Saturday bet bets: six key runners from six of our experts

Race: 12:30 Newbury. Best Odds: 85/40.

A few interesting types here, although the clear standout to me is INCH HOUSE. His chase debut behind Chianti Classico was encouraging but he took his form to an entirely different level last time out, bolting up in what appeared to be a very strong novice handicap chase. Way Out reopposes on 9lb better terms and on a surface that would give him a fair chance of reversing the form, but the five-and-a-half length margin separating the pair at the line underplays the superiority of Inch House on the day. This will be just his sixth start under Rules, and with the majority of his rivals being fairly exposed he looks to have an excellent chance of following up his course success.

Race: 1.25 Fairyhouse. Best odds: 15/2.

A half-brother to last season's Cheltenham mares' novice winner You Wear It Well, ANSWER TO KAYF was placed in a point and a bumper last season, yet he was still a revelation at Limerick, readily beating a horse who won a graded race next time. He looks to have loads of ability, for all that this is competitive.

1.40 Newbury.Best Odds: 100/30.

The promising JET POWERED made a winning start to life under Rules with a convincing success at this meeting last year but he was disappointing in defeat the following month and hasn’t run since. Excuses could be made for his below-par performance on rain-softened ground however, and he may be well treated on a mark of 131. Expected to show further progression here, his tendency to run well when fresh is a positive and he should possess the class needed to prevail on handicap debut.

2.00 Fairyhouse. Best odds: 5/1.

Gordon Elliott enjoyed his best ever month in November (in terms of winners) when rattling up 41 victories, and he began December by breaking new ground at Newbury with his first winner at the course. He doesn't need any extra help acquiring winners but may have got it via the purchase of GREY DIAMOND, who changed hands for £35,000 in May and has moved to Elliott's Cullentra yard from the stable of Sam Thomas. Rated 142 when last seen on British shores, in the Red Rum Chase at Aintree, he runs off 139 here and may still have some unfinished business. He was unable to make an impact at the Grand National meeting but had previously romped home at Haydock after a series of eye-catching runs. Grey Diamond wouldn't be the first horse to improve switched to Elliott and his mark looks workable. For instance, Dancing On My Own won the Red Rum but now meets his old rival on 12lb worse terms.

2.15 Newbury.Best Odds: 5/2.

The application of a tongue strap has helped BRENTFORD HOPE win three of his past four runs over hurdles and his emphatic reappearance win over course and distance suggests he may finally live up to the reputation he has always had. He bolted up by 16 lengths and unsurprisingly has gone up 11lb in the weights. He wasn’t experienced enough for the Swinton Hurdle last season, but he might well be up this Intermediate event and clearly his Flat speed is a great asset. I’d imagine his excellent trainer Harry Derham must already have the Betfair Hurdle in February in mind but winning the Gerry Fielden can be a useful stepping stone to that race.

2.50 Newbury.Best Odds: 15/2.

MAHLER MISSION ticks plenty of boxes ahead for the Coral Gold Trophy. The John McConnell-trained seven-year-old has always been held in high regard and was a Grade Two winner over hurdles plus also finished seventh in last year's Albert Bartlett. He gradually improved over fences last season and I think he would have won the National Hunt Chase had he not fallen at the second last. He'd jumped with aplomb up until that point and had some useful horses on the backfoot a long way from home. He finished a close second in Grade Two company prior to that and returned this season with a perfectly satisfactory effort behind Thunder Rock in the Colin Parker over an inadequate trip.

McConnell advised the outing would be needed ahead of that run and Mahler Mission travelled well before the lack of race fitness took its toll. He also appears better suited going left-handed (he jumped out to his left at Carlisle) and this strong stayer should relish the Coral Gold Cup test. Racing handily in this race tends to be an advantage, so I expect the selection to race up with the pace again and if he can into a good rhythm, just like he did in the National Hunt Chase before his mishap, then he should be capable of going close off a rating of 151.