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IT MAY be less than two weeks to the Cheltenham Festival, but for those horses either not suited to the Prestbury Park track or haven’t qualified for specific races at the big event, there are still some big prizes up for grabs this afternoon on the national hunt scene at Doncaster and Newbury.

The most interesting betting race for me is the Grimthorpe Handicap Chase (3.00) at Doncaster despite the disappointing turn out of just the eight runners.

Mister Malarkey missed the big chase at Kempton Park last week to wait for this and has to be a huge player off a mark of 142, his last win came off a rating of 150 and a recent wind operation and change of scenery will have freshened him up.

Le Milos will make the market for the nine-year-old and I couldn’t put any of you off him, but I think the each-way value if the majority of the field hold their ground has to be UNDERSUPERVISION.

He was beaten a full 11-and-a-half lengths by Le Milos last time out at Sandown Park, but I just think too much use was made of him there on that stiff track and an 8lbs pull in the weights along with the use of more appropriate tactics gives him more than half a chance of reversing those placings at around the 12/1 mark.

I was also interested in the opening handicap hurdle at 1.45 where there doesn’t look to be an awful lot of strength in depth, and I will be firmly pinning my pounds and pence to mast, or should that be, saddle of UNIVERSAL FOLLY.

The Nicky Richards-trained seven-year-old ran the best race of his career last time out at Ayr when rallying for third spot behind Cellar Vie, and it seems that there is more to come from him, and the 10lbs claim from Conor Rabbitt could be huge with the ease in the ground another plus.

The mares Listed novice staying hurdle at 2.20 looks wide open and the step up from two miles to three looks absolutely made to measure for the six-year-old MARSH WREN.

She is bred to just keep on galloping and ran right through the line to see off her four rivals at Market Rasen in what was a well run race. Stuart Edmunds is not one to over face his charges and at 20/1 she looked of huge value to bridge the form gap between the likes of Gazette Bourgeoise, Get A Tonic and the progressive Miss Fairfax.

Over at Newbury, ASO can finally win one of the special veteran’s races when he contests the opener at 1.15. What the 12-year-old has been crying out for is a flat track and he finally gets that here — and if the ground doesn’t deteriorate he should be able to see off the enigmatic Kauto Riko.

The feature Greatwood Gold Cup at 1.50 only has 10 runners set to run, which is a shame for the prize money on offer. I’m still convinced that we haven’t seen the best of FARINET and my only reservation is that he went out like a light at Sandown Park last month, although that could readily have been a case of him not staying the three miles that afternoon.

I think there could be more to come though, and any give in the ground is a huge plus. I also have the greatest of respect for Musselburgh winner Amour De Nuit.

Having moved from Charlie Longsdon to Fergal O’Brien, PUNCTUATION took a huge step forward on his stable debut with a most impressive win at Warwick on soft ground, jumping well and cantering clear on the run in.

It was no surprise to learn that he was penalised 10lbs for that run, and although this is a significantly better race, I think that the youngster has loads more left in his locker and can make the 12lbs he is set to receive from the top weight Mark of Gold tell.

A clear round should see GLORY AND HONOUR go close in the 3.02, while I am quite tempted by the very well handicapped KATESON (NAP) in the veteran’s handicap hurdle due off at 3.37. Last a winner off 134 and placed off the same mark recently, with young Jay Tidball taking 10lbs off his back he is set to race off 118 and looks a massive each-way play in my form book.

It’s a big day at Kelso with some cracking prizes up for grabs. The Morebattle Hurdle (3.15) has a decent entry this year and METIER (nb) has a good chance to follow up his recent Lingfield Park success, and with plenty of rain forecast, I will be taking an early price on him as soon as the odds become available.

On the same card, HILL SIXTEEN could well cause a minor surprise in the Premier Chase at 2.40, while WILDE ABOUT OSCAR may defy top weight under Harry Skelton in the two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle at 2.05. The seven-year-old ran much better than his finishing position suggests at Huntingdon and a 3lbs drop in the ratings looks very attractive.

I will be having three wagers on the level starting off with OBSIDIAN KNIGHT in the Lingfield Park 2.34 and ending with KITTEN’S DREAM in the two-mile handicap at Southwell (7.00). The best bet of the day in Ireland could be HEAR NO EVIL at 4.32.