Martin Dixon's Cheltenham tips for Saturday: "16-1 looks too big"

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. 

Paul Nolan is no stranger to Cheltenham handicap success and a best price of 16-1 looks too big for Conyers Hill in this year's Paddy Power Gold Cup. 

He's a contender with course experience as he finished a good sixth in the Grand Annual in March where he shaped as though he was well worth a try over this longer distance having gained plenty of positions from the home turn. 

There's no doubt this race will have been planned for a while by connections and his comeback run at Limerick in October was encouraging as he tanked into contention from off the pace, and was only beaten by a rival who was race fit plus had a progressive summer.

I'm expecting improvement off the back of that run and in what should be an attritional race, I'm hoping Sean O'Keeffe will creep him into contention on the final circuit. 

Sticking with the Skelton team may just be a good ploy when betting at Cheltenham generally, given how successfully they target the big meetings here, but with Royal Infantry, I think they have a well-handicapped performer on their hands. 

Best of the British in the 2024 Champion Bumper, he created a good impression early on as a novice hurdler last season and shaped with stacks of promise when a staying-on third in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow last time out. 

That race tends to prove strong form and is doing so again, with the runner-up and fourth both having scored since, and I think the good test this race will be should suit Royal Infantry, who proved himself effective over even further when runner-up in a Listed event at Perth last season.