Barton, on the way to the top as a chaser, returns to Newcastle tomorrow in a bid to supplement his recent breathtaking win on the Gosforth track.

Tim Easterby's multi-talented charge, winner of nine of his 12 races over races, tackles the Stanley Racing Novices' Chase and will have the services of regular jockey Tony Dobbin.

Although beaten at odds-on on his fencing debut over an inadequate two miles at Wetherby, Barton was hugely impressive here a fortnight ago when he jumped for fun and beat a modest field by a wide margin without coming out of a canter.

That race was over two and a half miles and tomorrow Barton steps up to three, a distance which Easterby believes will be no problem for him.

An exciting prospect, Barton is unlikely to be defeated provided he puts in another clear round.

A year ago at this meeting Barton won the Pertemps Fighting Fifth Hurdle, which tomorrow will be contested by another North Yorkshire horse of abundant ability.

Dibea Times, trained by Malcolm Jefferson, won three of his four races last season and is held in high regard by his Norton handler, who twice won this race with Dato Star.

Dibea Times has a big task tomorrow if he is to beat the high-class Landing Light - a horse rated much higher than him - receiving only 8lb. But such is his potential, that the Ryedale gelding should not be underestimated.

The £100,000 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup has pride of place at Newbury, and Behrajan is napped to come out on top.

Henry Daly's strapping gelding ran a cracking race on his reappearance at Haydock to finish a close third to Kingsmark and Banker Count and should be cherry-ripe now.

The favourite Montifault will take plenty of beating with his light weight, but Behrajan beat him once last season and is probably capable of doing so again.

Although First Gold is better known as a top-class chaser these days, he should not be overlooked as he returns to action in the cahoot Long Distance Hurdle.

Likewise, a close eye should be kept on John Quinn's Ryedale raider B The One (3.00), who goes into action after an easy Haydock success.

The highlight of tomorrow's Haydock programme is the £18,000 Tim Molony Memorial Chase over an extended three miles. This marathon distance will hold no fears for Supreme Glory, a winner on his comeback outing last month and solid at this level.

The One Man Novices' Chase offers Golden Goal the chance to supplement his recent course victory, while Silver Socks, a third at Wetherby last time, should go well for Mick Easterby in the Eagle Park Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

Tomorrow's tips:

Newcastle

12.10 Petuntse, 12.40 Roman Outlaw, 1.10 Polish Flame, 1.40 Moss Harvey, 2.15 Barton, 2.50 Dibea Times, 3.25 The Major.

Newbury

12.15 Katarino, 12.45 Got One Too, 1.15 First Gold, 1.45 Young Devereaux, 2.20 Behrajan (Nap), 3.00 B The One, 3.30 Jaboune.

Haydock

(televised races)

2.35 Reverse Charge, 3.10 Supreme Glory, 3.40 The Merry Mason.

Updated: 12:08 Friday, November 30, 2001