How Saturday's action could impact the jump jockeys' championship

After a dramatic week in the jump jockeys' championship, last year's winner Brian Hughes has been joined at the top of the table on 130 by Harry Skelton, who has ridden ten winners since Monday. Harry Cobden is now 13 adrift.

After a blank day of action on Friday, interestingly all three jockeys are going their separate ways in their quest for winners on Saturday.

Cobden has a book of seven rides at Newton Abbot, Hughes is set to partner six horses at Carlisle while Skelton has just two mounts at Haydock.

We assess their chances on another integral day in the championship battle.

Brian Hughes

Wins:130
Rides today:6
Form in last 14 days:12 wins from 70 rides (17 per cent)
Current title odds:6-4 (Paddy Power)

Hughes heads to Carlisle where he has double the number of rides of Skelton on the day, including odds-on shot Wetlands (2.48) in the novice hurdle.

Before then he is aboard short-priced favourite Bird On The Wire (2.13), while Storm Nelson (3.58) has also been popular in the market.

Licklighter (3.23), Cooking Fat (4.33) and Artic Quest (5.05) also have winning chances.

Hughes is riding for a different trainer in each race, emphasising the range of supportive yards at his disposal. He is nine from 60 (15 per cent) at Carlisle this season.

Saturday's free racing tips: six horses to consider putting in your multiples

Harry Skelton

Wins:130
Rides today:2
Form in last 14 days:20 wins from 68 rides (29 per cent)
Current title odds:1-2 (Paddy Power)

According to the betting, Skelton's best chance at Haydock comes aboard his first mount Vision Du Puy (2.05), who is owned by JP McManus.

The jockey's only other ride comes aboard Ashtown Lad (3.15), who has had a wind operation and needs to bounce back to form.

Paul Kealy's Saturday banker at Haydock

Harry Cobden

Wins:117
Rides today:7
Form in last 14 days:9 wins from 47 rides (19 per cent)
Current title odds:25-1 (Paddy Power)

Cobden has work to do if he is to challenge Hughes and Skelton, but he could make significant inroads at Newton Abbot.

Hell Red (1.55) is a 1-2 shot to get him off to a winning start, while Aimee De Sivola (4.52) and Eritage (5.25) have strong chances towards the end of the card.

Colin Tizzard has jocked him up to ride Floy Joy (2.30), Sixty Dollars More (3.05) and Who Shot Jr (4.15). As well as Hell Red and Eritage, Cobden rides Stanley Stanley (3.40) for his boss Paul Nicholls.

The jockey is seven from 34 (21 per cent) at Newton Abbot this season.

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More of Saturday's race previews:

2.40 Haydock: Mahlermade back again in bid to win staying chase final for second time

3.00 Musselburgh: does a prep run mean success in early-season sprints? Graeme Rodway investigates

3.15 Haydock: in-form Skeltons aiming to end hurdles hoodoo with Ashtown Lad

3.35 Musselburgh: Graeme Rodway with his advice on which stayer could land the Queen's Cup

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