OWNER Keith Brown feels he could have found “the next Top Notch Tonto” ahead of Orewa’s debut at Beverley’s first meeting of the season today.

The two-year-old, trained in Ryedale by Brian Ellison, cost Brown 18,000 euros at Tattersalls Ireland last September and is one of eight declarations for the five-furlong Welcome Back To Beverley Novice Auction Stakes (2.35pm).

Brown’s silks are best known for Top Notch Tonto, the 2013 QEII runner-up who broke his maiden at the second attempt on the Westwood.

And the East Yorkshire-based owner is also expecting big things from his new colt, a son of Helmet.

Brown said: “He’s the most expensive horse I’ve ever bought, but he’s such a well-bred, lovely colt.

“All Helmet colts were making around £50k to £75k but this one came out at around 1.45pm, and by that time everyone was knocking back food and drink and I was the only left in the sales hall, so I think we’ve got a bargain.

“He’s got quite a high action so I hope we don’t get too much more rain, but Beverley is my local track and this looks a good race for him.

“From what we’ve seen so far, I’m hoping he could be our next Top Notch Tonto.

“He’s been working really well and is a smashing-looking horse.”

Top Notch Tonto, meanwhile, is reported in top form as the distinctive-looking six-year-old – also trained by Norton-based Ellison - gears up for a return to the track in the bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown on April 22.

Brown said “Tonto was really unlucky last year.

“He obviously won at York, but three other times he was beaten by such a short margin.

“We’ll start him out in the mile-and-a-quarter race at Sandown and then hopefully kick on from there.

“He’s as good as ever — Brian is thrilled with him — and I”m hoping for a big year with him.”

Beverley’s seven-race card on Wednesday is due to begin at 2pm. The feature race is the £11,500 NL Van Truck And Car Hire Handicap (3.10pm), won last year by 100-rated sprinter Pipers Note.