Cheltenham tips for Saturday from Dave Nevison: Rely on Romain at 16-1

I was crestfallen when this horse unseated his rider three out at Newbury last time. I was on at double-figure prices in an extra place race and, to my mind, certain of the place money and still in with a chance of a big winner.

Anyway, I am just about over it, but will be even happier if he can make amends here and boost funds before I start to get stuck into the Cheltenham card.

Off the same mark and over a similar course to Newbury I certainly don’t think this race is any more difficult and he is still on my list of horses to be with for his next few runs.

Looks a safe option in a race which, though competitive, has few runners who have a compelling bet profile.

The form of his close second last time has already been boosted by the winner, Amoola Gold, and as this horse has not been raised as much he still looks well-in.

He can be expected to come on for that first run this season and given that he has never been out of the first two in four runs over fences in Britain, he looks a rock-solid favourite for a yard in strong form.

There is always a plan with Dan Skelton’s imports and it looks highly possible this is his first major target since joining the yard from Paul Nicholls.

He hasn’t had a good record around Cheltenham in the past and hopefully Skelton will have focussed on his jumping, as if he has ironed out some of those creases then he has a seriously well-handicapped horse on his hands.

He is already back below his last winning mark, though the handicapper clearly knew the game and did not drop him for his latest effort over a trip too short.

I don’t believe he needs to drop any further and his running style is perfect for picking up the pieces late on in a race such as this. I am happy to back him to get into one of the places at the very least.

Has done well in mares’ races in the North and her excellent trainer has found a good race for her first journey southwards and could well bring this prize back.

Her jockey, Joe Colliver, has steered Sam Spinner from the front around here to run some excellent races and hopefully will adopt the same tactics here and this time get the first win at Cheltenham that he deserves.

Miah Grace is a model of consistency and looks to have untapped stamina reserves, so she will relish the Cheltenham test. I believe we will at the very least get a good run for our money.