Five races to look forward to on a spine-tingling weekend

Betfair Tingle Creek ChaseSandown, Saturday

The Tingle Creek not only promises to the be race of the weekend, but one of the races of the season as long as Willie Mullins gives Douvan his first start since his 13-race winning streak came to end when coming home an injured seventh at the Cheltenham Festival.

It will not quite be the clash everyone hoped for without Altior but the presence of another giant of the jumps sphere should ensure the Betfair Tingle Creek retains its reputation as the best jumps race outside of the Cheltenham Festival.

Sandown's showpiece rarely disappoints as a spectacle and, if not won by a display of brilliance, can otherwise be relied upon to provide a rousing climax.

The list of former winners is a who's who of two mile greats and if Douvan is to lay down a marker for this season's Champion Chase, this is the race to do it in.

Fox Norton: Douvan's biggest threatCredit: Edward Whitaker / (racingpost.com/photos)

Even without the sidelined Altior the competition will be strong with Fox Norton, who has won his last three including the Melling Chase at Aintree and Champion Chase at Punchestown after going down by a head to Special Tiara at Cheltenham, heading the opposition.

Randoxhealth.com Henry VIII Novices' Chase Sandown, Saturday

Not only are we promised sight of some of the very best two mile chasers at Sandown, but also a glimpse of their potential heirs.

Altior beat Charbel in the race 12 months ago, and they were set to fight out the finish of last year's Racing Post Arkle Trophy until Charbel fell two out.

Nicky Henderson has earmarked the race for Brain Power, the Champion Hurdle eighth, who made a solid start to his chasing career with a 28-length win at Kempton.

Colin Tizzard has entered Steel Plate And Sections Chase winner Finian's Oscar and it could also be a target for North Hill Harvey, who took the Racing Post Arkle Trophy Trial by 18 lengths.

Vieux Lion Rouge (9): returning to Aintree on SaturdayCredit: Grossick Racing Photography 0771

Randox Health Becher Chase Aintree, Saturday

Races over the Grand National fences never fail to get the juices flowing and there are two at Aintree on Saturday, the Becher Chase being the feature.

It has attracted plenty of Aintree regulars, including last season's Grand National fourth Blaklion but if Vieux Lion Rouge can reprise his effort of 12 months when he got up to beat former winner Highland Lodge by a short head, a cracking climax will be guaranteed.

Punchestown, Sunday

The Punchestown Gold Cup in April was one of the most exciting races in recent years and there is every chance Sizing John and Djakadam, who finished just a short head apart, could revive their rivalry at the same track on Sunday.

Sizing John completed a Gold Cup treble by adding the Punchestown prize to wins in the Irish Gold Cup and Cheltenham Gold Cup and was due to start back in the Betfair Chase, only to be ruled out because of heavy ground.

Djakadam has been the nearly horse of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, finishing second twice and fourth last season, but he has never missed in the John Durkan, the race providing his last two victories.

Kerry Group Hilly Way Steeplechase Cork, Sunday

Just 15 minutes after the John Durkan, Willie Mullins could unleash Un De Sceaux at Cork.

Last season's brilliant Ryanair Chase winner captured the Tingle Creek on the corresponding weekend a year ago but that is the more likely target for Douvan.

Mullins has won the race in nine of the last ten years and Un De Sceaux could become the next victor.

Read exclusive previews from 6pm daily on racingpost.com