Paddy's Pick 5: free tips for Saturday's £25,000 game

This race is full of youngsters who are yet to achieve their full potential, including WALKING ON AIR who created a huge impression on his hurdling debut in January and, with a rating of 132, it would be a surprise if he isn’t ahead of the handicapper, especially as he is held in high regard by Nicky Henderson.

The same can be said for Dan Skelton’s West Balboa who, after cruising to success on her hurdling debut, chased home Stage Star in the Challow Hurdle over this course and distance, which is strong form, although it is a slight concern we haven’t seen her since.

Peking Rose produced an improved performance on his return to action, and first outing since a wind op, when winning a class 2 handicap at Aintree and has the benefit of a recent run. He won’t have to improve much to go close off a 3lb higher rating here and has to be feared.

Of the others, Grade One winner Porticello, who finished sixth in the Triumph Hurdle on his final start last season, is an interesting contender, but probably needs to step up again to defy a rating of 138 on his handicap debut, while the improving Lord Baddesley looks an improved performer this season and is another who you can make a case for in what looks a wide-open contest.

FIRST STREET produced some strong form in top handicaps last season and although another career best will be needed to carry 12st to victory here, he has been aimed at this race, which his trainer has a brilliant record in, and he should have more to offer this season given this will be just his eighth outing over hurdles.

The five-year-old finished third in the Betfair Hurdle over course and distance last season and ground conditions will be in his favour. The only slight concern is that he lacks a recent run but won after a 99-day break last season, and Nicky Henderson’s past four winners of this race were all making their seasonal debuts.

Gary Moore’s Teddy Blue finished second at Grade Two level last season, and bolted up at Fontwell when last seen, so looks a danger on his handicap debut off a rating 129.

The lightly-raced Pikar ran in two Grade Two contests last season, so is clearly held in relatively high regard by connections, and makes his handicap debut off an attractive mark of 127, so I wouldn’t put you off siding with him, but it is First Street who gets the vote.

Given how wide-open this contest looks, it is no surprise nine horses are now vying for favouritism! I backed FIDDLERONTHEROOF and Remastered ante-post for the Coral Gold Cup, but we can only choose one to side with in this competition, and the former looks to hold strong claims of going one better than last year.

He’s 5lb higher this year, but clearly relishes this course and distance and enjoyed an ideal prep for this race with a spin over hurdles at Kempton. This is sure to have been his target for some time, and this former Grade One-winning hurdler, who finished fifth in the Grand National on his final start last season, could yet have more to offer over the larger obstacles.

Given how well he was travelling when falling four out, Remastered would have been involved in the finish of this race last year and won the same race he finished third in ahead of his outing in this contest 12 months ago on his return to action. He races off a 4lb lower rating on Saturday and, granted a clear round, he has an obvious chance of gaining compensation on Saturday.

Has anyone got a pin I can borrow? This 20-runner handicap is a tricky puzzle to solve, but a chance is taken on BANADA BRIDGE who caught the eye at Gowran Park in October and had no problem handling soft ground when second at Fairyhouse last time out.

That was an improved effort from Denise Foster’s mare who races off the same rating here and should be in the mix once more, especially as she remains lightly raced over hurdles and ought to have more to offer.

AMARILLO SKY found Graded company a shade too competitive on his final two outings last season after he scored over course and distance but landed a similar contest to this at Cheltenham’s November meeting on his seasonal return, and a 4lb rise for that victory looks fair, especially as he should strip fitter for the outing.

A repeat of that performance should see him go close again, at least, and Joe Tizzard’s charge looks the safest option here.

Only Money took his form to a new level when winning his first two starts this season, but his progress came to a halt stepping up in grade on his latest outing, and this looks a stronger contest. That said, a slow pace and soft ground were against him at Aintree, and he raced keenly throughout, so is probably worth another chance at a higher level.