The team look at the live action from ITV Racing on Saturday.
William Hill Each Way Extra Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (Class 3) – Cheltenham (1.10)
Newton Tornado was consistent over hurdles last season and deservedly got off the mark at Ffos Las when last seen. It's interesting that connections kept him away from handicap company over the smaller obstacles as he looks like the type to do better over fences, while he finished a good second on his sole outing at this track. He should relish this test on his chasing debut and might be well-treated off 121.
Skill Step Group Handicap (Class 2) – Doncaster (1.30)
Rosario has been knocking hard on the door this season and deserves a change of luck. He's been unlucky on more than one occasion in recent starts and with a good recent second at Ascot on soft ground under his belt, Roger Teal's charge might return to winning ways in his newly fitted visor.
Play William Hill's Final One Standing Novices' Hurdle (Class 2) – Cheltenham (1.45)
Conman John was in need over every yard of the two-mile five-furlong trip when making a winning hurdling debut at Kelso. He ought to appreciate going up to three miles on a course like Cheltenham, while the form of his impressive point-to-point success has been franked by the second, Daydream Nation, winning a Gowran maiden hurdle by sixteen lengths recently.
William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes (Group 1) – Doncaster (2.05)
Aidan O'Brien has dominated the last Group 1 of the British flat season, and he looks set to win it once more. He holds all the aces with the top three in the betting but I'm going to side with the current second-favourite Hawk Mountain, who seemed to glide through testing conditions when galloping on to a three and a quarter length success in the Beresford Stakes at the Curragh four weeks ago. He should have improved both physically and mentally again and can take another step forward.
William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase (Class 2) – Cheltenham (2.20)
The Short Go was a good second in this last year and despite things not entirely going to plan after that, he did finish a decent fifth in the Ultima which can be upgraded given he didn't jump with any fluency. He represents an Irish stable that have won the last two renewals of this contest and looks sure to be primed for his reappearance.
William Hill Prospect Stakes (Listed) – Doncaster (2.40)
Spanish Waltz's action looks like being suited to testing conditions and he arrives with bundles of potential on just his third start. He still looked very raw and green when
getting off the mark at Pontefract last time out, but Ralph Beckett's charge was nicely on top crossing the lines and this son of Lope Y Fernandez should have improved plenty for the experience. He can take the step up to Listed level in his stride.
Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) – Cheltenham (2.55)
The steadily progressive Quantum Quest has some solid form in maiden company and looks to be going the right way following back-to-back hurdling victories in 2025. Henry De Bromhead's five-year-old always looked to be doing enough out in front when scoring over this trip in first-time cheekpieces at Roscommon last time and revised mark of 127 may still well underestimate him.
BetVictor Horris Hill Stakes (Group 3) – Newbury (3.10)
Stellar Sunrise is yet to meet any real kind of give in the ground but he's a hardy sort that looks to be progressing quickly and it wouldn't be at all surprising if he handled it. The Andrew Balding-trained juvenile ran out a commanding winner of a competitive nursery at York's Ebor meeting in August, and he could take the step up to Group 3 company, having missed his intended assignment in the Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket last time due to a cut leg.
Masterson Holdings Hurdle (Class 2) – Cheltenham (3.30)
Give It To Me Oj has been in fine form on the level following back-to-back wins at Epsom last month and will be fit as they come for his return to hurdling. The Gary and Josh Moore-trained son of Time Test beat some useful horses in the Novices' Championship Final Handicap Hurdle at Sandown on his last run of the season and could have more to offer this season.
BetVictor St Simon Stakes (Group 3) – Newbury (3.45)
Ralph Beckett looks for a hat-trick in this contest having landed the last two renewals with Max Vega. He saddles the interesting Starzintheireyes, who was well-backed ahead of his belated reappearance in woeful conditions in Group 3 company at Goodwood earlier in the season. He shaped nicely back in seventh without really landing a blow on that occasion and this Group 3-winning two-year-old could be set to take a step forward for a yard that is ending the season well.
William Hill Extra Places With BOG 'Chasing Excellence' Novices' Chase (Class 2) – Cheltenham (4.05)
Leave Of Absence has something to find on the official figures but he remains unexposed as a staying chaser. He galloped on well to make all the running in a novices' handicap chase at Newbury when last seen 218 days ago, shaping as though he would do better when going up further in trip this season. A habitual front-runner, he might dominate this from the off for a trainer who has enjoyed a fine recent run.
