Five horses to follow on Saturday from our experts

Tipster: Andy Stephens.

Best odds: 14-1.

The oldest horse in action at Newbury on Saturday, 13-year-old Sam Brown, looks overpriced at a general 14-1 to make the frame, at least, in the Denman Chase after his staying-on fourth to Shishkin in last year’s edition.

Unlike several of the opposition, he is sure to get every yard of the trip and he arrives in form, having made a valiant effort to concede 23lb to the rejuvenated Copperhead at Market Rasen last time, having been a keeping-on third behind The Real Whacker and Bravemansgame in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in November. 

Bravemansgame, the general 2-1 favourite here, finished little more than a length ahead of Sam Brown in the Charlie Hall and took another backward step when well beaten in the King George last time. He is now tried in a first-time tongue-tie, having had three wind operations, which rings more alarm bells. 

His stablemate, Hitman, would probably decline to beat his own shadow, while Djelo, Le Patron and Fugitif must all prove their stamina, with none none of the trio crying out for 3m (Djelo was also entered in the 2m Game Spirit at the five-day stage and Fugitif is also entered for a 2m 4f race at Warwick).

Ga Law, to a lesser extent, must also prove his staying power, and he was well below his best when last in action a couple of months ago. Meanwhile, Eldorado Allen has not got his head in front since landing this race three years ago and he was well adrift of Sam Brown last time, plus is 4lb worse off.

Sam Brown has his own foibles – he can jump scruffily, hit flat spots and get behind – but he would be worse off at the weights with all bar Bravemansgame and Djelo if this were a handicap, and the all-action Sam Twiston-Davies being snapped up to ride is a big positive.

Tipster: Martin Dixon.

Best odds: 7-1.

I felt some of the spark was back in Smarty Wild at Market Rasen last time on his second run back from a long absence. He travelled well into contention leaving the back straight and ultimately didn't get home over a testing three miles.

I'm hopeful he can get closer to his very best form dropped back to an intermediate trip here. He's as low in the weights as he's ever been over fences and perhaps this race will be a bigger target for him than some of the opposition who could have Spring targets. 

Tipster: Sam Turner.

Best odds: 11-4.

He finished second behind Don Hollow last time out when wearing cheekpieces for the first time and while he has been raised 4lb for that performance, that might not be enough to stop him from running a very prominent race in this contest.

Tipster: Harry Allwood.

Best odds: 9-1 (advised ante-post at 10-1).

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One contender in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle who should be suited by better ground than he encountered last time 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.

Tipster: Dave Nevison.

Best odds: 6-1.

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Lewis Saunders has already won twice on this gelding this season and his 7lb claim will come in very handy once more. 

Act Of Authority was a good fourth at Aintree on his latest start and the first and third have already won again since, so the form looks strong. 

The seven-year-old is off the same mark here and is a horse with a winning habit. I fancy him to go well again here and doubt whether a furlong further than he has been before will disadvantage him.