Martin Dixon's Saturday tips: four bets at Newbury and Newcastle

Gaelic Rover made a bright start to his rules career when third at Ayr this month, and I thought immediately afterwards that he could be worth backing to win a similar event next time. 

He was a faller in both his starts in Irish points, but was in the process of being competitive before departing on each occasion, and his jumping was fine at Ayr where he moved up to look threatening at the second last before tiring after the final flight, shaping as though the outing was needed, to some extent. 

I think that form is strong as he was beaten only by two rivals that had won bumpers, and it's already started to work out well, with the fourth home (Moon Phases) going close in a handicap chase next time out, and the sixth (Highland Fashion) subsequently winning a handicap hurdle.

Le Beau Madrik is initially priced as favourite for the Skelton's, but his bumper form is nothing flash, and I think he's more of a staying type, whilst Ballyeaston, who is also a leading fancy, didn't totally convince with his jumping on his hurdling debut. 

At a best-priced 5-1, at the time of writing, Gaelic Rover looks good value. 

With eleven winners in November before racing started on Friday, Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith's yard have been in blistering form, and Grande Geste was unlucky to bump into one in The Jukebox Kid on his chasing debut at Carlisle four weeks ago. 

They went a swinging gallop in that contest and clocked a fast time, with Grande Geste cutting out most of the running, his efficient jumping underlined by a RaceiQ jump index rating of 7.8, which is higher than any figure he achieved over hurdles. 

The signs from that suggest he's going to be progressive over fences this season and I think a 2lb rise in the weights most likely underestimates how good a performance it was last time. He's a strong stayer, and I expect the demands of Newcastle's chase track to really play to his strengths. 

Eyed was a revelation upon joining Hughie Morrison last season, improving 25lb in the ratings through an exceptionally consistent campaign, and the signs from an encouraging recent return over hurdles are that he can continue to progress this term. 

I think that return at Kempton was only ever likely to be a pipe opener, with this race surely a bigger target, but he kept on nicely to finish second to the prolific Idy Wood, and all of his chase form last season is very solid, including when second to Masaccio at Ayr in April. 

He's genuine, jumps well and stays well, and those attributes will surely stand him in good stead in this race that looks set to be run at a searching gallop, with likes of Brave Kingdom and Leader In The Park in opposition. 

He's 8-1, at the time of writing, with several firms offering four places and 1/5 odds. 

Zanndabad, in theory, sets a good standard for this novice contest after easily winning a handicap at Sedgefield last time off a rating of 123, but that was an uncompetitive four-runner race, and he's a favourite I'm happy to take on at a shortish price given he has made mistakes and took ten tries to get off the mark in this sphere. 

Just Golden should progress, and definitely has a chance, but Out Of The Woods makes obvious appeal at early odds of 5-1. A bumper winner on debut last season, Out of The Woods made a successful start over hurdles at Hexham and impressed with how he went through that race before storming clear on the run-in, finishing with plenty left in the tank. 

There are some stout stayers in his family and he gives every indication this longer trip will suit even better.