Saturday tips: Martin Dixon's three best bets

Best odds: 11-1 (each-way).

'Been there and done it before' is a common theme with lots of big Cheltenham handicap winners over the years, and that's certainly the case with Il Ridoto who has vast course experience, including a win in this corresponding race in 2023. More recently, he landed the Paddy Power Gold Cup in November, and while he was only sixth here the following month, I was left with the firm impression that race didn't get to the bottom of him.

Reunited with Freddie Gingell, I fancy him strongly each-way in a race that, to my mind, isn't as competitive as you might expect a valuable Saturday handicap to be. He's as big as 11-1 with most firms offering four places. 

Best odds: 5-4.

Neil King looks to have found the ideal opportunity for to open his account over obstacles in this maiden hurdle that looks appreciably weaker than the one he finished a good third in last time. 

He caught my eye in a bumper at Cheltenham in October, blowing up late but mixing it with other good prospects for a long way, and his most recent effort was given a considerable boost when George's Lad - who finished just ahead of him at Huntingdon last time - won on the bridle at Doncaster on Friday. 

Best odds: 8-1 (each-way).

Snipe isn't one of the big names in the Skelton yard, but this is a big prize that could suit him perfectly. A strong-travelling, hold-up horse, I think he's been crying out to contest a strongly run race at a galloping track on decent ground, and that's exactly what he gets here.

He's run very well over C&D before and his form this season is strong, including when bumping into subsequent Welsh National winner Val Dancer at Carlisle last time.