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

Trainer

Dan Skelton has become a big name to follow on Saturdays and he could be set for another lucrative afternoon as he has leading candidates in the three feature races at Sandown and Aintree.

Skelton won the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase (1.50) a year ago with Allmankind, and the exciting Third Time Lucki bids to follow in his footsteps having made an impressive unbeaten start over fences, including when an easy winner at Cheltenham's November meeting last time.

The trainer's highest-profile runner at the Esher track is Nube Negra, the leading British hope against Chacun Pour Soi in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (2.25). The seven-year-old will be bidding for a much-deserved first top-level victory, having eased to success in the Shloer Chase last time.

Skelton also saddles the likely favourite in the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree (2.05) in the shape of Grade 1-winning novice chaser Protektorat, who steps up to 3m1f for the first time after finishing second in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last month.

Jockey

James Bowen has been a rising star of the weighing room for some time now and could be set for another big day over the National fences at Aintree, while he also gets the leg-up on dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll.

He is set partner the 2018 and 2019 National winner for the first time in the Many Clouds Chase (2.05) as he makes his seasonal return at the Merseyside track on the road back to the Cross Country Chase in March.

Bowen also partners a horse who could enhance his Grand National claims in Mac Tottie – trained by his father Peter – as he bids to back up his success in last month's Grand Sefton Chase in the Becher Chase (2.40).

Horse

The headline act on a top-class day of action is Chacun Pour Soi, who makes his return in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (2.25).

The nine-year-old is a five-time winner at the top level and ended last season in brilliant form when destroying a classy field, including Ryanair winner Allaho, in the Champion Chase at Punchestown.

Chacun Pour Soi is yet to win in Britain after suffering a shock defeat in last season's Champion Chase at Cheltenham when only third behind Put The Kettle On.

Race

Despite Shishkin being ruled out of the race last week, the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (2.25) remains a fascinating contest.

Chacun Pour Soi heads a field of five and is likely to be a strong favourite to add another Grade 1 to his haul, but he will not have it all his own way on his first outing at Sandown.

He faces a formidable opponent in Nube Negra, who finished ahead of him in the Champion Chase in March and has looked better than ever since, while the Paul Nicholls-trained Greaneteen was a top-level winner over course and distance in the Celebration Chase last season.

Nicholls is also represented by the improving Hitman, while the Henry de Bromhead-trained Captain Guinness – an easy winner of the Grade 3 Poplar Square Chase last time – adds extra spice to a thrilling Tingle Creek.

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