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

Trainer

Willie Mullins has endured a bumpy ride over the Christmas period but he saddles one of his main Cheltenham Festival hopes in the form of Laurina at Sandown (1.50).

Ireland's champion trainer has enjoyed significant success at Sandown, including with Yorkhill in the 2016 Tolworth Hurdle and Un De Sceaux in the 2016 Tingle Creek, but this is arguably one of his most crucial fact-finding missions.

The six-year-old mare has yet to run in open company but is as short as 7-2 to emulate Annie Power in winning the Champion Hurdle and will go off a very warm price for the Listed mares' hurdle at the Esher track on Saturday.

Jockey

Barry Geraghty is set for a plum book of rides at Sandown courtesy of JP McManus and Nicky Henderson.

Barry Geraghty: has some decent rides at Sandown on SaturdayCredit: Grossick Racing 07710461723

The star jockey has also been booked for the ride on the Noel Williams-trained Sensulano, who faces the uphill task of downing the aforementioned Laurina in the Unibet Mares' Hurdle.

Geraghty will also get the opportunity to add to his previous victories in the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle (2.25) with Rathhill, who was a cosy winner at Newbury on his first outing over hurdles and could start favourite in the 2m contest.

Horse

There would be no more popular winner at Sandown than Pete The Feat if he managed to regain his Veterans' Series title and the evergreen 15-year-old lines up at his beloved Sandown bidding for more glory.

The Charlie Longsdon-trained gelding, who has won three times at the track, is one of 17 runners for the hugely popular Veterans' Chase Final (3.00) and arguably knows his way round Sandown better than most. Another victory for the lovable veteran would produce a huge round of applause.

Race

The Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle (2.25) has produced its fair share of Cheltenham Festival winners, including Summerville Boy, who went on to win the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at last year's festival.

Summerville Boy: won the Tolworth before going on to win at CheltenhamCredit: Mark Cranham

All the usual big guns are represented, including two for the in-form Paul Nicholls (Grand Sancy and Southfield Stone), and Rathhill for Nicky Henderson, who has won this race four times in the last eight years.

Colin Tizzard, who won the race in 2017 with the ill-fated Finian's Oscar, is represented by the improving Elixir De Nutz, who has won twice at Cheltenham this term.

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