Arise, Sir Galahad

Cheltenham stages its first meeting of the season on Friday and Sir Galahad can take a starring role in the Grade Two Oddschecker Novices' Hurdle.

His trainer Olly Murphy has been in quite brilliant form for the last two weeks and Sir Galahad should certainly be fit to do himself justice having finished second at Market Rasen last month.

In fact he could well have won that day were it not for a couple of costly jumping errors - something Murphy is sure to have been working on in the interim.

Winner of four of his six starts, Sir Galahad can put his experience to good use against some potentially classier, but less battle-hardened types.

Murphy also runs Alnilam in the Holland Cooper 'Chasing Excellence' Novices' Chase but preference is for Country Mile, who can reverse recent form.

The pair were separated by 3.5-lengths at Uttoxeter racing off level weights but Country Mile was not fluent at an obstacle or two, so perhaps he could have got closer with a clear round.

Dan Skelton's charge is in receipt of 5lb this time and can take a step forward for that.

Henry de Bromhead sends Jasko Des Dames for the squareintheair.com Handicap Chase and the hint should be taken.

The six-year-old was certainly not disgraced in finishing fifth behind Jazzy Matty in the Grand Annual at the Festival in March and only just failed to concede nearly a stone to Bythesametoken on his most recent start.

That was his first run since a disappointing Punchestown spin in the spring and should have set the tone for a decent campaign.

Rising Power can make it three from three in the William Hill Extra Places With B.O.G Nursery Handicap at Doncaster.

A narrow winner on debut at Newmarket in May, he bypassed a possible Royal Ascot option in favour of a lower-key novice contest at Sandown, winning in decent style ahead of three subsequent scorers.

Testing ground would be a question mark, but Charlie Appleby's runner looks to be on a fair mark of 90.

Conversely, Fine Interview is proven on soft ground and might take some beating in the William Hill Each Way Extra Handicap after hitting the mark at Pontefract earlier this month.

Glenfinnan ran an excellent race in Ireland when last seen and could enjoy his moment in the spotlight in Newbury's Saturday Super Boost At BetVictor Handicap. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings on Friday. Here are the tips.

NEWBURY: Race 1: 14.06 Trapper John, Race 2: 14.41 Needle Match, Race 3: 15.16 Euston Hall, Race 4: 15.51 Forest Gate, Race 5: 16.26 Day Of Grace, Race 6: 17.01 Qarreeb, Race 7: 17.35 Glenfinnan, Race 8: 18.10 Knebworth.

CHELTENHAM: Race 1: 14.15 Montecam, Race 2: 14.50 Country Mile, Race 3: 15.25 Leloopa, Race 4: 16.00 SIR GALAHAD (NAP), Race 5: 16.35 Jasko Des Dames, Race 6: 17.10 Percy Shelley, Race 7: 17.45 Kelce.

DONCASTER: Race 1: 14.33 Fine Interview, Race 2: 15.08 Infraad, Race 3: 15.43 Venetian Sky, Race 4: 16.18 First Ambition, Race 5: 16.53 Rising Power, Race 6: 17.28 Amayretto, Race 7: 18.03 Ghost Story.

SOUTHWELL: Race 1: 17.15 Concert, Race 2: 17.50 Hoyam Laih, Race 3: 18.20 Start Me Up, Race 4: 18.55 Accrual, Race 5: 19.30 Hickton, Race 6: 20.00 Trusty Scout, Race 7: 20.30 Tootsie, Race 8: 21.00 Ziggy's Angel, Race 9: 21.30 My Mate Beattie.

ALL TO COME: Country Mile and Sir Galahad (Cheltenham, Races 2 and 4).