Racing with Farringdon: Mahogany Blaze on fire in the festival build-up

But first up, Saturday afternoon's main events are at Doncaster in the Grimthorpe Chase and at Newbury with the Greatwood Chase, both valuable contests in their own right.

Let's start at the Berkshire track where their feature event is run over two-and-a-half miles at 3.50 and the weights are headed by Big Fella Thanks, a veteran of two Grand Nationals, who was back to form last time at Wincanton and won this event in 2010 off a 2lb lower mark.

He will obviously play a part in proceedings but may not be able to give 14lb away to fellow veteran Mahogany Blaze.

The Nigel Twiston-Davies runner was only just touched off by the progressive Bless The Wings at the track two outings back and then seemingly hated the very deep ground at Chepstow last time.

If he returns to Newbury on better ground in more positive mood, a double-figure price would look very attractive.

The big race at Doncaster (2.55) looks even more competitive but if the ground continues to dry out then Billie Magern could give Twiston-Davies a massive double.

Winter ground is not the domain for this nine-year-old and off a winning mark a price of around 16/1 would do nicely.

And so onto the Cheltenham Festival and a quick look at the novice divisions.

In the hurdles, My Tent or Yours would only need to duplicate his win in the Betfair Hurdle to land the Supreme Novices although 13/8 is very short, so how about Paul Nicholls's Lac Fontana for Friday's Triumph Hurdle at 33/1?

The charger ran a promising race at Kempton last time and will relish the end-to-end gallop. It is interesting that Ladbrokes only offer 16/1.

As far as the novice chases are concerned there is a likely matchup in the Arkle on Tuesday with Simonsig and Overturn likely to be eyeballing each other down the home stretch. The ground is likely to play a key part, though, and the each-way alternative is Module at around 40/1.

The three-mile RSA Chase on Wednesday looks very open and after favourite Dynaste the fast-improving Goulanes could be worth an each-way play at 25/1. He jumps and stays and should race out of trouble at the head of the pack.

Next Saturday I shall take you through my six best bets for the Cheltenham Festival.