Is it time for two exciting novice chasers to finally live up to their billing?

1.50 Warwick
McCoy Contractors Civils And Infrastructure Hampton Novices' Chase (Grade 2) | 3m | 5yo+ | ITV4/RTV

This Grade 2 promised a lot at the five-day stage when there were several juicy entries, but it has delivered little in terms of quantity, with only three runners making the final line-up.

Promising a lot and delivering little has become a theme for winners of this race in recent years, too. Black Hercules, who won this in 2016, went on to land the JLT at the Cheltenham Festival later that season, but didn’t win another race afterwards and ultimately disappointed.

The following year it was American who ran out an easy winner. He went on to score at Uttoxeter next time but was another who failed to win again after losing his novice status.

The 2018 winner Ms Parfois didn’t win another race and the same applies to last year’s winner Two For Gold. Only 2019 scorer Ok Corral has done anything significant since.

Read more of our Saturday tipping . . .

Pricewise: Tom Segal reckons conditions will see strong stayers to the fore at Warwick

Paul Kealy reckons layers have the wrong odds-on shot at Warwick

The Punt Daily: Tom Collins' free horseracing tips on Saturday

Saturday's free racing tips: the day's standout bets

'He should outclass this lot' – David Jennings with a strong fancy at Fairyhouse

Fiddlerontheroof is already developing the profile of a horse who promises a lot but fails to deliver. It’s more than a year since he landed the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown, achieving a Racing Post Rating of 152, and he has won only once in five starts since. He has also gone backwards judged on RPRs, with his best subsequent figure no higher than 150.

That still puts him 3lb clear of his nearest rival Next Destination at these weights and it looks a good opportunity for Fiddlerontheroof, so can he finally deliver on his enormous promise?

Punting intuition tells me he is more likely to continue to disappoint and Next Destination, who is another who has yet to deliver on his big potential, might prove the solid option.

Formerly with Willie Mullins and now in the care of Paul Nicholls, Next Destination’s failure to reach his full potential has little to do with him being disappointing and is more easily explained by his fragility. He has made it to the track only ten times at the age of nine.

Nevertheless, he has joined the best trainer of chasers in Britain and it looked like he was destined for the top when he landed a Grade 2 at Newbury on his chase debut in November.

Next Destination (yellow sleeves): won the John Francome at NewburyCredit: Edward Whitaker

The acid test will be whether he can back it up but, on paper at least, he should be open to improvement and any progress would be enough to knock Fiddlerontheroof out of the way.

Golan Fortune completes the line-up and doesn’t have loads to find judging on his fourth in the Grade 1 Kauto Star at Kempton over Christmas.

As a contrast to the other two, he has proved something of an overachiever for trainer Phil Middleton and won’t need a second invitation should Fiddlerontheroof and Next Destination fail to live up to their billing again.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Next Destination
He won his Grade 2 nicely on his first start over fences at Newbury in November. He’s in good shape and has improved since. I’m very happy with him. He’s the one to beat.

Colin Tizzard, trainer of Fiddlerontheroof
It looks a nice race for him. We’re keen to step him up in trip as he’s been outpaced a couple of times at Ascot and Newbury this winter.

Phil Middleton, trainer of Golan Fortune
I'm going there believing he has a massive chance. He’s not that far behind Next Destination on official ratings so I don’t understand why he’s such a big price. Kielan [Woods] came down on Friday morning and popped him over a couple of fences and he was electric. He seems in better form now than he was before Kempton. If he runs a big race at Warwick and the handicapper nudges him up a few pounds he’ll be going for the Grand National.
Reporting by Richard Birch

Saturday previews and analysis:

King of Warwick aims for Classic breakthrough with Captain Chaos (Members' Club)

Trailblazing Grangee opens new era with voyage across Irish Sea to Market Rasen (Members' Club)

Chatham Street Lad 'at full strength' for brilliant Dan Moore Memorial Handicap

'The stable suddenly appears to be burgeoning with potential stars again'

Classic Chase: hear from the trainers before the day's big betting race

Recent history looks good for Ballyoptic to carry a big weight in Classic Chase (Members' Club)

Outstanding British contender could make it a wasted journey for Willie Mullins

'He sure scares me' - Paul Kealy has a big handicap fancy but also a big worry

Check out the Racing Post Cheltenham Festival microsite for the latest tips and odds for every race at the Festival. The best Cheltenham betting advice and exclusive free betting offers all in one place.