Constitution Hill, L'Homme Presse and A Plus Tard set for super Saturday returns

Constitution Hill remains on course to make his highly anticipated return to action in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday (2.40) after featuring among nine entries.

Nicky Henderson had indicated the Grade 2 contest was the intended starting point for the immensely talented five-year-old. He claimed the Supreme Novices' Hurdle by 22 lengths on his last start and is the 11-8 ante-post favourite for the Unibet Champion Hurdle.

However, he could start off against some interesting opposition at Ascot including Goshen – also entered over fences at the track on Friday – Brewin'upastorm and the Willie Mullins-trained Saint Sam.

As expected, Gold Cup winner A Plus Tard remained the headline act of five runners confirmed for the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock (3.00).

A Plus Tard is one of five runners left it at the confirmation stage for the Betfair ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Rich Ricci revealed Royale Pagaille would miss the race when speaking at Cheltenham on Friday and he was the only horse taken out of the race, with Protektorat, Bristol De Mai, Frodon and Eldorado Allen all kept in contention.

In another Saturday highlight, L'Homme Presse featured among nine entries for the Grade 2 Chanelle Pharma 1965 Chase at Ascot (2.05).

The seven-year-old impressed when winning the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and could face opposition including Dashel Drasher, Hitman and Saint Calvados.

The Berkshire course could also host the belated comeback of Arkle winner Edwardstone. He was pulled out of his intended return in Sunday's Shloer Chase because of concerns about the ground, but he was named among 13 entries for the £125,000 Jim Barry Wines Hurst Park Handicap Chase (3.15).

Haydock also hosts a £125,000 handicap, the Betfair Exchange Stayers' Handicap Hurdle (2.25). Might I is an eyecatching name among the 18 entries which are headed by topweights Run For Oscar, trained by Charles Byrnes, and 2020 winner Main Fact.

Betfair Chase (3.00 Haydock, Saturday)

Betfair: 2-5 A Plus Tard, 10-3 Protektorat, 7 Bristol De Mai, 12 Eldorado Allen, 20 Frodon

Coral Hurdle (2.40 Ascot, Saturday)

Coral: 2-7 Constitution Hill, 5 Brewin’upastorm, 6 Good Risk At All, 7 Goshen, 12 Theatre Glory, 14 Saint Sam, 33 Call Me Lord, For Pleasure, 100 Uhtred

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