With the Cheltenham Festival now just over a week away there aren’t many big races on offer for punters this weekend, but I fancy Hold Em to land the spoils in the Gold Cup Handicap at Newbury.

Keith Goldsworthy has always held the horse in the highest regard and the seven-year-old ran his best race over the larger obstacles when fourth to Nacarat in the Racing Post Chase.

He jumped a lot better than he had done previously that day and looked the only threat to the runaway winner as they rounded the home turn.

He was never able to get in a telling blow at the business end of the action, but showed enough to suggest that he will win a big handicap sooner rather than later.

He will relish the good ground at the Berkshire track as well as the drop back to 2m 4f and the booking of Richard Johnson really catches my eye.

The main dangers could be Alan King’s Ouzbeck and Charlie Egerton’s Hobbs Hill.

The former was an early casualty in his comeback race at Kempton last weekend, but has since schooled brilliantly at home and will be a force to be reckoned with if his astute trainer can get him back to the form which saw him land a really competitive handicap at Cheltenham at the back end of last year.

There is also some decent action on offer over at Kempton, where I am delighted to be sponsoring six races on the card.

The Betfred.com Novices chase is being screened live on Channel 4, and my early fancy for this is the Paul Nicholls trained Oumeyade.

The horse disappointed last time out when heavily backed, but has been given a nice break since and should be too good for his rivals if anywhere near back to his best.

Others that should run well in the supporting races are King Brex in the opener at 1.45 and Midas Way in the 2.20.

Bolton gained a much-needed victory against West Ham last week, and fans will be hoping they can build on that by beating out of form Newcastle at the Reebok on Sunday.

Gary Megson’s side are 11-10 favourites to beat the Magpies, who are 5-2 with the draw 23-10.

History suggests there won’t be much between the two sides, and I reckon Bolton to win 2-1 could be the call at 8-1.

Kevin Davies is 5-1 favourite to continue his good form and get his name on the score sheet first.