It might feel like a case of "after the Lord Mayor's show", but the amateur jockeys contesting the St James' Place Chase won't be thinking that as they literally jump at the chance to test themselves and their horses over the same course as the Gold Cup contenders just 40 minutes prior.

Billaway won this last year after twice being runner-up, and he will be looking to defend his crown when he lines up alongside 23 other hopefuls in what is known as the "Amateur Gold Cup".

Three top-two finishes mean this Mullins-trained 11-year-old clearly knows how to negotiate the Cheltenham fences, and although he has not looked scintillating in his two outings this season, he arrives off the back of winning ride at Naas last month.

Top tip: Billaway

• Tip advised by GV Early Alerts on Tipstrr

The short price of the firm favourite Vaucelet only enhances the odds lower down the betting, and despite some market support, Bob And Co still holds a tasty outsider price.

He will certainly be fresh after being away from the track since falling in this race last year as an 11/2 shot, and if he is the same shape that merited that short price, then he might just be flying under the radar this time around. Each-way popular punt: Bob And Co

Tips advised by Kens Jumps on Tipstrr

The article Cheltenham Festival 2023: St James' Place tips - Billaway primed for Hunter Chase defence appeared first on Planetsport.com.