Dave Nevison top tips: best bets for Cheltenham on Saturday

A feature of Cheltenham’s return have been the massive fields declared for the handicaps.

It will not be easy for punters on Saturday but hopefully the trio below will more than hold their own.

1.15 Cheltenham: Before Midnight

Before Midnight has slipped 9lb below his last winning mark and is a full 13lb lower than when going close at Doncaster at the start of last year.

His four runs last year hinted at a decline but he has joined Fergal O’Brien this season and I’m sure his new trainer will have been satisfied with his new recruit’s encouraging fourth in a handicap hurdle at Chepstow a fortnight ago.

That should have teed up Before Midnight nicely for this switch back to cxhasing, and O’Brien has certainly got himself a well-handicapped horse if finding the key to him.

Promising 7lb claiming amateur Ben Sutton is on board, easing Before Midnight’s burden further. All in all, he is potentially thrown in here.

2.25 Cheltenham: Lord Accord

Lord Accord won this race last year and, just 1lb higher, has a good chance of winning it again.

After his win last year, he was upgraded and campaigned in Grade One handicaps and non-handicap events but he just wasn’t up to it. By contrast, this is a Class 2 level race and he is well proven in this grade.

Lord Accord has been in winning form over fences in the autumn for the past two seasons and then spent the post new year season struggling but dropping back down the handicap.

He reappeared recently over hurdles and didn’t run too badly under considerate handling. Richie McLernon was on board for the victory 12 months ago and Neil Mulholland had a big-priced winner at Exeter on Thursday, so the yard may be hitting form.

3.00 Cheltenham: Bashful Boy

David Pipe has done well with this seven-year-old under both codes recently, although his progress has not been without a couple of bumps along the way.

He disappointed in a trial for the Cesarewitch on his penultimate Flat start but then was an excellent staying on fourth at 100/1 in the main event two weeks later.

He had a couple of falls over Jumps in the spring but then had a confidence boosting win at Newton Abbott over the summer. He had no chance of showing he was up to winning off this mark when getting badly hampered at Fontwell in late August and I think there is a good chance he can improve on his hurdles mark of 125.

This will be the longest distance he has tackled over hurdles but he certainly showed he appreciated a stamina test at Newmarket last time out. Pipe’s stable jockey Jack Tudor has already scored on him - at Newton Abbott in July - and resumes the partnership.