BARTON, brilliant winner of the Royal And Sun Alliance Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival 20 months ago, returns to the scene of his greatest triumph tomorrow in a bid to extend his remarkable unbeaten sequence to nine.

Tim Easterby's stable-star contests the £40,000 Bonusprint Bula Hurdle - one of four races being televised by Channel 4 - and success in this prestigious Grade 2 contest will take him a step closer to a not-to-be-missed showdown with Istabraq in the Champion Hurdle in March.

Barton, who missed the whole of last season through injury, returned to action in a blaze of glory at Newcastle a fortnight ago when easily winning the Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

He has more on his plate tomorrow, but such is his power and potential that he is fancied to come through with flying colours.

Tony Dobbin, who has taken over the mount on Barton following the retirement of Lorcan Wyer, will be in the hot-seat.

The £80,000 Tripleprint Gold Cup Chase takes pride of place at Cheltenham, and Mary Reveley, who had four winners at Huntingdon yesterday, can have a say in the outcome.

The Cleveland trainer saddles nap selection Robbo, who makes plenty of appeal as a 14-1 shot following his recent victory at Kelso.

Although not the most straightforward of horses, the talented Robbo will receive every assistance from Alan Dempsey, who knows him so well. A bold bid is anticipated.

The Doubleprint Tingle Creek Chase, transferred from last Saturday's abandoned Sandown meeting, offers Tiutchev the chance to start the season on a winning note.

Nicky Henderson's classy charge was a convincing winner of the Arkle Trophy over this course and distance last March and looks set to take high rank in the senior division this winter.

At Haydock, King's Road will not be short of supporters in the £42,000 Tommy Whittle Chase.

The mud-loving gelding won the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury a fortnight ago and is now one of the market-leaders for the Welsh National at Chepstow later this month.

He can land this valuable prize en route to his National assault.

At Doncaster, Sea Pigeon, who died at the age of 30 last month, is honoured by the running of his annual race.

None of the horses taking part could have held a light to the dual Champion Hurdle winner but an interesting contest is assured and it may be worth giving one more chance to Dhaudeloup following placed efforts at Ascot and Wetherby recently - while in the featured Neville Crump Memorial Handicap Chase, Random Harvest should give a good account of himself.

The in-form Weaver George makes plenty of appeal in the Vulrory's Clown Handicap Chase - named after a multiple Doncaster winner.

The 11-year-old bounced back to winning form at Wetherby recently and is another who hails from the currently all-conquering Reveley yard.

Tomorrow's tips

CHELTENHAM

12.15........................October Mist

12.50.................................Jungli

1.25...............................Tiutohev

1.55...........Somemanforoneman

2.30.........................Robbo (Nap)

3.05.....................................Barton

3.40........................Sheer Genius

DONCASTER

12.35.....................Weaver George

1.10..... ........................Ridgeway

1.40...................Random Harvest

2.10.........................Gigolo Gerry

2.45..................Oliver Cromwell

3.20..........................Dhaudeloup

HAYDOCK

2.25.....................Court of Justice

1.00..... ........................Corniche

1.30..................Father Kristmas

2.05.......................Polar Prospect

2.35..........................Kings Road

3.10...............................Lastman

3.40...............................Saint Ciel