Five horses to follow at Cheltenham on New Year's Day

Tipster: Johnny Ward.

Best odds: 9-2.

Tipster: Dave Nevison.

Best odds: 11-4.

Even though Jubilee Express was disappointing in the Coral Welsh Grand National, I think I have seen enough in the past few weeks to encourage me to side with these Sam Thomas-trained staying chasers in their upcoming starts. 

Katate Dori is a prime example having run really well to finish sixth in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury last time out, and he stayed on throughout the last mile behind Panic Attack in that contest after being almost left at the standing start. 

He is a couple of pounds lower now, which will obviously also help his chance, but remembering his three handicap wins last season, I really don’t think his rating is an issue. 

At eight years of age, he is at his peak as a chaser, and only needs things to work out right for him in the race to strike again.

Tipster: Ross Millar.

Best odds: 4-1.

Tipster: Danny Archer.

Best odds: 4-7.

He's my banker of the day in the Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle. He absolutely bolted up at Haydock last time out on his first start for Dan Skelton, and there should be lots more to come from this improving six-year-old.

This does not look the strongest renewal of the Grade Two contest, and he makes loads of appeal.

I have seven names to note for the action on New Year's Day, and you can view them all on Racing TV's TikTok page by clicking here.

Tipster: Harry Allwood.

Best odds: 7-2 (Bet365).

It was hard not to be impressed with Ma Shantou's stylish victory in the Pertemps Qualifier at this track on his return to action in October where, according to the RaceiQ data, he gained ground at every hurdle, and recorded a Jump Index score of 8.2/10. He also clocked the quickest furlong and the best FSP (finishing speed percentage) en route to a dominant success, and it was no surprise he earned quotes for the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle afterwards.

He appeared to hold strong claims when sent off favourite for the Betfair Stayers' Handicap Hurdle on his next start, but ran below par, and no excuses emerged afterwards. 

However, Emma Lavelle's team were not firing in November, with just one winner from 45 runners, and the Marlborough handler is returning to form now having had two winners and six horses placed from her past 20 runners. 

The form of his Cheltenham win looked strong, too, as the runner-up, Electric Mason, landed the Haydock race (that Ma Shantou disappointed in) off a 4lb higher mark, and there were numerous other decent handicappers in behind. 

He remains on a 9lb higher mark, but the manner of his Cheltenham victory suggested a rating of 138 may still underestimate him, especially as he is lightly-raced over obstacles. 

The ground will be in his favour and I believe he's the one to beat if he does bounce back to form, with Harry Cobden a positive jockey booking.