Five horses to follow at Cheltenham on Saturday

Best odds: 9-1.

Tipster: Johnny Ward.

Best odds: 13-2.

Tipster: Alex Scott.

Best odds: 14-1 (Each-way)

Tipster: Martin Dixon.

A high percentage of the field in this 18-runner handicap are returning from layoffs and plenty will surely need the run to put them cherry ripe, so I like the fact that the experienced Three Card Brag comes into this with an excellent recent run under his belt. 

I'd argue that second in the Kerry National last month was a career-best effort and it's already been franked by the third, French Dynamite, coming out to win the Munster National easily last week.

He's an assured jumper nowadays and, at double-figure prices, he makes plenty of appeal each-way, with some bookmakers offering five places. 

Tipster: Dave Nevison.

Best odds: 22-1.

Willie Mullins sends only one runner over for this meeting, and I have no doubt Chart Topper will go well in this, as will Gordon Elliott’s contender, Winning Smut. 

An Irish victory looks likely, but I am chancing Moon D’Orange to go well (at the 22-1 on offer) from a slightly less well-known yard.  John McConnell’s runners always need to be respected when sent over here, and the case for this runner is based on him reverting to hurdles on a much lower mark than he has reached over fences. 

He has had two runs over hurdles in Ireland this term, and they appeared to be warm-up efforts for this (and the Pertemps Final in March), and I expect an improved performance now. 

He finished third here in a Grade Two as a novice hurdler and, on that evidence, he appears nicely treated, especially with his rider able to claim his 3lb allowance. 

Tipster: Alex Scott.

Best odds: 7-1.