Andrew Balding, who took over from his father at the beginning of the year, can emulate his mentor, and uphold family tradition, by winning the feature race at Doncaster tomorrow.

Twelve months ago, Balding snr sent out Moor Lane to win the Great Yorkshire Chase, 51 years after his own father, Gerald had won the same race.

And tomorrow his son has a great chance of following-up with Gunner Welburn in the £50,000 showpiece - the richest race of the jumps season on Town Moor - sponsored by Sky Bet.

A top hunter chaser before joining the impressive Balding set-up at Kingsclere this season, specifically to be trained for the Martell Grand National, Gunner Welburn scored at Chepstow on his reappearance this term, but then failed to stay almost three and threequarter miles in the Welsh National on the same course.

There was, though, much to like about that performance, with Gunner Welburn jumping with his usual accuracy and coming to win his race before then running out of stamina.

Tomorrow's return to three miles should suit the lightly-raced 11-year-old. And, despite a competivive line-up, I expect him to make a bold bid to give Andrew Balding his first major success in a race which was special to both his father and his grandfather.

The £30,000 skybet.com River Don Novices' Hurdle, also over three miles, looks an ideal stepping stone for Tees Components.

Mary Reveley's smart Flat horse was beaten at odds-on at Newcastle last time, but a muddling pace over a shorter pace proved his undoing on that occasion. This stiffer test of stamina looks tailor-made for him.

My Nap vote is awarded to Europa in the skybet.com Mansion House Handicap Chase.

Tom Tate's smart gelding has won both his races this season, including one on this course last month.

The best of him is probably still to come and with the ground at Doncaster not expected to be any worse than good-to-soft, conditions look perfect for him. He should be hard to beat under Jason Maguire.

At Cheltenham, Valley Henry is fancied to put down his marker for the Gold Cup, back here in March, by winning the £80,000 Pillar Property Chase.

The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding is unbeaten in two outings this season and looks very much a horse on the upgrade.

Punters, conscious about the fact that he has had a seven-week absence, should not be alarmed as Nicholls believes him to be a horse who goes best fresh, and the way the season is panning out is very much the plan.

Should be win, or go close tomorrow, he will then not be seen until the Gold Cup. Crack Irish jockey David Casey has the mount.

Saturday's tips:

Doncaster

12.45 Extra Cache, 1.15 Tunstall, 1.45 Tees Components, 2.15 Gunner Welburn, 2.50 Europa (Nap), 3.25 Needwood Spirit, 4.00 Exstoto.

Cheltenham

12.55 Translucid, 1.30 Ask The Natives, 2.00 Classified, 2.35 Valley Henry, 3.10 Ballinclay King, 3.45 Saintsaire, 4.20 Benbyas.

- Tomorrow's other scheduled meetings are at Ayr and Lingfield.

Updated: 12:50 Friday, January 24, 2003