Stars galore: a look at some of the horses set to appear this weekend

If the November meeting at Cheltenham marked an important stop on the way to the festival in March, then this weekend is all about the appearance of jump racing's superstars, with four of the top ten from last season's Anglo-Irish Classification set to run within the space of an hour on Saturday.

Altior
Christy 1965 Chase

After dominating the two-mile division over the last four seasons, the dual Champion Chase hero is given his first assignment over further by trainer Nicky Henderson.

There will be plenty who hope Altior will prove even more effective over the intermediate trip of 2m5f given the way he has on more than one occasion looked under the pump, only to engage overdrive in the latter stages of a race.

Should that theory prove correct at Ascot, the next stop will surely be the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Cyrname
Christy 1965 Chase

Although Altior is unbeaten in 19 starts over hurdles and fences, he is not the highest-rated horse entered at Ascot.

That honour goes to Cyrname, who burst onto the scene last term with a pair of wide-margin victories over this course and distance, first when conceding lumps of weight in a handicap and then demolishing Grade 1 campaigners in Waiting Patiently, Fox Norton and Politologue in the Betfair Ascot Chase.

The formbook suggests he must have the right-handed configuration of Ascot, Kempton or Sandown to be anywhere near his best.

Bristol De Mai
Betfair Chase

A gallant third in the Gold Cup may have laid to rest the notion that Haydock is the only place Bristol De Mai can thrive, but his record at the Lancashire venue is an unimpeachable four from four, including the last two runnings of this race.

Last year he left the then reigning Gold Cup hero Native River and subsequent King George winner Clan Des Obeaux trailing, while in 2017 he cantered home 57 lengths clear of Cue Card.

Lostintranslation
Betfair Chase

Beloved by fans of the 2003 Bill Murray Tokyo love story and those who value old-fashioned staying chasers, Colin Tizzard's charge is on a short list of horses who could become the next superstar over three miles.

Lostintranslation: bids to strike in the Betfair ChaseCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

After being done for toe by the high-class Defi Du Seuil over 2m4f in the JLT, Lostintranslation showed no mercy to RSA winner Topofthegame at Aintree on his first attempt over 3m.

He blew away the cobwebs at Carlisle this month and trails only Kemboy in the ante-post markets for Cheltenham's showpiece contest.

Frodon
Betfair Chase

This hugely popular campaigner brought the house down at the festival when repelling all challengers under an inspired Bryony Frost in the Ryanair Chase.

Frodon has had the benefit of a prep run, finishing third to Forest Bihan in the Old Roan at Aintree in a race which didn't play to his strengths as a fast and accurate jumper after six fences were omitted.

The seven-year-old also won the Cotswold Chase over three miles at Cheltenham last season and will take some passing at Haydock if getting into his usual rhythm up front.

If The Cap Fits
Coral Hurdle

Took his form to a new level last April when seeing off Roksana and Apple's Jade in a head-bobber of a Liverpool Hurdle.

If The Cap Fits will bid for back-to-back wins in the Coral Hurdle at Ascot on SaturdayCredit: Henry Browne

That success might suggest Harry Fry should be eyeing the big staying prizes over hurdles with the seven-year-old but If The Cap Fits had enough speed to be third in last year's Christmas Hurdle, and will be looking to back up his win in the 2018 edition of this race over an intermediate 2m3½f on Saturday.

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