Cheltenham preview and tips: Simon Holt verdict Saturday December 12

Cheltenham recommended bets

2pts win Windsor Avenue in 1.50 Cheltenham at 8/1

2pts win Miah Grace in 3.35 Cheltenham at 5/1

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WINDSOR AVENUE, a highly creditable second to the progressive Imperial Aura at Carlisle early last month, could well be thrown-in at the weights in Saturday's Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Always held in very high regard, Brian Ellison's eight-year-old returned after a wind operation to chase home a horse who has since taken another step up the chasing ladder by winning at Ascot.

With Imperial Aura now rated 163, Windsor Avenue's two-and-a-half length defeat receiving 4lb suggests he could be as much as 8lb well-in off a mark of 148 and, while such conditions race form needs treating with a bit of caution, he has long looked a horse who can take higher rank.

Brian Hughes' mount jumped immaculately on that reappearance and also looked a natural in his first two starts over fences last season before having excuses when beaten by Sam Spinner at Doncaster and then taking a surprise fall behind Sam Brown (third at Carlisle) on his final start of the campaign at Haydock.

Clearly, post-operation, Windsor Avenue has returned in good shape and, while he has yet to race in such a competitive field as this, the likely strong pace over a trip which he stays very well should be in his favour.

As one might expect, there are plenty of other leading candidates including last month's Paddy Power Gold Cup winner (on the Old Course) Coole Cody who now bids to complete a rare double off a 6lb higher mark while the top-weighted Master Tommytucker has the raw talent to go extremely well if he can repeat his improved round of jumping at Haydock last time.

The returning course and distance winner Cepage also deserves much respect especially as his two best runs in the past two seasons have come first time out when second behind Frodon in this race in 2018 (off a 12lb lower mark) and a very well handicapped Riders Onthe Storm at Aintree 13 months ago.

Later on, MIAH GRACE is fancied to make it a memorable day for Northern jumping in the Close Brothers Mares' Handicap Hurdle.

Jedd O'Keefe's five-year-old, who won three of her five starts over hurdles last season, progressed again at Wetherby last month when touched off close home by another improving sort in Mario De Pail, the pair finishing well clear of their rivals.

Considering the winner had been dropped a couple of pounds for finishing fifth previously in what has turned out to be a very strong Welsh Champion Hurdle, Miah Grace was facing a leniently treated opponent yet ran a terrific race, leading from the outset and battling on gamely.

Up just 4lb for that effort, she will take some passing here with the top weighted Indefatigable rated the danger after her narrow Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Hurdle win at the Festival in March despite being a beaten favourite (over further) at Kempton first time out.

Posted 1515 GMT on 11/12/20