Dave Nevison top tips: my best bets for Cheltenham on Friday

We have a Paul Nicholls improver as strong favourite here in Afadil, who has had the seemingly obligatory wind operation over the summer plus will have the services of - Freddie Gingell.

I came very close to tipping Afadil, who won at the Scottish Grand National meeting when we last saw him, and I would not put anyone off supporting him.

However, with bookmakers offering extra places, I’m siding with something less obvious in the shape of Coolnaugh Haze to grab a place at decent odds. James Owen has his yard in good form and has had three winners from his last ten runners including one ridden by Friday’s rider Jamie Gambin (his first winner under Rules).

Coolnaugh Haze has seemingly been improved a little since moving to this yard from Philip Hobbs and has dropped back down the handicap a little since his Worcester win. He might not have the upside of some in this race but is fit and well and his young rider takes off 10lb in a competitive event.

Ben Pauling has two in this with chances, but Mole Court looks a real improver and I am guessing he has been put by for this following a hat-trick in low grade summer jumping events.

Mole Court has been transformed since being equipped with cheekpieces and has enjoyed himself jumping from the front and will no doubt be positively ridden here.

He had no problem stepped up to 2¾ miles last time out and I think it is very likely he will stay today’s extended 3m1f trip on good to soft ground. Top class amateur Jack Andrews has been booked and hopefully Mole Court will have been freshened up by a short break.

Looks as though he may have been well named, having won three of his five races last season, the last two of which were under the excellent Patrick Wadge.

Serious Operator seemed to improve for the application of the tongue strap and having been highly tried on his penultimate start he won a decent handicap at Ayr after being very well backed.

He was raised only 2lb for that win, possibly because he won at the main expense of a 13-year-old, but three next-time-out winners came from that seven-runner race and I think the form could be underestimated.

Moreover, the fact Lucinda Russell is sending him to Cheltenham at this stage of his career is interesting given the yard increasingly needs to be taken seriously.