Horse racing tips: Dave Nevison's best bets for Saturday

He looks a real improver in the staying ranks and, though a mark of 152 is unusually high for a first run in a handicap, it could very easily be higher.

He was only beaten three lengths by Imperial Aura at Carlisle – just about favourite for the Ryanair currently – and he easily beat the 143-rated Knight Of Dubai at this track in Grade Two company a year ago, and in conditions similar to Saturday’s over a trip short of his best.

Stepping up to three miles will suit and the application of a tongue strap for the first time might indicate why he has been absent since November. Ben Godfrey rode a treble for Anthony Honeyball recently and his boss has rewarded the excellent 5lb claimer with this big Saturday ride, in what I think is a smart move for both.

He’s been declared to run recently only to miss out due to the weather, but hopefully he doesn’t suffer the same fate here as I believe he’s poised to win a handicap soon for an in-form stable.

He’s been running himself back into shape, getting some relief from the handicapper and will be bang on 10-0 in this race. The light weight will surely count in today’s conditions.

His case is made stronger by the booking of Peter Kavanagh, who claims 10lbs riding for his boss Donald McCain. Although the jockey has not ridden a winner under Rules - either here or in Ireland - it will definitely not be long. As I mentioned in a previous column, he has been second on runners at massive prices from few rides and came closest when denied a short-head by the high-class Proschema in a jumpers' bumper this week.

He followed up a gallant third in the Welsh National last year with a convincing win in this race, where conditions always favour him. He ran another excellent race at Chepstow last time, getting closer off a 4lb higher mark, and I see little reason why he can’t repeat a compensatory win again here.

Yala Enki cannot really win the big handicaps as the assessor has known all about him for a long time now, while he is so consistent that he gets no respite whatsoever. There are very few races in the programme that fit his profile, but this marathon chase is spot on for him and he can make all under Bryony Frost once more.

He looks a straightforward selection after his good run in the Lanzarote last time out, and if any of these veteran hurdlers have been hiding anything they have been doing a good job of it!

He is fully exposed so is in the right race, but he is consistent and in very good form. For a big horse, he acts surprisingly well on a tight track like this. Angus Cheleda has done this column favours recently and takes over from another excellent claimer in Kevin Brogan.