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IT IS the final weekend of “real” Cheltenham Trials with the Newbury meeting and with the main betting event being the Handicap Hurdle at 3.35 and despite the drying ground, it is nice to see that a field of 18 (maximum of 25) will go to post headed by the gambled on Irish raider Filey Bay.

Two from two this season for the Grand National winning trainer Emmet Mullins, this lightly raced youngster will only be having his 10th race under rules and his fifth over hurdles so there should be at least a modicum of improvement still to come.

The son of Fame and Glory has a plenty of stamina on both sides of his breeding, but seems to have plenty of speed to deal with an event that is not always run at the furious pace that it was traditionally associated with in its early days. Both of his victories have come in impressive fashion, leading in the closing stages and hitting the line very strong and a 9lbs penalty taking his mark to 133 may still underestimate the height of his talent.

Still, he remains a restrictive price in such a competitive event and so we can afford to look further down the betting lists for an each-way play. No Ordinary Joe certainly comes into that category at around 10/1, while second favourite Rubaud can still just about be considered as an each-way price and will relish this much better surface, but at some three times the odds of that rival, I am keen to have a play on YORKSEA (nap) especially as most bookmakers are sure to be offering extended place terms on the day of the race.

Gary Moore’s charge recorded an impressive victory at Fontwell Park last time out following a fair fourth over this course and distance in the Gerry Feilden Hurdle in November, his first start since May when he could have done with a quicker pace. However, that run looked like a scouting mission for this top pot and he looked badly in need of the outing as well. He probably needed to win last time out to get into the field and although and 7lbs higher here, the lightly raced five-year-old is still open to plenty of progress off his new mark of just 123.

The supporting races haven’t really got much strength in depth to them, but the one wager I will be banking on is ELDORADO ALLEN to defend his title in the Denman Chase at 2.25 despite having to carry a 6lbs penalty. He has been in fine form this season, being placed in both the Charlie Hall and Grade 1 races before two early mistakes put paid to his chance in the King George at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

This ground is more his domain, he beat Royal Pagaille on good to soft last year, and he probably has most to fear from Hitman. The last named was pulled up in that Christmas classic and bled as well which is a negative. The really dark horse is course specialist Zanza. The Philip Hobbs-trained runner has at least 16lbs to find with the best of these at the weights, but has an awesome record around this flat, galloping track and would have been the each-way selection had there been at least eight runners in this Grade Two contest.

For the money on offer, the Grade Two Game Spirit Chase (3.00) has a moderate entry and this looks a cracking opening for FUNAMBULE SIVOLA to repeat his success from 12 months ago when he bossed the race from the front and run rather cosily from the consistent Sceau Royal.

There are only three acceptors for the opening novice handicap chase at 1.15, and granted the current ground conditions it will be a shock if the classy MCFABULOUS can’t give the weight away to his two rivals, while BARBADOS BUCK’S looks a solid favourite for the three-mile handicap hurdle at 1.50.

The class two handicap chase at 2.45 is the feature race at Uttoxeter with former Premier Handicap race winner De Rasher County set to head the weights off a mark of 145. He has shown a glimmer of his old form so far this term, but will do well to give 15lbs away to recent Doncaster third DUBLIN FOUR.

Such is his consistency that the handicapper finds it very hard to drop the nine-year-old in the weights, but if you cast aside a rare recent failure at Newbury two outings back, then he has a fine chance of landing this contest on his favoured ground. FINE CASTING may defy top weight in the handicap hurdle at 3.20, while I’M A STARMAN looks sure to go well at a double figure price in the staying handicap chase at 3.55.

Elsewhere on Saturday afternoon, DEMBE can halt the winning run of Buxted Too in the opening mile and a half Lingfield Park handicap at 1.23 and later on the card at the Surrey track, CELTIC CHAMPION can put behind him a disappointing effort by landing the 3.08 for handler Andrew Balding.

Away from the restrictive price of Jonbon in the Kingmaker at 2.40, the best wager at Warwick could well be THUNDER AHEAD in the two-mile handicap chase at 3.48, while under the lights at Wolverhampton have a second glance at veteran SIX STRINGS in the finale at 8.30.