'A 5lb rise may not be enough to stop him' - five eyecatching Saturday entries

The main action on Saturday comes courtesy of two top-class cards at Cheltenham and Doncaster. Nicky Henderson is aiming to continue his excellent start to 2021 with the likes of Champ and Chantry House at Cheltenham's Trials day, while Doncaster's card is headlined by the Sky Bet Chase. Here we pick out five eyecatching entries for Saturday's racing . . .

Lively Citizen

SSS Super Alloys Handicap Hurdle, 2m1f (12.15 Cheltenham)

Cheltenham's opener features this progressive David Jeffreys-trained seven-year-old, who could look to back up his impressive course-and-distance victory in December.

Lively Citizen had the assistance of 7lb claimer Archie Bellamy for that half-length win and has since risen 5lb, but the form was given a nice boost when runner-up Broomfield Burg bolted up by ten lengths on his next start and given the way Lively Citizen finished off his race, that rise may not be enough to stop him striking again.

Watch Lively Citizen win at Cheltenham in December

Hillcrest

Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2), 2m4½f (3.40 Cheltenham) or Albert Bartlett River Don Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2), 3m½f (2.45 Doncaster)

The imposing seven-year-old caused quite a stir when convincingly beating some decent rivals at Cheltenham on New Year's Day and he looks set to step up to Grade 2 company this weekend at either Cheltenham or Doncaster.

Unbeaten over hurdles, Hillcrest runs in the colours of the late Trevor Hemmings and, even at this early juncture of his career, has his trainer Henry Daly proclaiming him to be the best horse he has trained at this stage.

Watch Hillcrest win at Cheltenham on New Year's Day

Iceo

JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2), 2m1f (12.45 Cheltenham)

Iceo earned quotes of 14-1 for the Triumph Hurdle after making a striking impression on his British hurdling debut at Kempton over Christmas, where he ran out a 17-length winner under Bryony Frost.

Iceo: made a striking impression on his British hurdling debut at Kempton over ChristmasCredit: Edward Whitaker

He is entered in Saturday's trial for that race, although trainer Paul Nicholls was not overly enamoured with the idea of heading to the festival with the four-year-old. He has been earmarked as a nice chasing prospect for the future and he could continue his education while picking up a nice prize at the same time.

Watch Iceo win decisively at Kempton last month

Third Time Lucki

Lightning Novices' Chase (Grade 2), 2m½f (1.35 Doncaster)

Third Time Lucki has become somewhat of a forgotten horse in the Arkle market after defeat to Edwardstone in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown on Tingle Creek weekend, but he could bid to regain the winning thread at Doncaster.

There is no doubting the engine he possesses and he is capable of producing both spectacular and ragged leaps, but if Harry Skelton can put all the pieces together there is no reason he can't re-emerge as a strong contender again for the spring festivals.

Watch Third Time Lucki win a Grade 2 novice chase at Cheltenham in November

Five Star Getaway

Sky Bet Handicap Chase (Listed), 3m (3.20 Doncaster)

The Sky Bet Chase is the most attractive betting proposition of the weekend and Five Star Getaway should sneak into the final field off a low mark for trainer Christian Williams.

The eight-year-old progressed rapidly with a quickfire hat-trick last spring, but lost his way slightly after that. However, he bounced back to his best at Kempton last time and running off a low weight could be crucial in this gruelling 3m test.

Watch Five Star Getaway win at Kempton in December

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