Chris Dixon's top tips for Monday: Focus on Primal at Fakenham

Eight days to go until the start of the Cheltenham Festival and many have already turned their attention to that already.

I haven’t yet, but will be doing so today now I’ve got the study completed and hopefully found a winner or two to boost the funds ahead of next week. Good luck.

With a favourite that lacks any solid form and a second favourite returning from a lengthy absence over a trip that is probably shorter than ideal, this looks an interesting betting race, with Overawed a solid each-way option.

Overawed has the best recent form in the race courtesy of his close second to the in-form, and well-handicapped, Goodgirlteresa at Chepstow 45 days ago and a reproduction of that form would see him in the mix.

A winner on his only previous visit to this track, he represents an underrated stable - John Groucott has a 20 per cent strike-rate with his chasers in the past five seasons – and having regularly run well when fresh, his short break can be taken as a plus.

On good ground at a sharp track like Fakenham, even the races over a staying trip test are a relative speed test, and I believe Canyon City, a course winner over a shorter distance, will have too much pace for the improving Uno Mas.

A dual winner earlier in the season, Canyon City ran a career best when a close third in a well-contested handicap at Kempton last time out and the way he finished off suggests he stays this far under these conditions.

This looks a weaker affair and he should get a good early position behind likely leader Kilbrew Boy.

I have had Primal Focus on my radar since finishing fourth behind a well-handicapped horse in a big field handicap hurdle at Taunton in December.

He has since switched to chasing and shaped with promise on both starts. The first of those two runs was in a competitive looking race at Wincanton and then at Ludlow when three miles appeared to stretch his stamina.

A drop in both distance and grade appear to be in his favour today - he has also eased a few pounds in the weights - plus he represents a stable going very well.