Five horses to follow at Cheltenham on Saturday

Tipster: Martin Dixon.

Best odds: 14-1 (each-way).

At the general 14-1 on offer, I'm happy to back Imperial Alex to small stakes in this Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase. 

He hit a blip in form last winter, at a time when the stable were generally quiet, but has otherwise been progressive as a staying handicap chaser for the past 18 months, and I think a 3lb rise for his win at Perth in June is very fair. 

Admittedly, this will require a career-best performance, but he's a strong stayer who handles very soft ground, jumps well and has the assistance of the capable Sean O'Connor in the saddle taking off 5 lbs to offset his slight increase in the ratings. 

Tipster: Andy Stephens.

Best odds: 6-1.

The front-running Burdett Road looks overpriced at 6-1 to win on his debut over fences in the Paddy Power Arkle Challenge Trophy Trial Novices' Chase (1.40).

The James Owen-trained five-year-old was the best of these six runners over hurdles and has excelled at Cheltenham in the past, winning at this meeting for the past two years and beating all bar Golden Ace in an eventful Champion Hurdle in March. He would have given the winner more to think about that day but for being badly hampered at the final flight.

He gave 3lb and a beating to Be Aware in the Greatwood Hurdle 12 months ago, yet is a much bigger price than that rival for their rematch, even though he will lack for nothing in fitness after chasing home Rubaud in the Kempton race that horse always wins last month.

Burdett Road’s jumping over hurdles was a bit of a mixture, but it’s surely a vote of confidence in the way he has schooled at home that Owen is content to unleash him here in a Grade Two contest.

Two miles on the Old Course favours front-running chasers and Burdett Road should take some pegging back if taking to his new vocation.

Dropping back in trip seems unlikely to help July Flower, who merely won as she was entitled to on her chasing bow at Limerick, while Skelton had flirted with running Be Aware over 3m at this meeting. It did not look like he had much to spare when beating two exposed rivals on his debut over fences at Stratford, albeit he was giving them plenty of weight.

Tipster: The RaceiQ tip (Andy Stephens).

Best odds: 12-1.

Tipster: Dave Nevison.

Best odds: 13-8.

This race looks one for Dan and Harry Skelton, and I believe Supremely West is the strongest favourite in the handicaps at The November Meeting.

Supremely West finished third in a Pertemps Qualifier at Cheltenham in October, and finished three lengths ahead of market rival Long Draw plus is only a pound worse off now.

That was the first run for the yard, and the first time Harry Skelton has ridden him, so it would be a big surprise if improvement wasn’t forthcoming. 

It is also interesting that his new handler doesn’t believe the blinkers are necessary for Supreme West to show his best form, and if he does improve as expected, I think he could be a 'good thing' here. 

Tipster: Harry Allwood and Martin Dixon.

Best odds: 6-1.

Harry says: Dan Skelton revealed on racingtv.com this week that the plan is to run ROYAL INFANTRY in the Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle on Saturday, and his charge appears to hold strong claims following a pipe-opener at Chepstow in October.

Skelton said the six-year-old "took a blow that day" and "he will improve a great deal" for that outing, while it was encouraging to see him stay on again towards to finish over 2m3½f. Interestingly, Doyen Quest contested that race last year en route to an easy victory at The November Meeting.

A 2lb rise for that effort seems fair, and a rating of 138 could still underestimate Royal Infantry given he's always been billed as a "high-class horse" by connections, who opted to contest the Champion Bumper with him in 2024.

He probably hasn't quite scaled the heights expected over hurdles yet, but was a live outsider for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle after bolting up at Haydock last year, and was given a wind op after suffering a shock defeat in the Sky Bet Supreme Trial the following month.

A line can be put through his below-par effort in Grade One company following an absence next time out, and he's better judged on his effort in a strong Listed contest at Perth where he travelled powerfully into contention when chasing home Kiss Will, who looks a Graded performer.

The third, Horaces Pearl, was only beaten nine lengths in a Grade One on his previous outing, and it looked a deep race on paper plus further hints the selection remains nicely handicapped. 

He's won on soft and heavy ground, so should have no issue handling conditions, and stepping back up in trip is another positive. With the Skelton team operating at a 30 per cent strike-rate, a big run can be expected.