Cheltenham Races: Best betting tips for the live ITV racing at Cheltenham on Saturday

IF you had any doubt that it's time to don the tweed and get another log on the fire, then the return of Cheltenham puts an end to that.

The two-day Showcase Meeting concludes on Saturday and the ITV team are in town. We take a look at the feature races.

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Race 1 – 2.05 Masterson Holdings Hurdle

A cracking four-year-old hurdle to kick things off, and they should go a strong pace here.

Allmankind, third in the Triumph when last sighted, is a free-goer who likes to get on with things, as is the promising Botox Has. Both horses are extremely talented and will have good seasons.

Similar comments apply to Nordano, who ran a decent field into the ground at Ascot over 2m3f back in February.

The lightly-raced Strategem, another with bundles of potential, made all to win at Kelso last time, so if those four crack on it could set it up for a closer.

So I'm tempted to have a play on Irish raider ANNA BUNINA, the ride of Richard Johnson who was a clear second in a hot Listowel handicap last time.

She looks set to get her preferred ground conditions, she has the benefit of a recent run and she gets weight all round.

SELECTION: Anna Bunina

Race 2 – 2.40 Best Odds At Matchbook Novices' Chase

Southfield Stone sets a good standard on his fine second in the Pendil at Kempton in February.

He's had a wind op since then and he returns with Paul Nicholls' team in red-hot form.

The pick of his form has come when going right-handed, however. That may be down to circumstance, but he has only gone left-handed twice in his career and been well-held both times.

Preference is for PILEON, who was an excellent jumper over hurdles and always appealed as the type to make up into a smart chaser.

He was an excellent second in the Martin Pipe here in March and, after a mini cold streak, it was encouraging to see Philip Hobbs' horses running well at Exeter earlier this week.

The talented Not That Fuisse scored easily at Perth and he hasn't won as many races as he perhaps should have. This is tougher but he has fitness on his side and he commands respect.

Coole Cody is no mug, but he needs to up his game a touch to trouble these.

SELECTION: Pileon

Race 3 – 3.15 Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle

I'D BETTER GO NOW is a stayer firmly on the upgrade.

Dan Skelton's seven-year-old ended last season with an easy win at Doncaster and picked up where he left off at Perth 31 days ago.

He gets in off a featherweight here and, on the evidence of his last two wins, he is better than a mark of 126. The ground has come right for him, too.

Neville's Cross is on a similarly upward trajectory for the Tom Lacey team and he won by a street at Hereford. He is feared.

But the biggest threat may come from Tobefair, who has been a magnificent servant for trainer Debra Hamer and was an excellent sixth in the Stayers' Hurdle at the Festival.

Top claimer Jack Tudor takes off a valuable 5lb and he has a big chance dropped in grade.

Lock's Corner has been on a roll over fences and should be fine now stepped up to 3m. But he is 20lb higher than his last win over timber.

Honest Vic, Ballon Onabudget and Flinck are also shortlisted in a fiercely competitive heat.

SELECTION: I'd Better Go Now

Race 4 – 3.50 Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap Chase

Dear old Cogry has a tremendous record in this race, with form figures of F123 over the last four seasons.

He goes well fresh and is sure to run his usual gutsy race for the Twiston-Davies stable.

The 2019 Ryanair hero Frodon has to concede lumps of weight on his seasonal reappearance.

It goes without saying he is the class horse in the field, but the combination of a big weight over this trip on his first outing of the season means this is a big ask.

The progressive Manofthemountain won with something to spare at Bangor and he is worth a second look off his low weight.

This isn't a bet without risks attached, but I'm tempted by the quirky WEST APPROACH here.

He travelled like a dream (as always) when second in this race 12 months ago, and he was a hugely impressive winner around here at the November meeting.

You can never be 100% sure how much he's going to find off the bridle, but he's not on a bad mark and they should go a good clip here which could set things up for him to attack from off the pace.

At slightly longer odds, Captain Chaos isn't without a chance, but he would ideally prefer a bit more rain.

EACH-WAY SELECTION: West Approach

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