Jake Price's Saturday Racing Tips at Cheltenham and Doncaster

Il Ridoto was an agonising 2nd over this course and distance in December, but he now finds himself rated 5lbs higher – so I’m keen to take him on with the unknown quantity with plenty of potential in Excello.

This 5yo has had four starts over fences to date, notably finishing 2nd in a Listed Chase at Auteuil in April when trained in his France. Over the Summer however he was sold to go into training with Nicky Henderson, for whom he has had a spin in a Novice Hurdle when 3rd, before then running a belter to beat Solo (149) in a Graduation Chase at Ascot. Although rated 146, as a 5yo he receives a 6lbs allowance – which means he effectively gets to race off 140.

Considering the way he only just does enough to win his races, Famous Bridge has only gone up 10lbs in the Handicap for two Class 2 victories at Haydock – and I think he can round off the hat-trick here as a result.

This Nicky Richards 8yo has recorded four victories over fences to date, with his latest wins at Haydock coming on Betfair Chase day off 129, before an easier victory in the Tommy Whittle off 135 followed. He’s a Horse who still looks ahead of the Handicapper to me as he was only put up 4lbs, and in a race where there is often a gruelling finish, his tenacity should come to the fore.

I’m really looking forward to seeing Persian Time go up in trip for the first time in his short chasing career to date on Trials Day, and he looks very well treated off a Handicap mark of 133.

Another Nicky Henderson youngster, this 6yo was 2nd behind subsequent Grade 2 winner Djelo (149) on his Chase debut at Newbury, before then going to Ascot in December and staying on strongly to beat another Grade 2 winner in Homme Public (139) by 3.25 lengths. Both of those victories came over 2m however, so stepping back up in trip to 2m4½f here can unlock plenty of further improvement.