BATSWING, who got no further than the first hurdle on his latest big-race assignment, can gain compensation at Aintree tomorrow.

Trained at Norton by the in-form Brian Ellison, the six-year-old lines up for the Cordon Bleu Handicap Hurdle with excellent prospects of victory.

A winner at Doncaster two outings ago, Batswing was well fancied for the Imperial Cup at Sandown last month, but was unluckily brought down by a faller at the first flight.

Happily, none-the-worse for that tumble, Batswing can strike a blow for Ryedale at the Grand National meeting.

Barton represents Tim Easterby in the £120,000 Martell Aintree Hurdle.

A winner over this course and distance as a novice, he ran atrociously at Cheltenham last time but was found to be out of sorts afterwards.

Stepping up to two-and-a-half miles tomorrow should suit Barton who, if back to his best, deserves attention.

The Bajan Bandit should not be opposed in the Martell Weatherbys Champion National Hunt Flat Race.

Len Lungo's charge is unbeaten in three career starts and was most impressive when winning a valuable race at Chepstow on his latest outing.

Proven on soft ground, The Bajan Bandit is expected to take the world of beating with Tony Dobbin - also the rider of Barton and Batswing - on board.

Champion flat jockey Kevin Darley returns to the saddle at Musselburgh tomorrow after a fortnight off with a wrist injury.

Sheriff Hutton-based Darley can strike a winning blow aboard the well-regarded newcomer Fragrant Storm in the Scottish Racing Novice Stakes.

His two main championship rivals can also figure among the winners on the same programme.

Kieren Fallon is fancied to score on Lennel in division two of the Come Racing In Scotland Maiden Stakes, while Richard Quinn has an outstanding chance aboard Kid'z'play in the Perth NH Festival Coming Soon Handicap.

Tomorrow's tips:

AINTREE

1.45 Batswing

2.20 Whitenzo

2.55 Barton

3.45 Papillon (NAP)

4.35 Galway

5.15 The Bajan Bandit

MUSSELBURGH

1.25 Nowell House

1.55 Abbajabba

2.30 Fragrant Storm

3.05 Inchiri

4.15 Lady Miletrian

4.50 Kid'z'play

5.20 Lennel

Updated: 13:29 Friday, April 06, 2001