Steve Ryder is back with two tips for today's action.
14:45 Cheltenham
This looks to be between the three race-fit rivals Tag Man, Encanto Bruno and El Elefante (best priced at 11/4) with preference going to the latter who is unbeaten in three runs since joining Lucinda Russell. The five-year-old mare won two bumpers in impressive style by four lengths and six lengths at Musselburgh and Perth last season before winning by 24 lengths on her hurdling debut at Perth a month ago.
El Elefante seemed to relish the step up in trip to 2m4f last time and she should relish the closing stages of this race. Tag Man is worthy of his rating of 135 but in receipt of 6lbs it would be disappointing if El Elefante lost her unbeaten record under rules.
15:40 Lingfield
Awesome Spirit is respected on his stable debut for Mick Appleby but preference instead goes to Dors Toyboy (best priced at 11/2) who is back down to his previous winning mark on his return to the AW. The Dean Ivory trained six-year-old had form figures of 212216 on the AW in cheekpieces including a victory over this course and distance off a mark of 62 in November.
Dors Toyboy returned from a 247 day break to finish down the field in three turf runs without any headgear over 6f but he has now dropped back down to a mark of 62 for this race. The gelding returns to the AW here over 7f and is also re-fitted with cheekpieces for this race and looks a strong each way selection with the dead-eight runners.
