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

Trainer

Now the jumps season is in full swing it is no surprise that Saturday's declarations are full of runners from champion trainer Paul Nicholls, who has a host of good chances at Ascot and Wetherby.

The headline act is Bravemansgame, who renews rivalry with Ahoy Senor in the Charlie Hall Chase (3.35) at Wetherby and returns having had wind surgery since finishing 30 lengths behind the Aintree winner in April.

Nicholls is also represented in the Grade 2 contest by last year's Denman Chase winner Secret Investor, who returns from a 615-day break.

Another live chance at the Yorkshire track for Nicholls is Threeunderthrufive, who returns in the the West Yorkshire Hurdle (3.00) after a spell chasing last season in which he bagged two Grade 2s before finishing sixth in the Brown Advisory Chase.

At Ascot, Nicholls' Aintree handicap hurdle winner Hacker Des Places makes his seasonal reappearance in the London Handicap Hurdle (2.05), in which stablemate Magistrato also takes his place in the line-up.

Samarrive will face Goshen on his debut over fences in the opening handicap chase (1.30), while Thyme White runs in the 2m1f handicap chase (2.40).

Jockey

Although he doesn't seem to be going for the jockeys' championship this year, Harry Skelton has been in fine form during the last two weeks and has a good book of rides at Wetherby, headed by Grade 2 winner Molly Ollys Wishes.

She stormed clear by five and a half lengths in this Listed mares' hurdle (2.25) last year before going on to claim Grade 2 honours at Ascot. She is the highest-rated runner in the field and appears to be Skelton's best chance of success on the card.

Skelton also partners Proschema in the West Yorkshire Hurdle (3.00) and the pair will bid to go one better than last year. He was behind the reopposing Indefatigable that time, but is 6lb better off now.

Skelton's other rides on the card include hurdling debutant William Of York, who makes his first start in 609 days in the opening novice heat (1.50), and Rocky Man, who makes his handicap debut in the closing race (5.20) after being pitched into Graded company on his final two starts last year.

Horse

There are plenty of potential stars on show on Saturday, but there also appears be one lurking in the Bateaux London Handicap Hurdle (2.05) at Ascot.

Anyharminasking is likely to start favourite on his seasonal return and this could be the start of some rapid progress. The five-year-old was entered in a Listed hurdle at Kempton this month and, although he was not declared, it showed the regard in which he is held by his trainer Jonjo O'Neill.

His final two races last season resulted in comfortable victories without the need for him to come off the bridle and, given that he defeated Constitution Hill is his only point, it would be a shock if he did not rate a lot higher in future.

Race

The Charlie Hall Chase (3.35) at Wetherby brings a high-quality early season clash between old rivals Bravemansgame and Ahoy Senor.

The pair have met three times with the latter leading 2-1, thanks to Grade 1 victories at the last two Aintree festivals, while Paul Nicholls' runner came out on top in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton at Christmas.

The duo make their first appearances since Ahoy Senor was a dominant winner of the Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree in April, with Bravemansgame a distant fourth, and head a field of six for the 3m Grade 2.

It is far from a two-horse race, with Denman Chase winner Eldorado Allen also making his reappearance. He defeated Gold Cup hope Royale Pagaille and dual King George winner Clan Des Obeaux in that Newbury Grade 2, and trainer Joe Tizzard is aiming his charge at this year's Kempton showpiece.

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