Stable debutant halved in price at 8-1 (from 16) for Cheltenham opener

Evan Williams' sole runner of the day has attracted strong support in the opening contest at Cheltenham, with Blacko backed into 8-1 (from 16) for the NHS Vaccinating Heroes Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (1.45).

Punters will be hoping the five-year-old can make a winning start for his new yard after moving from Alan King at the end of last season.

Blacko will be ridden for the first time by the trainer's daughter Isabel Williams, who combined to finish second with Coole Cody at the course yesterday.

Samba Dancer, who is ahead of Blacko in the betting for the 2m½f contest, has also received support to move into 9-2 (from 7-1) behind favourite Samarrive (2-1).

Later in the card, Stepney Causeway has leapt to favouritism in the Masterson Holdings Hurdle (2.55) to usurp Tritonic at the top of the market.

Stepney Causeway: bids for a five-timer at CheltenhamCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The four-year-old is a best-priced 11-8 (from 5-2 yesterday) in a bid to land his fifth win on the bounce on his first start this season following wind surgery in September.

The Dan Skelton-trained runner was last seen romping to an impressive 19-length success at Ayr under Harry Skelton, as the pair seek to follow up yesterday's success with Third Time Lucki.

Previous market leader Tritonic has drifted to 7-4 (from 6-5) as he seeks to put behind a disappointing run in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival for Alan King.

Paul Kealy's Saturday banker at Cheltenham

At Doncaster, Bayside Boy is as short as 15-4 (from 5-1) to challenge hot favourite Luxembourg in the final British Flat Group 1 of the season.

The pair head the market for the Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes (3.15) as the Roger Varian-trained colt makes his first start over a mile after finishing third in the Dewhurst this month.

The son of New Bay was successful in his sole appearance at the track in September when landing the Champagne Stakes by a head from odds-on favourite Reach For The Moon.

Bayside Boy: winner on his sole start at Doncaster and aiming for Group 1 gloryCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Victory would complete a dream day for owners Teme Valley Racing, who earlier landed a dramatic running of the Group 1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate in Australia with the Joseph O'Brien-trained State Of Rest.

Bayside Boy will hope to overturn another short-priced favourite in the shape of the Aidan O'Brien-trained Luxembourg, the current favourite for next year's Derby and evens favourite for today's contest.

Market movers

Cheltenham 1.45: Blacko 8-1 (from 11)
Cheltenham 2.20: Cool Mix 9-1 (from 12)
Newbury 2.35: Siskany 4-6 (from 5-6)
Cheltenham 2.55: Stepney Causeway 11-8 (from 5-2)
Doncaster 3.15: Bayside Boy 15-4 (from 5-1), Imperial Fighter 9-1 (from 10), Hannibal Barca 33-1 (from 50)
Cheltenham 3.30: Ashutor 11-1 (from 14)

Going latest: change at Newbury as conditions remain good at Cheltenham

Conditions at Cheltenham remain good for the final day of the Showcase meeting which opens a new season of jump racing at the course.

The two-day meeting concludes with another seven-race card, beginning with the NHS Vaccinating Heroes Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (1.45) followed by the return of this year's Grand National favourite Cloth Cap in the 888Sport What's Your Thinking Handicap Chase (2.20).

Over at Doncaster the going is also unchanged with conditions soft since Thursday ahead of Britain's final Flat Group 1 of the season.

Clerk of the course Roderick Duncan said: "There was no rain overnight and there is none forecast for today, there will also be less wind than yesterday."

Next year's Derby favourite Luxembourg heads the market for the Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes (3.15), which runs ahead of the Listed Virgin Bet Doncaster Stakes (3.50).

The Punt Daily: Tom Collins' free horse racing tips on Saturday afternoon

More Group action can be found at Newbury, which hosts two Group 3 contests with the Virgin Bet Horris Hill Stakes (2.00) and the Virgin Bet St Simon Stakes (2.35).

The ground dried slightly this morning at the Berkshire course to soft, heavy in places (from heavy, soft in places) following dry weather on Thursday and Friday.

Non-runners

Cheltenham
1.45: 3. River Bray, 7. Stormy Flight, 15. Byzantine Empire
2.20: 2. Truckers Lodge, 5. Didero Vallis, 14. Redford Road
3.30: 4. Belargus
4.05: 1. Shannon Bridge
5.15: 4. Duke Of Rockingham

Doncaster
1.00: 7. Dancing To Win
2.05: 6. Tammani, 10. Walhaan
4.20: 15. Raasel
4.55: 2. Areehaa, 9. Jack Daniel

Newbury
2.00: 4. Hoo Ya Mal
3.45: 5. Banned
5.25: 6. Proton, 8. Nabhan

Saturday's race previews:

2.00 Newbury: 'He looks the one to beat' - Appleby hopes Noble Truth can claim juvenile prize

2.20 Cheltenham:Keith Melrose suggests considering 20-1 outsider in top-quality handicap chase

2.55 Cheltenham:'Put a line through the Triumph' - Tritonic camp retain faith in top prospect

3.15 Doncaster:Can O'Brien land a tenth Vertem Futurity with Derby favourite Luxembourg?

3.30 Cheltenham:Sky Pirate and Nick Scholfield out to plunder another big Cheltenham prize

4.05 Cheltenham:Will go-to claiming rider Jordan Gainford strike another blow for the Irish?

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