Saturday tips: Dave Nevison's best bets at Cheltenham

It was only a four-runner race he won on his chasing debut, but Bucksy Des Epeires looks one to be with off just a 5lb higher mark. 

He jumped well around Ascot and although he only took it up after the last he won impressively. 

 Venetia Williams continues in excellent form and is employing Ned Fox to alleviate the extra weight, which will be handy. This race is no doubt more competitive but Bucksy Des Epeires is an exciting prospect. 

This is a seriously competitive mares’ event and the home-trained horses are going to have to work hard against a four-strong Irish challenge. 

Charlie Longsdon’s six-year-old hopefully will be the one who can do just that and in doing so make up for a couple of unlucky near misses. 

She didn’t get a clear run up Warwick’s short straight on her penultimate start and an error at the last cost her a win at Lingfield last time.  

She has been raised 4lb for that narrow defeat but has gained valuable experience and still looks well enough treated. 

Longsdon is a streaky trainer, in my opinion, and his horses are running hot in December. Hopefully, Realisation’s luck will turn. 

This race is pretty much a rerun of the Paddy Power Gold Cup and having watched that race again I am happy to go with Madara to turn the tables on those who finished in front of him. 

The five-year-old was making his debut for the Skelton yard last time and, perhaps with concern for Madara’s stamina, was held up at the back of the field and was still well behind three out. 

It was too late to win the race by then, but Harry Skelton didn’t ride him aggressively and he still stayed on very well to be a closing fourth. 

He could well come on a bundle for that run and I believe Madara is going to be a force for the yard in these Cheltenham handicaps this season. 

I am hoping that Greyval might have improvement in her after running well last time out when trying this trip for the first time. 

She was restrained out the back for most of the race at Wincanton but stayed on well to be just 2¼ lengths behind the useful Larchmont Lass. 

She runs off the same mark and has looked well handicapped for a while. The step up in trip gives her a good opportunity to win her first handicap.