SIMPLY DASHING, a fast-finishing runner-up to Cyfor Malta at Cheltenham last month, returns to Prestbury Park tomorrow with excellent prospects of going one better in the feature race.

Tim Easterby's high-class performer bids to hit the jackpot in the £75,000 Tripleprint Gold Cup Chase and, despite top weight, will take plenty of beating.

Simply Dashing met some interference after the fall of Senor El Betrutti on his latest start and looked to face a hopeless task at the top of the hill with four fences to jump.

But he started to motor from the second last and finished with a tremendous flourish up the Cheltenham straight to get to within a length of Cyfor Malta, the easing-down winner.

A slight setback has forced Cyfor Malta to miss tomorrow's race but the field is still competitive.

Easterby is toying with the idea of allowing Simply Dashing the opportunity of tackling the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day. A bold show tomorrow will confirm his place in the Kempton line-up.

Dato Star carries North Yorkshire's hopes in the £35,000 Bonusprint Bula Hurdle.

Malcolm Jefferson's stable-star romped home by five lengths from French Holly in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle a fortnight ago. If able to reproduce that level of form on tomorrow's expected faster ground, Dato Star will be hard to catch.

Lorcan Wyer, rider of Simply Dashing, also takes the mount on Dato Star and is promised a lucrative afternoon.

The hat-trick seeking Mister Morose (1.55) and the highly-regarded Irish Banker (3.40) are also worth noting on Cheltenham's card.Channel 4 will be covering four races from Cheltenham plus two from Doncaster including the featured £11,000 Neville Crump Memorial Handicap Chase in which Nap selection Cab On Target has solid claims.

Although disappointing at Wetherby last Saturday, Cab On Target found that two and a half miles against him. He will be much better suited to tomorrow's step up to three and a quarter miles.

Mary Reveley's charge, who will also relish the good ground, will receive every assistance from Peter Niven.

Effectual (1.10) and Blown Wind (2.10) are also worthy of interest on Town Moor.

BBC1 will televise live three races from Haydock, where Suny Bay holds all the aces in the featured Tommy Whittle Chase after his recent course victory in the Edward Hanmer Chase.

Hugely favoured by the conditions of this non-handicap race, the popular grey will surely prove too good for Grand National winners Earth Summit and Lord Gyllene, both of whom beat him into second place at Aintree.

Recent Newton Abbot winner Native Field (1.45) can follow up,, while the flying Morceli should not be overlooked in the Tote Handicap Chase despite have been off the course for two years.

Cheltenham feature has 13 runners

THERE were no surprise withdrawals today from the Tripleprint Gold Cup at Cheltenham tomorrow, for which 13 steeplechasers were confirmed at the overnight stage.

As expected one-time ante-post favourite Cyfor Malta misses the race leaving champion trainer Martin Pipe to rely on Northern Starlight.

Simply Dashing, a strong-finishing runner-up to Cyfor Malta over two and a half miles in the Murphy's Gold Cup last time but visored for the first time here, is set to carry top weight of 11st 13lb and is sure to appreciate the extra furlong of tomorrow's contest.

Stormy Passage, carrying the colours made famous by West Tip, is the current favourite on the strength of an impressive reappearance in the Jacky Upton Chase at Newbury last month when he disposed of Mr Strong Gale by three lengths.

Mr Strong Gale reopposes tomorrow but meets his old rival on just 3lb better terms.

Richard Dunwoody, who partnered West Tip to victory in the Grand National, takes the ride on Stormy Passage.

Stormy Passage's trainer Philip Hobbs also has Murphy's third Dr Leunt in the 21-furlong contest run over the New Course.

Addington Boy will bid to put a disappointing effort in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup behind him in a race he won two years ago.

Tomorrow's tips

CHELTENHAM12.45......................Lady Rebecca 1.20........................Ashwell Boy 1.55.....................Mister Morose 2.30..................Simply Dashing 3.05.............................Dato Star 3.40........................Irish BankerDONCASTER12.00...............Sikandar A Azam12.35..................No More Hassle 1.10..............................Effectual 1.40.........Cab On Target (Nap) 2.10........................Blown Wind 2.40....................Wayward King 3.15...............................TessajoeHAYDOCK12.40.................Eben Al Habeeb 1.15................Subtle Influence 1.45........................Native Field 2.15................................Morceli 2.45.............................Suny Bay 3.15...................................Robbo

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