Imperial to take December gold

It may seem folly going against Dan Skelton in a big race on a Saturday but Imperial Saint looks better value in the Support The Hunt Family Fund December Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Skelton has mopped up in the feature races in recent weeks building up a very healthy lead at the top of the championship, although Willie Mullins has yet to really get involved.

Skelton won the Paddy Power Gold Cup last month with Panic Attack, who proved how well handicapped she was when bolting up next time in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury but back in third at Cheltenham was Hoe Joly Smoke.

Racing off the same mark, it is no surprise he is at the head of the betting, along with the beaten favourite that day, Vincenzo, who is 2lb higher.

They have every right to be on the premises, along with Jagwar who won at the Festival but probably beat a lot of exposed older horses there and he might struggle off 9lb higher.

Imperial Saint made great progress last term, ending the season 20lb higher in the ratings, and he was well fancied for his reappearance in the Old Roan at his favourite track Aintree.

He somewhat disappointed when only fifth but it later transpired he had a back problem so given he is still only seven, he is given another chance to prove he is not in the grip of the handicapper.

Ben Pauling's The Jukebox Kid looked a natural over fences when winning at Carlisle and can defy top weight in the Michael Eakins Senior Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.

Very lightly raced, at this stage there is no real way of knowing his true ability but he looked a lot better than a 122-rated horse and he has 9lb more to contend with here.

His main rival could be Zertakt but he had a very hard race at Newcastle just two weeks ago.

Jamie Snowden's She Is For Me Boys arrives seeking a four-timer following two wins over hurdles and victory on her chasing debut.

The Quintessentially Mares' Handicap Chase will be a tougher assignment but she is another who is massively unexposed and while she made a mistake at the first, her jumping was largely sound in the main thereafter.

David's Well formed part of a Chris Gordon treble at Haydock recently and he could still be ahead of the handicapper.

He was returning from a year off when winning what appeared a decent race and while he did not win by far, he always looked like holding off his challenger with the first two a long way clear.

The Read Meg Nicholls' Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap Chase looks competitive and he could bounce as that was his first run for almost a year, but Gordon is talking of a possible Grand Annual bid.

Conman John looks all about stamina and that should be enough to see him win the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.

Given his course-and-distance win last time out, we know that holds no fears and there does not appear to be anything lurking capable of outstaying him.

Joe Tizzard has been enjoying a good spell of late with Sweet Caryline already contributing two wins this season to add to one at the end of the last campaign.

When a mare is in good form it usually pays to stick with them, so she is the pick in the Download The BetMGM App Mares' Handicap Hurdle.

The Anthony Honeyball-trained Jordans Cross looks the best bet at Doncaster in the bet365 Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.

He looked to be coming to win at Cheltenham last time out when falling at the last and can make amends.

Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies' Masked Man can gain a confidence-booster in the Free Race Replays On attheraces.com EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle at Lingfield, while Pocklington can enhance his good all-weather record in the Always Gamble Responsibly At BetMGM Handicap at Newcastle. - Press Association

SELECTIONS:

CHELTENHAM: Race 1 - 14.10 One Horse Town, Race 2 - 14.40 THE JUKEBOX KID (NAP), Race 3 - 15.15 She Is For Me Boys, Race 4 - 15.50 Imperial Saint, Race 5 - 16.25 David's Well, Race 6 - 17.00 Conman John, Race 7 - 17.35 Sweet Caryline.

DONCASTER: Race 1 - 13.55 Real Quartz, Race 2 - 14.25 Jordans Cross, Race 3 - 14.55 Inishnabro, Race 4 - 15.30 Heather Honey, Race 5 - 16.05 Joyeux Machin, Race 6 - 16.40 Kateira, Race 7 - 17.17 Malystic.

FAIRYHOUSE: Race 1 - 13.30 Karoline Banbou, Race 2 - 14.02 Brave Fortune, Race 3 - 14.32 Ben Hur, Race 4 - 15.05 Kentucky Beach, Race 5 - 15.40 Porthill, Race 6 - 16.15 Gino Bella, Race 7  -16.50 My Good Pal, Race 8 - 17.25 Ash Hobbs.

LINGFIELD: Race 1 - 13.42 Hansard, Race 2 - 14.17 Getaway King, Race 3 - 14.47 Cinquenta, Race 4 - 15.22 Masked Man, Race 5 - 15.57 Getaway With You, Race 6 - 16.32 Drayton Flyer, Race 7 - 17.10 Bobbi's Beauty.

NEWCASTLE: Race 1 - 17.05 Blue Sky Boy, Race 2 - 17.40 Yorkshire Queen, Race 3 - 18.15 Alba Gu Brath, Race 4 - 18.45 Bonnie's Boy, Race 5 - 19.15 Pocklington, Race 6 - 19.45 Northern Spirit, Race 7 - 20.15 Macarone, Race 8 - 20.45 Yaaser, Race 9 - 21.15 Francesci.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1 - 19.00 Sir Benedict, Race 2 - 19.30 Whizzy Dizzy, Race 3 - 20.00 Magic Runner, Race 4 - 20.30 Zryan, Race 5 - 21.00 Hostility, Race 6 - 21.30 South Dakota Sioux, Race 7 - 22.00 Rainwater, Race 8 - 22.30 Amber Honey.