Madara can turn around last month’s Cheltenham form to win the Nyetimber December Gold Cup Handicap Chase on Saturday.
A winner at this meeting last year when trained by Sophie Leech, he went on to take a fine handicap prize at the Dublin Racing Festival but then disappointed in the Grand Annual and subsequently changed yards over the summer.
Sent to Keiran Burke, Madara finished unplaced for him at Ascot on his seasonal bow and was then moved on again to join Dan Skelton’s team ahead of the Paddy Power Gold Cup.
He was a 16/1 shot that day and stayed on all the way to the line after racing at the rear in the early stages, eventually beaten a shade under eight lengths by the reopposing Il Ridoto off level weights.
The handicapper has seen fit to ease him 1lb for that run and if he can sit nearer the pace this time, Madara should have every chance of building on his stable bow.
Total Look can hit the mark for Gavin Cromwell in the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle. Winner of one his six starts on the level, Total Look was a debut winner over hurdles at Navan last month and appears to be a runner on the upgrade.
Clondaw General won what appeared to be an average Worcester maiden hurdle on his rules bow after being snapped up for £150,000 following a point-to-point victory back in January.
He overcame a rather awkward leap at the last to prevail at the first attempt and while he will have to raise his game again against prolific winner Skyjack Hijack in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, Clondaw General really could be anything at this stage.
Nicky Henderson can secure a Cheltenham double courtesy of Peaky Boy and Joyeuse.
Peaky Boy will be trying to maintain his perfect record in the Josh Wyke Birthday Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase, with all but one of his victories coming at Prestbury Park.
A hurdles winner in January and April, Peaky Boy made a perfect start over fences with a convincing success at the November meeting and should be able to follow up.
Joyeuse runs in the BetMGM Mares’ Handicap Hurdle after finding the highly-regarded Celtic Dino far too good at Ascot last time out.
In what was her first start for 10 months, Joyeuse dropped away to be beaten over six lengths, but she should be all the better for it.
Third Time Lucki is the pick in the BetMGM Handicap Chase after a fine second at this track following a long lay-off.
Elsewhere, West Balboa is fancied back over hurdles at Doncaster.
Two chase starts this term have yielded little joy, so it makes since for the Skelton-trained runner to switch back in the bet365 Doncaster Mares’ Hurdle.
The mare rated highly enough to be sent off favourite for last season’s Long Walk and while she is not of that calibre, she is far ahead of her rivals on the ratings in this Listed contest.
Iberian is one to watch at Southwell’s evening meeting as he returns in the Extra Winnings With BetUK Acca Club Conditions Stakes.
This represents a huge drop in class having contested just two races this year, finishing last in the 2000 Guineas and beating just one horse home in the Prix Jean Prat.
Given a long break and a wind operation since that outing in July, Iberian has plenty to prove but if he is anywhere the kind of form that saw him win last year’s Champagne Stakes, it would be more than sufficient for victory.
Saturday racing tips
CHELTENHAM: 12.10 Total Look, 12.40 Peaky Boy, 1.13 Realisation, 1.50 MADARA (NAP), 2.25 Third Time Lucki, 3.00 Clondaw General, 3.35 Joyeuse.
DONCASTER: 11.55 Horaces Pearl, 12.25 The Kalooki Kid, 12.55 No Risk With Lou, 1.30 Jeteye, 2.05 Does He Know, 2.40 West Balboa, 2.40 Lily Du Berlais.
FAIRYHOUSE: 11.30 Majborough, 12.00 Magellan Strait, 12.30 Teofimo, 1.02 Stoneyford Lady, 1.37 Coumeenoole, 2.12 Jouster, 2.47 Miss Lia, 3.22 Future Prospect.
NEWCASTLE: 11.42 Penpal, 12.17 Tommys Law, 12.47 Susiesparkle, 1.22 Chemical Warfare, 1.57 Balranald, 2.32 Just Jess, 3.08 Blakey Boy.
SOUTHWELL: 3.45 Royal Favour, 4.15 Pinhole, 4.45 Hitched, 5.15 Memardee, 5.45 Iberian, 6.15 Havana Sky, 6.45 Royal Zabeel, 7.15 Cello, 7.45 Street Life.
WOLVERHAMPTON: 4.30 Lia Rose, 5.00 Spirit Of Jura, 5.30 Trouble Man, 6.00 Giorgio M, 6.30 Havana Force, 7.00 Daaris, 7.30 City Cyclone, 8.00 Retraction, 8.30 Recon Mission.
DOUBLE: Madara and Peaky Boy