Martin Dixon: my best bets for Cheltenham on Wednesday

I've been very confident about Ballyburn for this race ever since the positive weather forecasts became apparent and although he's trimmed into a general Evens, I'll be a bit surprised and disappointed if his class and relative speed doesn't see him come home ahead of this field under the prevailing conditions.

He's become more manageable and settled in his races this season and I was left with the firm impression as he powered away from Croke Park at Leopardstown that he's now ready to step up to staying distances, which of course he is bred for.

I will also back Gorgeous Tom at double-figure odds because I view him as the main danger with expected improvement stepping up to 3m and I'll also put the pair in a reverse forecast. 

The last time Jipcot ran over an intermediate trip he stayed on strongly to win at Newbury in December, ahead of progressive rivals in second/third, and he blatantly failed to stay over 3m at Haydock on his most recent start.

He'll be ridden cold, tactics I'd favour in this race as they often get racing a long way from home, and at as big as 25/1 I'll have a small each way bet on him in what is undoubtedly one of the most competitive handicaps of the meeting. 

I'll take two against the field in the Grand Annual, both at 20-1 plus at the time of writing.

Traprain Law I think is seen to best advantage when ridden positively over 2m and I'm hoping a return to that combination of trip/tactics sees him back to his best. He shaped encouragingly at Musselburgh last time and has edged down to a very fair mark on his best performances. 

General Medrano has had a highly progressive season and just made his headway too early into a hot pace at Doncaster last time. He's a strong traveller and an assured jumper and would be one who'd benefit if the leaders went a bit too fast.