The Cheltenham Festival is only around the corner but there are several big betting races worth keeping an eye on this afternoon, starting with the valuable Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster (3.45) in which Streams Of Whiskey can strike a chord for the north.

The Nicky Richards’ trained eight-year-old has been waiting for this better ground and had a nice pipe-opener over hurdles last time out.

I think he is a 145-plus horse in the making so a mark of 130 should be well within his compass here and he is preferred to top weight Mon Parrain and the lightly weighted veteran Wayward Prince.

The latter has plummeted downs the weights in the last two seasons from a mark of 155 to his current rating of 124 and a repeat of his last run on good ground in the Charlie Hall Chase last November would probably suffice. He could be worth an each-way saver at huge odds.

As far as the rest of the card is concerned, the step up to three miles on this better ground looks perfect for the Nicky Henderson-trained Call the Cops in the 3.10 and this lightly raced charge should be able to see off Scottish National hero Al Co and Cantlow.

Over at Newbury, Easter Meteor will love the flat galloping track and a victory is surely just around the corner off his current rating, but he may just find the top weight Sound Investment too hot to handle in receipt of 9lbs in the Greatwood Gold Cup at 3.25. 

The Paul Nicholls’ trained runner has twice run well off this mark and in what looks a pretty moderate renewal of this contest the seven-year-old is taken to give the weight away all round. 

Earlier on at the Berkshire track, Golden Chieftain may outrun his double figure odds in the extended three-mile handicap chase at 2.15. While Bothy will relish the step back to this distance in the opener at 1.45 and probably has most to fear from the well-regarded Provo.

At Lingfield, John Reel, not seen to best effect in a slowly run race last time out, can make amends when he is stepped up to two miles in the 3.30. 

He probably has the four timer seeking Gold Trial to worry about most of all.

Swing Alone could do with a good pace in the 2.55 but will be finishing with relish close home. 

While I shall be having a couple of wagers at Kelso courtesy of Bristol De Mai in the grade two at 3.30 and the hat-trick seeking Aye Well at 2.25.

The first named just ran way below form in a hot race at Sandown Park last time out and is surely better than that and can make the most of the 9lbs he receives from the classy Glingerburn.