One key runner from each of the ten ITV4 races on Saturday

1.10 Kempton
Ladbrokes Where The Nation Plays Handicap Chase, 2m4f

Nicky Henderson saddles his first runners over jumps since he announced his string would take a little break following some below-par performances over Christmas, and his main hope in the 2m4f contest looks to be the Nico de Boinville-ridden Pistol Whipped.

The seven-year-old has yet to really fulfil expectations and makes his seasonal return after losing his way in the second half of last season. Henderson is also represented in the race with the veteran Theinval, while Mahlervous bids to make his first start out of novice company a winning one for trainer Warren Greatrex.

1.25 Chepstow
Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1), 2m

Last season Goshen was the star juvenile for the Gary Moore team and Nassalam will aim to cement his place among the very best in that sphere this term in the Grade 1 Finale Juvenile Hurdle.

The four-year-old has been brutal and brilliant on his first two starts in Britain at Fontwell, beating his opposition by a combined 108 lengths, which has led Moore to test his credentials at the highest level.

He's the highest British-trained runner in the betting for the Triumph Hurdle in March and should he win in similar fashion to what he has done so far, you can expect his best-priced 14-1 odds to tumble.

Ladbrokes Committed To Safer Gambling Handicap Chase, 3m

In his pomp Double Shuffle managed to finish a remarkable second in the King George VI Chase over course and distance and, while he has not matched that form since, he could get back to winning ways in this competitive handicap chase.

The 11-year-old got within a length of the recently-retired Might Bite in the 2017 King George and, while he has not won in over four years, he showed some spark that his ability remains when third behind a rapidly progressive horse over course and distance over Christmas.

The handicapper has dropped him 2lb for that effort and with no similar sort in this contest, a heartwarming victory may be in store for the Tom George-trained veteran.

2.05 Wincanton
Paddy Power Dipper Novices' Chase (Grade 2), 2m4f

Providing Wincanton passes its morning inspection, Protektorat will bid to enhance his Cheltenham Festival claims and remain as part of Dan Skelton's team of top novice chasers with victory in this Grade 2 contest.

Protektorat: looking for Grade 2 honours over fencesCredit: Edward Whitaker

The six-year-old has looked a different prospect since switching to fences and registered a wide-margin victory at Cheltenham's November meeting when last seen, which prompted bookmakers to make him second favourite for the Marsh Novices' Chase at the festival.

Disappointingly, he only faces two rivals, including former Grade 2 winner Messire Des Obeaux, and while we may not learn much more about Protektorat in this race, it should be a nice stepping stone to far tougher targets in the spring.

Saturday tipping and analysis:

Pricewise: Tom Segal thinks last year's race might be the key to cracking Welsh National (Members' Club)

Saturday Sizzlers: Paul Kealy has a strong set of bets for Kempton with three cracking plays (Members' Club)

Big-race Trends: look for unexposed types with right-handed form in Lanzarote (Members' Club)

Paul Kealy's must-have banker at Chepstow on Saturday

The Punt Daily: Tom Collins' free horse racing tips on Saturday afternoon

Saturday's free racing tips: our tipping experts with the day's best bets

Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle (Grade 2), 2m5f

The highly-regarded McFabulous was touted as Paul Nicholls' Stayers' Hurdle horse for the season following some impressive triumphs, but he needs to return to winning ways in this rescheduled contest to get his festival claims back on track.

The seven-year-old took his time to get going over hurdles, but has made up for lost time, notably when an easy winner of a Grade 3 handicap at this track last March.

He returned with a similarly impressive performance in the Persian War Novices' Hurdle in October and, while he ran with credit in the Long Distance Hurdle last time, questions have been asked about his ability to stay three miles.

He drops back down in trip for this contest, which has been salvaged from Cheltenham's cancelled New Year's Day card, and should he get back to winning ways, it may pose a welcome dilemma for the in-form Nicholls on where to target McFabulous for the rest of the season.

McFabulous: drops back in trip for the Relkeel HurdleCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

2.35 Wincanton
MansionBet's Bet 10 Get 20 Handicap Chase, 2m4f

Last year's winner Gala Ball is back for more and aims to get his head in front for the first time since a narrow victory in this 12 months ago.

The 11-year-old has been relatively lightly raced throughout his career and only ran twice following his three-quarter length victory a year ago, but showed his ability still remains when second in a competitive handicap chase at the Ladbrokes Trophy meeting in late November.

He remains well-treated on the same mark and with plenty of his rivals holding entries elsewhere too, he could be well set to get his head back in front.

2.55 Kempton
Ladbrokes Silviniaco Conti Chase (Grade 2), 2m4½f

Ryanair Chase hope Imperial Aura will aim to continue his rapid progression in this race, which was won by King George VI Chase hero Frodon last year.

The Cheltenham Festival winner has looked a star prospect in two starts this year, most recently when a facile winner of the Grade 2 1965 Chase at Ascot in November, which capped a fine first half to the season for trainer Kim Bailey and jockey David Bass.

Imperial Aura: Ryanair Chase hope lines up in the Silviniaco Conti ChaseCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Connections avoided temptations for loftier targets over the festive period, but this is by no means an easy task with Master Tommytucker and Ascot Chase winner Riders Onthe Storm among his three rivals.

3.10 Chepstow
Coral Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase (Grade 3), 3m6½f

The delayed renewal of the 2020 Welsh Grand National has not deterred punters from keeping Secret Reprieve as the standout favourite as he bids to give Evan Williams a memorable first success in his country's race.

The seven-year-old may lack the experience of some of his rivals over fences, but he was an impressive winner of the race's trial in December.

He bids to make it two wins in succession for Welsh trainers, but faces the likes of useful yardsticks Yala Enki and Christmas In April, who would be a poignant winner for trainer Colin Tizzard as the race is run in memory of his daughter, Kim Gingell.

3.30 Kempton
Ladbrokes Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle (Listed), 2m5f

Nicky Henderson could make it three wins from the last four runnings of the Lanzarote with the unexposed Glynn, who steps up to Listed level for the first time.

Touted as a dark horse for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle last season, the seven-year-old did not make it to Cheltenham and suffered the first defeat of his career when a well-held second at Doncaster last month.

However, that was his first start in handicap company over a trip that may be too short at this stage of his career and he remains a dark horse in this field against some useful opposition, including progressive handicapper The White Mouse and Grade 2-winning juvenile hurdler Solo.

Molineaux
3.45 Wincanton
MansionBet Faller Insurance Handicap Chase, 1m7½f

Handicap chasers going for a repeat seem to be the order of the day at Wincanton as Molineaux bids to win this race for the second year in succession to conclude the day's action on ITV4.

Running in the Thistlecrack colours of John and Heather Snook and trained by Colin Tizzard, the ten-year-old was victorious by three quarters of a length 12 months ago and, while he has not won since, he looked back to near his best form when second at Ludlow last time.

He bids for victory again under Jonjo O'Neill Jr, who is likely to pick up more opportunities for Tizzard with Robbie Power remaining in Ireland, but faces the likes of fellow consistent performers Gladjou, Gardefort and Jackson Hill.

Saturday's racecards

Saturday previews and analysis:

Members' Club: stay at home, keep warm and enjoy a feast of fantastic racing on ITV4

Members' Club: strong team at happy hunting ground a good pointer to Nicky Henderson's fortunes

Can favourite Secret Reprieve end Evan Williams' wait for Welsh National glory?

Paul Nicholls on his Welsh National pair – plus key quotes from other trainers

Members' Club: picking the right profile: what does it take to win the Welsh Grand National?

Paul Kealy thinks the Finale Juvenile Hurdle is Nassalam's race to lose

'Very exciting' Protektorat out to show Grade 1 pedigree in rescheduled Dipper

McFabulous: a non-stayer or just another who failed to live up to the hype?

Which of Imperial Aura's rivals can give him the Grade 1 test he needs?

Graeme Rodway thinks Paul Nicholls has found a valuable edge for the Lanzarote

Join Members' Club Ultimate and read tipping from the likes of Pricewise and Paul Kealy, all the big interviews and features, daily comment and news analysis – plus our Ultimate Daily newsletter. Click here to sign up.