Brian Ellison, who captured a useful prize at Cheltenham recently with Latalomne, returns south to Newbury tomorrow with another valuable race in his sights.

The Norton trainer saddles Batswing in the £15,000 Tote Jackpot Handicap Hurdle and is fancied to make a bold bid.

A smart performer on the Flat and over hurdles, Batswing ran a cracking race at the same Cheltenham meeting where Latalomne prevailed by finishing third to Westender, beaten only six lengths.

The Norton gelding, who was held-up off the pace that day, came from a pretty unpromising position and did well in the end to finish so close.

With that run under his belt and the likelihood of slightly different tactics being employed tomorrow, Batswing is napped to provide Ellison with another winner south of the border.

The £30,000 Bet 365 Telebet Novices' Chase takes pride of place on the televised Newbury programme and I expect Southern Star to come out on top.

Trained by the in-form Henrietta Knight, this exciting six-year-old looked good when winning his first two starts over fences.

His hat-trick bid was dented, however, by a fifth-fence blunder at Cheltenham two weeks ago which caused his jockey to be unseated.

Southern Star remains a very useful chaser in the making and should be given the chance tomorrow to atone for that mishap. Jim Cullotty again has the mount.

Also worth noting at Newbury are the well regarded newcomer Non So (12.50) and the in-form Image De Marque II (3.30).

At Bangor, Trading Trouble can make his journey from Malcolm Jefferson's Norton stable worthwhile by landing the Ellesmere 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle.

The four-year-old, a bumper winner last season, shaped well over hurdles at Kelso recently when finishing second to dual-winner Gralmano.

With that experience sure to stand him in excellent stead, Trading Trouble can fulfill his promise and go one better here. Tom Siddall has the mount.

Jacdor looks the answer the Chorlton Handicap Hurdle. Robin Dickin's seven-year-old, a previous winner on this course, looks to be running into form and, with only four rivals, he is fancied to open his seasonal account.

Hussard Collonges, a winner over hurdles last season for Peter Beaumont, makes his debut over fences for the Brandsby trainer in the Malise Novices' Chase.

The six-year-old has always looked an embryo chaser and, although he is hardly a betting proposition tomorrow on his first outing of the campaign, he deserves close attention. Russ Garritty has the mount.

Tomorrow's tips:

Newbury

12.50 Non So

1.25 King Of Sparta

2.00 Box Builder

2.30 Southern Star

3.00 Batswing (Nap)

3.30 Image De Marque II

Bangor

1.10 Fast King

1.40 Hussard Collonges

2.15 Jacdor

2.45 Enrique

3.15 Arctic Spirit

3.45 Trading Trouble

Updated: 12:01 Thursday, November 29, 2001