Cheltenham takes centre stage with the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup Handicap Chase due off at 2.00 and Caid Du Berlais can follow up his last gasp win in the Paddy Power cup to land a big race double.

His victory last month came as a surprise to me as Paul Nicholls had stated on several occasions that his charge needs quicker ground. 

However, his high knee action and strong finish rallied the youngster up the hill to beat the classy Johns Spirit by a neck.

This afternoon the field reverts to the New Course, which is a much stiffer test of stamina and that should suit the five-year-old.

There is little doubt in my mind that he will get an awful lot further in time and with his love of Cheltenham it is not beyond the realms of possibility that he could one day run in a Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The handicapper had little choice in only putting the selection up in the weights by 5lbs such was the narrow margin of victory but I think he can improve beyond that and once again take care of the likes of Edgardo Sol, Ericht and Easter Meteor.

Ericht is the one I fear most of that trio although I think he would be better served by running over two miles on the New Course.

But it is Barrakilla that I fear most of all down the bottom of the weights, in receipt of 13lbs from the selection.

The Welsh raider was two from four over hurdles and has taken nicely to the larger obstacles with a clear-cut success in a minor event at Warwick last backend.

His comeback run at Sandown Park last month was hugely promising and the likelihood is that he will never get a better chance to win a valuable handicap off this kind of mark again.

Of the remainder, No Buts, just behind Barrakilla at Sandown and an easy winner at Newbury since, has the potential to improve into the picture here.

I fancy that Harjam can make the most of the 7lbs he receives from Stars Over The Sea in the 12.15, while at Doncaster Herdsman may shock Grandads Horse in the 1.40 with Killala Quay taken to end the unbeaten run of Virak in a grade two novice chase at 2.50. 

There is some cracking racing on the all-weather with Solar Diety fancied to step up on his comeback run in the feature nine furlong event at Wolverhampton (7.45). The top weight has likely favourite Maverick Wave to worry about most.

On the Fibresand at Southwell have a second glance at the claims of Very First Blade (12.05), Frontier Fighter (1.15) and Admirable Art (3.35).

The last named has ground to make up on Novalist and Masked Dance but I think William Carson will probably steer a wide course this time so he doesn’t have to face the kick back.