The brilliant Barton is back.

Tim Easterby's stable-star, the outstanding novice hurdler of two years ago, returns to action tomorrow after having missed all last season through injury.

Newcastle's £37,000 Pertemps Fighting Fifth Hurdle is the target for Barton, who will have a new jockey in Tony Dobbin, who takes over the mount from the now-retired Lorcan Wyer, who was in the saddle when Barton completed seven wins from seven outings two seasons ago.

Runaway winner of the Royal And SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle at the 1999 Cheltenham Festival, Barton remains a very exciting prospect and, despite his lengthy absence, I confidently expect him to return in a blaze of glory tomorrow.

Dobbin, who is riding at the peak of his powers, could have a lucrative afternoon on Gosforth Park. He can also score on the promising Ballystone (1.20) and long-distance specialist Swanbister (2.25).

A thrilling days' racing also includes a top-notch meeting at Newbury, where Cumbrian trainer Martin Todhunter has a great chance of gaining his biggest-ever success with Kingsmark in the £90,000 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup Chase.

A horse who has grown in confidence and stature in in past year, Kingsmark is unbeaten in three outings this season and was an impressive winner of the Edward Hanmer Chase at Haydock a fortnight ago.

Raised 12lb by the handicapper as a result of that win, he has only a 4lb penalty to carry in tomorrow's early-closing race and is consequently 8lb 'well-in' compared to future races. He should give an excellent account of himself with accomplished claimer David Dennis again in the saddle.

Bacchanal, a leading staying hurdler last season, switches to fences in the cantorindex.com Fulke Walwyn Chase and can launch his new career in successful style. Nicky Henderson's top-class gelding has what it takes to scale the peak of the novice chasing tree.

Tremallt (1.45) will appreciate the return to two-and-a-half miles after failing to get home over three miles at Haydock last time, while prolific winner Mr Cool (3.20) promises to put Martin Pipe and Tony McCoy on the scoresheet in the Gerry Fielden Hurdle.

Heavy going at Haydock will not hinder the chances of Hugo de Grez, who will be in his element slogging it out over three-and-a-half miles in the Tim Molony Memorial Handicap Chase.

A progressive and much-improved campaigner, Brian Storey's mount is napped to add to his impressive tally of wins in this £18,000 race after having missed a tempting alternative at Carlisle yesterday.

Simply Gifted is a horse with a big future over fences and Tim Easterby's gelding has strong claims in the One Man Novices' Chase after his recent Leicester success.

Russ Garritty takes the mount on Simply Gifted and will also be aboard stablemate Share Options, whose runner-up effort at Leicester after a long absence augurs well for his chances in the Wakeful Handicap Chase.

Tomorrow's tips

Newcastle

12.20 Damien's Choice, 12.50 Smudger Smith, 1.20 Ballystone, 1.50 Jack Be Smart, 2.25 Swanbister, 2.55 Barton, 3.25 Weaver George

Newbury

12.45 Bacchanal, 1.15 Boss Doyle, 1.45 Tremallt, 2.20 Kingsmark, 2-50 Bold King, 3.20 Mr Cool, 3.50 Ilico li.

Haydock

1.05 Home Counties, 1.35 Corporation Pop, 2.10 Simply Gifted, 2.40 Share Options, 3.10 Hugo de Grez (Nap), 3.40 October Mist.