Barton, the most exciting prospect in Ryedale, is confidently expected to bolster his burgeoning reputation by winning the feature race at Sandown tomorrow.

The £15,000 Bovis Europe Winter Novices' Hurdle is a step up in a class for the Tim Easterby-trained gelding, but it will take something extra special to beat him.

Previously trained by the now-retired Charlie Brooks at Lambourn, Barton joined Easterby during the summer and is unbeaten in three races since.

Barton, who carries the colours of Stan Clarke whose Lord Gyllene won last year's Grand National, gained his first two victories in admirable style at Wetherby.

His latest success was achieved impressive fashion at Uttoxeter. He treated his rivals with contempt and came home six lengths clear of Do Ye Know Wha, a previous winner.

Nap selection Barton has all the credentials to go to the top of the tree and tomorrow he can extend his unbeaten score to four with Lorcan Wyer, as usual, in the saddle.

Stormyfairweather will take plenty of beating in the P&O Development Novices' Chase.

Nicky Henderson's charge, a useful hurdler, made a successful debut over fences at Cheltenham last month when justifying favouritism at the chief expense of Skycab, the five lengths runner-up.

Stormyfairweather has the scope to develop into a high-class novice chaser and this race is a good opportunity for him to take another step up the ladder.Menesonic gets my vote in the Bovis Lelliott Handicap Chase.

Robert Alner's consistent charge, a winner first time out this season, had the misfortune to cross swords with Teeton Mill at Wincanton on his latest start and finished an eight lengths runner-up to last Saturday's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup winner.

Menesonic, who probably found the 25 furlongs of the Wincanton race on the short side for him, will appreciate tomorrow's marathon distance. Andrew Thornton has the mount.

Moon Devil has good prospects of doubling his score for the season by winning the Bovis Crowngap Handicap Chase.

The eight-year-old made a very special return to action at Newbury last month when gaining a pillar-to-post nine lengths victory over Jimmy FitzGerald's Sounds Fyne.

If Moon Devil adopts similar tactics tomorrow he will take plenty of catching in the hands of Brendan Powell.

At Hereford, Jemaro will be attempting to lead all the way in the Sidney Phillips For Pubs Handicap Chase - not that his jockey Gary Lyons will have much say in the matter.

Jemaro, a very headstrong individual, is virtually unstoppable but does have ability, as he showed when gaining a runaway victory at Haydock last Saturday. A 7lb penalty may not be enough to anchor him here.

TOMORROW'S TIPS

SANDOWN

1.00..........................Native King

1.30.............Stormyfairweather

2.05........................Barton (Nap)

2.35.............................Menesonic

3.10...........................Moon Devil

3.40......................Charlie's Gold

HEREFORD

12.40...............Back On The Lash

1.10..................................Jemaro

1.40..................................Prussia

2.15........................Party Animal

2.45......................Dancing Laird

3.20.........................Hoh Express

3.50............................Sau-Mynde

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.