Catch Calico on return to Cheltenham

Cheltenham returns this week with the two-day Showcase Meeting, signaling that the jumps season is getting into gear. Rain is a possibility, and the going may change from the current good description, so it's important to keep an eye on the forecast. Plenty of interest is present across both Friday and Saturday at Cheltenham, but the first day presents the best chance of making an ante-post bet.

This opportunity comes in the squareintheair.com Handicap Chase (3.35pm), where Calico, trained by Dan Skelton, has won the last two years. Skelton is a top target trainer, and in both previous renewals, he has prepared Calico to be at his best. The 10-year-old excels when fresh, with a record of 82211 on his seasonal return. Skelton's yard is thriving, having already surpassed the 100-winner mark for the season, giving Calico a fitness edge over many rivals.

The 4/1 odds on Calico seem fair, as the price could drop significantly on the day. While Calico does best on good ground, he won last year's race on good-to-soft ground, so he should be fine if the worst of the rain misses Prestbury Park. On the flat at Doncaster on Friday, Bulletsnap and Captaincy are the favorites in the six-furlong nursery (1.35pm).

However, Mind Those Steps, ridden by Tim Easterby, could be a hidden gem. The colt has performed well on both soft and heavy ground, with a third place finish at Ayr last month and a sixth-place finish in the Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy. If he maintains a similar level, he looks like a significant price at 16/1, especially after dropping in class.

Lastly, Invictus Gold, ridden by Tom Clover, is also worth considering in the seven-furlong handicap (2.45pm) at Doncaster. The four-year-old hasn't shown much excitement since May last year, but he suffered when handicapped after being put up 11 pounds. His recent performances, including an excellent second to Sondad at Epsom and a strong second at Doncaster, make him a promising contender.

At 16/1, he's worth supporting each-way as he could outpace his odds if the conditions are favorable.