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

One trainer

It's an important day for Paul Nicholls. Among the 12 runners the trainer will send out is stable big gun Politologue, who makes his reappearance in the Grade 2 Christy 1965 Chase (2.05) at Ascot. Al Ferof took this for the same connections in 2013 before finishing third in the King George and Melling Chase winner Politologue also has a trip to Kempton on the agenda.

Nicholls has a good chance in the other Grade 2 on the card, the Coral Hurdle (2.40), with Old Guard, who arrives on the back of a fine third in the Greatwood Hurdle last Sunday. Adding further strength in depth to the ten-time champion trainer's Saturday challenge are Modus (3.15 Ascot), Cliffs Of Dover (1.50 Haydock) and Braqueur D'Or (3.35 Haydock).

One jockey

Sam Twiston-Davies has been going well since turning freelance and he has a strong book of rides at Ascot, with Politologue – who is trained by his former boss Paul Nicholls – the standout chance. In addition to riding Politologue, Twiston-Davies can also look forward to partnering expensively purchased point-to-point winner Trevelyn's Corn (12.20), plus the Richard Newland-trained Caid Du Lin (3.15), who finished runner-up at the course three weeks ago.

One horse

A field of eight is surprisingly small for the £100,000 staying handicap hurdle at Haydock (2.25) but Ian Williams won't be complaining. He saddles the extremely well-handicapped First Assignment, who bolted up at Cheltenham last week and only has to carry a 5lb penalty, meaning he is is 8lb well in.

First Assignment showed promise last season, notably finishing third in the ultra-competitive EBF Final at Sandown, but he has clearly improved this term, landing punts on both starts at Cheltenham. He's unexposed, exciting and will probably be too good for his rivals if last week's wide-margin win hasn't left a mark.

One race

There will be few races this season more eagerly anticipated than the Betfair Chase (3.00 Haydock), which is a case of quality over quantity. The five-runner field is formed of Cheltenham Gold Cup one-two Native River and Might Bite, last year's wide-margin winner Bristol De Mai, 2016 King George hero Thistlecrack and the unexposed Clan Des Obeaux.

Native River got the better of a thrilling battle with Might Bite at Cheltenham but the drop in trip, sharper track and better ground should play to the strengths of strong-travelling Might Bite, who is a red-hot evens favourite.

Betfair Chase card and betting

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