Saturday ITV Racing Tips & Preview

TOBEFAIR has shot up the handicap by a staggering 53lb since his winning streak started in mid summer at Worcester and he could well continue his progression here before heading to Cheltenham for the final of this series. Debbie Hamer’s team have been responsible for the selection racking up six victories since he joined them and his lazy style of racing may mean there is still more in the tank. Tobefair saw off Scotchtown at Warwick with a little bit in hand last time and he may not have finished improving just yet.

Sadly just the three go to post for this informative trial and, with two wins from three starts at this venue and a Hennessy Gold Cup on his cv, Native River will probably start favourite. Whether a tactical three-runner affair will play to the strengths of the Welsh National winner is open to question and BRISTOL DE MAI (Best price 11-8) gains the vote given he looked a dramatically improved chaser at Haydock last time. Taking one performance in isolation can be a dangerous tactic, but Nigel Twiston-Davies’ galloping grey clocked a terrific time in destroying his rivals in the Peter Marsh Chase and a subsequent victory for runner-up Otago Trail has advertised the form. A repeat performance on the clock would make him very difficult to beat.

With an undefeated record over hurdles and fences which now stands at eight, ALTIOR is going to be a prohibitive price both for this event and next month’s Arkle Chase. That pricing is entirely understandable given the authority and manner of the gelding’s performances over fences this term and, although he faces his stiffest task to date here, it will be disappointing if he can’t grasp another winning opportunity. Fox Norton has made giant strides over fences this term but has been laid low with a setback for a while and there is a chance he may not be cherry ripe for this test so TRAFFIC FLUIDE (Best price 15-8) could be worth siding with in the markets ‘without Altior’. He was only five lengths in arrears of Un De Sceaux in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot last season and could be the one who picks up the pieces if Fox Norton displays any chinks.

Novices dominate the market for today’s Betfair Hurdle with lightly-raced duo Ballyandy and Movewiththetimes sure to be fancied, however the rigorous nature of a big-field handicap hurdle can sometimes find out the inexperienced and one horse which shouldn’t have an issue is SONG LIGHT (Best price 12-1). The selection hasn’t been seen since performing commendably in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham behind North Hill Harvey and that event has seen the likes of runner-up Modus, A Hare Breath (4th) and duel-scorer Brain Power (8th) all successful since. The manner in which Song Light moved through that competitive handicap was perhaps the most taking aspect of his performance as he looked the winner for a long way and he is clearly suited by a decent number of runners and an honest pace given his placings in double-figure fields read 2223105353. Admittedly, his conversion rate could be a little higher, but the seven-year-old is often asked to compete in the most prestigious handicap hurdles on the national hunt calendar and they are never easy to win.

Following a below-par run in decent company last time at Ascot, SURTEE DU BERLAIS (Best price 9-2) should be an altogether different proposition now she tackles her own sex at a track where she has proved her effectiveness in the past. Oliver Sherwood’s likeable mare hammered Jessber’s Dream by 20 plus lengths at Kempton on her penultimate start, while Rons Dream was also well held that day to suggest the selection can be forgiven her Ascot lapse as the acquisition of the cheekpieces didn’t have the desired result.

Even though this race features another small field, the presence of Gino Trail is likely to ensure there is an honest gallop and he could be a tough horse to pass if in the same mood as his penultimate start over course and distacne when Buveur D’Air was required to dig deep to beat him. However, Kerry Lee’s front-runner endured another tough race last time at Hereford and OVERTOWN EXPRESS (best price 3-1) could be the pick to overhaul him. The selection will be fresher than most and ran out a comprehensive scorer here last month so is familiar with the test this track places on a novice’s jumping. He also stays further and won’t mind if this becomes a war of attrition.

Paul Nicholls may not have a superstar at the moment but he continues to chug along at the head of the trainers’ championship and VIBRATO VALTAT (Best price 6-4) is taken to follow in the hoof steps of recent winner Taquin Du Seuil, Camping Ground and Hey Big Spender and shoulder top weight to victory. The selection has won both of his starts at Warwick and was far from disgraced behind the talented Vaniteux at Kempton last time – his first run since a wind operation - so could outclass the likes of Activial who jumped poorly behind the selection before capsizing.

Read Sam Turner's tips every day in the Daily Mail or at www.dailymail.co.uk/racing