty tame stuff, especially compared to Cheltenham, but Ferdy Murphy has good reason to be looking forward to the fixture.

The Middlesham trainer saddles Ichi Beau in 'The Holly And The Ivy' Handicap Chase, and this bold frontrunner will be hard to peg back for his three rivals.

After two outings this season, Ichi Beau should now be approaching his peak.

Andy Crook has done well since taking over from Mick Hammond earlier this year and the Middleham trainer can score with Kandy Four in the 'Good King Wenceslas' Maiden Chase.

The six-year-old has been placed in all his three completed starts this season and is overdue a win.

Tomorrow's tips:

CHELTENHAM

12-05 Robber Baron

12-35 Direct Access

1-10 Run For Paddy (Nap)

1-45 Lucky Clover

2-20 Benbyas

2-55 Frenchman's Creek

3-30 Sam Quale

DONCASTER

12-00 Into Battle

12-30 Kandy Four

1-00 Up The Khyber

1-35 Never Wonder

2-10 Ichi Beau

2-45 Allimac

3-20 Poon Hill

Updated: 12:30 Thursday, December 13, 2001