Bellator set to strike; RACING: TOMORROW'S CARDS Paul Allen's nap: Wontcostalotbut (3.40 Ascot).

Class chaser can push his Arkle claims

BELLATOR can cement his Cheltenham claims with victory in the P.M.L. Lightning Novices' Chase at Ascot tomorrow.

The Venetia Williams-trained seven-year-old has recently been backed down to 6-1 for the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Festival on the strength of two easy wins gained over fences so far and has the March 14 contest as his main target.

On his chasing debut at Newton Abbot in November the seven-year-old jumped like an old hand. Always prominent he led four out and drew readily clear to score, eased down, by two lengths from Gladiateur IV.

Bellator was even more impressive next time at Haydock, where he coped well with the stiff fences, coming home 14 lengths clear of Cenkos with subsequent Grade Two winner Donnybrook 12 lengths back in third.

Bellator, who was not far off top-class over hurdles, has taken to fences extremely well and, although facing his toughest test of the season, he is a confident selection to maintain his winning run tomorrow.

Country Beau, who seems to have lost his way over fences, can regain the winning thread over timber in the Rosling King Hurdle over three miles.

Jeff King's eight-year-old tackled the trip for the first time in a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham last month and gave a good account of himself to finish a four-length second to Effectual with the third, Forest Ivory, 19 lengths away. Obviously suited by the longer trip, Country Beau can open his account for the term in the afternoon's Showcase Handicap.

Kathryn's Pet stands out as the day's best bet in the Glendale Engineering Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso.

Mary Reveley's mare has not been seen out since finishing a creditable fourth behind Marigliano at Huntingdon in November but has recently been reported in good form by her shrewd trainer.

Kathryn's Pet, who won three times last season, appears reasonably-treated on her best form - easily beating Samanid by two lengths at Doncaster in January - and can get the better of tomorrow's rivals.

Mrs Reveley, leading trainer at the Borders course, can enjoy a profitable afternoon by landing two more races with Tom's River in the Besom Inn Handicap Chase and October Mist in the European Breeders' Fund 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle.

Tom's River has taken time to learn the ropes but at the age of eight, is beginning to progress over fences. He stayed on well to score at Catterick on his latest start and has scope for further improvement.

October Mist has also won his last two starts at Market Rasen and Wetherby in the manner of an improving performer and looks too good for the opposition once again.