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One trainer, one jockey, one horse and one race to watch on Saturday

Trainer

Nigel Twiston-Davies has won the Betfair Chase (3.00) four times and another victory in the race for Bristol De Mai would bring the house down.

The popular grey is responsible for three of his trainer's successes in Haydock's signature jumps race but was pulled up last season. He is an outsider this time around and is bidding to emulate Kauto Star, who remains the only horse to have won this as an 11-year-old.

Team Twiston-Davies also run Good Boy Bobby in the 3m1½f handicap chase (3.35) at Haydock. He disappointed last time but has been dropped in the weights to the same mark which he won the Rowland Meyrick off last season.

Poppa Poutine (12.40) and veteran Wholestone also run at Haydock (2.25) while Victorias Peak (1.30) features at Ascot.

Jockey

Beating A Plus Tard will take something special but if any horse could produce that mighty feat it is most likely to be Protektorat, ridden by Harry Skelton.

The jockey has been on board for all but one of the seven-year-old's starts under rules. He missed out when Protektorat demolished the opposition in the Many Clouds almost a year ago but guided him to a creditable third-place finish in the Gold Cup. Here. they will look to turn the tables with Cheltenham conqueror A Plus Tard.

Champion jockey Harry Skelton is all smiles as he arrives at Wetherby on day one of the Charlie Hall Chase meeting
Harry Skelton: has three good rides at Haydock on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Skelton will warm up with two live chances. L'Eau Du Sud makes his British debut in the 2m3f handicap hurdle (1.15) but has some decent form in France, while last-time-out winner Get A Tonic is a contender for the £125,000 Betfair Exchange Stayers' Handicap Hurdle (2.25).

Horse

Eight months on from his scintillating victory in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, Constitution Hill is back in action in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot (2.40).

Nicky Henderson's sensational prospect won three times last season, two of which came at the top level, and is touted as the sport's next big superstar. He currently tops the betting ahead of Honeysuckle for the Champion Hurdle in March.

The future is bright: Nico de Boinville has so much to look forward to with Supreme Novices' Hurdle hero Constitution Hill
Constitution Hill: back in actionCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

All eyes are on him and he is odds-on to make a winning comeback despite taking on a fairly decent field including Goshen and Brewin'upastorm.

Race

The Betfair Chase (3.00), the first British Grade 1 of the season, has attracted just five runners but they include officially the best chaser around in A Plus Tard.

He achieved a rating of 180 when powering clear of stablemate and reigning champion Minella Indo to land the Cheltenham Gold Cup last season and starts his campaign back at Haydock. Just like at Cheltenham, he dominated here a year ago and is the one to beat again.

Old favourites Frodon and Bristol De Mai are among a quality cast which also includes Eldorado Allen and Protektorat.


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West Country correspondent

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