Overstrand, who did this column such a good turn when providing a 9-1 winning nap at Sandown two weeks ago, is again burdened as the star selection tomorrow as he bids to complete a notable double at Ascot.

The Mary Reveley-trained gelding goes for the £100,000 Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle and could well be set for another major pay-day, despite facing formidable opposition.

A strikingly progressive performer, who is unbeaten in four starts this season, Overstrand picked-up three small races before his latest valuable victory.

Ridden that day by Ruby Walsh, he was always travelling well and, as soon as he was given the signal to go, he romped away to win by five lengths from the much-vaunted Our Vic.

With Walsh unavailable tomorrow, Reveley has secured the services of fellow-top Irish rider Barry Geraghty for Overstrand, who promises to take the world of beating, despite a 12lb hike in the handicap.

Tom Paddington, winner of a good handicap at Newbury last time, and the highly-regarded Sud Bleu, look the main dangers to Overstrand in what promises to be a cracking race.

With Azertyuiop a non-runner in the Cantor Mobile Handicap Chase, Got One Too can take advantage.

Nicky Henderson's charge made a triumphant reappearance at Cheltenham last weekend and figures on a handy mark in his bid to follow-up. Mick Fitzgerald has the mount.

The absence of Kingscliff in the £50,000 cantorsport.co.uk Silver Cup Handicap Chase offers Impek the chance to supplement his recent victory.

Henrietta Knight's charge scored in good style at Sandown a fortnight ago, on his first try at three miles. He has every chance of completing a quick double.

Channel 4 cameras will be at Newcastle to cover four races, including the Westminster Hawthornes 'Ekbalco' Hurdle, in which Great As Gold can exyend his unbeaten sequence.

Brian Ellison's four-year-old has notched a hat-trick of victories in recent weeks in novice company. He looks capable of holding his own against more seasoned campaigners and is fancied to complete a four-timer.

Ulusaba should go well under his light weight in the Nitex Computer Fairs Northumberland Handicap Chase.

Ferdy Murphy's consistent seven-year-old, a winner at Hereford two outings ago, has since finished a good second to Deliceo on the same course. He has good prospects of going one better under Neil Mulholland.

Howard Johnson has his County Durham team in excellent form and the trainer looks likely to complete a double.

Inching Closer (1.05), winner of the Pertemps Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, will be a short-priced favourite to notch his first win over fenes, while the youthful Flat-racer Kasthari (1.35) gives Johnson another excellent chance in the novices' hurdle.

Saturday's tips:

Ascot

12-45 Krach, 1-15 Got One Too, 1-45 Impek, 2-20 Overstrand (NAP), 2-55 Lillium de Cotte, 3-25 Blazing Guns

Newcastle

12-05 Honest Endeavour, 12-35 Ryders Storm, 1-05 Inching Closer, 1-35 Kasthari, 2-10 Great As Gold, 2-45 Ulusaba, 3-20 Tullimoss

Tomorrow's other meetings are at Warwick, Hereford and Lingfield.

Updated: 12:10 Friday, December 19, 2003