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

Trainer

Paul Nicholls bids to bounce back to form at Newbury and sends a strong team headed by unbeaten novice chaser Bravemansgame, who warms up for the festival in the novice handicap chase (1.15).

He then has a leading chance in the Betfair Denman Chase (2.25) with dual King George winner Clan Des Obeaux, who heads a small but select field that also includes Royale Pagaille and Imperial Aura.

In the following race, the Grade 2 Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase (3.00), Nicholls sends out Hitman, who finished runner-up in the Tingle Creek and is vying for early favouritism with last year's winner Sceau Royal.

Jockey

James Bowen will partner Sceau Royal in the absence of Daryl Jacob, but the Alan King-trained ten-year-old is not the only interesting ride the jockey has on Saturday.

He faces a stiff task aboard Pats Fancy in the opener, but the seven-year-old is not without a chance taking on Bravemansgame at Newbury. He was an impressive winner at Chepstow last time for trainer Rebecca Curtis.

Sceau Royal: winner of last year's Game Spirit ChaseCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Bowen also partners First Street in the Betfair Hurdle (3.35). He is available at around 12-1, but arrives in good form after beating Mengli Khan by seven and a half lengths at Kempton last month.

Horse

Edwardstone has been held up as a possible contender to beat the Irish at the Cheltenham Festival and he will bid to showcase his credentials for the Sporting Life Arkle with victory at Warwick.

The Alan King-trained eight-year-old, who won the Wayward Lad Novices' Chase last time, renews his rivalry with Third Time Lucki in the Virgin Bet Kingmaker Novices' Chase (2.05) under Tom Cannon.

He finished clear of Third Time Lucki and the second, War Lord, in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase at Sandown on his penultimate start.

Race

The Betfair Hurdle (3.35) may have only attracted 14 runners, but the race is typically competitive at the head of the market with the likes of last season's winner Soaring Glory, Broomfield Burg and Jpr One.

The Nicky Henderson-trained Broomfield Burg finished first or second in each of his five starts in 2021, including when winning a novice hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day by ten lengths from Black Poppy.

Newbury card and betting

Warwick card and betting

Read more here

2022 Betfair Hurdle at Newbury: the runners, the odds, the verdict

Field sizes explained: why this weekend's numbers have warning lights flashing

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