Saturday tips: Harry Allwood's two ante-post selections

Race: (3.35, Newbury).

Best odds: 10-1 (general).

As ever with ante-post bets during the Jumps season, an educated guess is required as to what the ground conditions will be, and it is wise to think there could be some good in the going description at Newbury on Saturday as the ground is soft, at the time of writing (Tuesday), with minimal rain forecast. It is also worth noting that fresh ground will be used on Saturday. 

One contender in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle who should be suited by better ground is Favour And Fortune and there are plenty of reasons to believe he is the one to side with in the £155,000 contest. 

It might seem strange to suggest drying ground will suit given he produced strong form on soft and heavy ground last season, but Alan King has always said that his action indicates good ground would suit best, and he relished spring ground (admittedly, it was described as ‘soft’) when showing a brilliant attitude to win a strong renewal of the Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle on his final start last season off a rating of 138.

He fared with plenty of credit when beaten less than ten lengths in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle prior to that, an effort which is worth upgrading given he made a bad mistake at the first. 

His other form as a novice looks strong, too, as he was narrowly beaten by Fun Fun Fun when conceding 10lb to that rival at Exeter plus finished second behind Jango Baie in the William Hill Formby Novices' Hurdle when pulling clear of some useful rivals. 

Based on those efforts, there is still a chance he could develop into a Graded performer this season, and while he was beaten 30 lengths on his belated return at Ascot in December, King did stress beforehand that Favour And Fortune would need the outing having suffered a setback at the start of the season. 

That certainly appeared to be the case as he travelled with his usual zest before the lack of race fitness took its toll, and he will surely strip much fitter now plus has been lowered a pound since.

The selection is just 2lb above his last winning mark and with only ten starts under his belt, he should have more to offer, especially as King holds this seven-year-old in high regard. 

This contest has also been the plan for a while, and a flat, left-handed track clearly suits. He's also attracted some support in recent weeks, and ticks plenty of boxes here at a general 10-1.

Race: (1.50, Newbury).

Best odds: 6-1 (Bet365), 5-1 (general).

Philip Hobbs & Johnson White are enjoying a hugely successful season and Keable, who seeks a hat-trick here, is another from the in-form yard who has progressed rapidly this season.

The eight-year-old failed to record a victory from his first eight starts, but appeared a slow burner, and attracted strong support prior to bolting up at Exeter in January where he looked miles ahead of the handicapper. 

He again travelled powerfully en route to success in a 0-120 contest at this venue last time out, a race which eventually turned into a real test of stamina and was value for more than the winning margin suggests there given he had the field strung out a long way from home. 

A rating of 124 stepping up in grade to a 0-135 contest will demand more, but it is unlikely he has reached the ceiling of his ability and is a staying hurdler to keep onside this season.

The 6-1 available looks more than fair and, provided he is declared on Thursday morning (he does hold an entry at Exeter on Sunday as well) then I expect him to be sent off shorter, so he’s worth siding with.