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

Trainer

Paul Nicholls was out of luck with his weekend runners at Cheltenham's November meeting but that rare blank has not stopped him from adding to his impressive tally of November winners with four victories this week, including a treble at Wincanton on Thursday.

However, Saturday winners are what the Ditcheat trainer thrives on and he sends out 14 runners across the country as he continues his mission to reclaim his trainers' championship crown this season.

Two-time King George VI Chase hero Clan Des Obeaux makes his seasonal comeback in the Betfair Chase (3.00) at Haydock – a race Nicholls has won a record six times with Kauto Star (2006, 2007, 2009, 2011) and Siviniaco Conti (2012, 2014) – while the enigmatic Master Tommytucker (1.15) and Flic Ou Voyou (12.10) form the rest of his battalion at the Merseyside track.

Saturday's cards

At Ascot, he unleashes his two most noteworthy recruits from Willie Mullins' yard with Real Steel in the Chanelle Pharma 1965 Chase (2.05) and Laurina in the Coral Hurdle (2.40). The admirable Black Corton also takes his opportunity in the 1965 Chase, while Capeland bids for back-to-back successes in the Hurst Park Handicap Chase (3.17).

If that's not enough for Nicholls, he also has a representative at Huntingdon with Golden Gift (3.08) in the 3m1f maiden hurdle on what could be a momentous day for the 11-time champion trainer.

Jockey

Nicholls' stable jockey Harry Cobden has been in similarly blistering form this month and instead of heading north to Haydock for the ride on Clan Des Obeaux, he remains at Ascot for a plum book of rides for his boss.

Unsurprisingly, his three standout mounts are the previously mentioned Real Steel (2.05), Laurina (2.40) and Capeland (3.17), but he also gets the leg up on three exciting prospects in Southfield Harvest in the 2m5½f novice hurdle (12.20), Highland Hunter (12.55) and the unraced Kandoo Kid in the bumper (3.50).

Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden have been in flying form throughout NovemberCredit: Edward Whitaker

Before racing on Friday, Cobden had ridden 55 winners this season and is hot on the heels of reigning champion Brian Hughes, whose 57 victories put him top of the jump jockeys' championship. It would be no surprise if Cobden closed that narrow gap across the weekend.

Horse

Imperial Aura has been a leading light as part of trainer Kim Bailey and jockey David Bass's memorable first half of the jumps campaign and he bids to take another step up the ladder in the Chanelle Pharma 1965 Chase (2.05).

This year's winner of the final running of the 2m4f novice handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival showed glimpses of his star quality on his seasonal reappearance when he easily dispatched his rivals in the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase this month, looking like a high-class Graded performer in the process.

The seven-year-old avoided a slog off top weight in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham last weekend for this Grade 2 contest but still faces a stern task, with Real Steel and Grade 1 winners Black Corton and Itchy Feet in opposition.

However, if he was to be successful, his claims of being the most exciting up-and-coming chaser in Britain would be greatly enhanced and more prestigious targets could await in the near future.

Race

Year in year out, the Betfair Chase (3.00) repeatedly throws up fields packed with star quality and Saturday's race is no exception, with Britain's opening Grade 1 of the season likely to have significant ramifications on this season's staying chase division.

Lostintranslation, who provided an emotional success for connections last year, is back to defend his title and makes his first appearance since running a mighty race to finish third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. He bids to become the fifth horse to win multiple runnings of the contest, despite the race's relatively short history.

Lostintranslation: Cheltenham Gold Cup third bids for a back-to-back successes in the Betfair ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

However, the Colin Tizzard-trained eight-year-old does not face an easy task, with the 2017 and 2018 hero Bristol De Mai back for a crack at reclaiming his crown at a track he relishes. If that is not enough, there is added spice as dual King George VI hero Clan Des Obeaux, who was so imperious at Kempton last Christmas, is set to make his return too.

It speaks volumes about the quality of those horses when former Irish and Punchestown Gold Cup winner Bellshill will be a rank outsider, and it will be another pulsating edition of a race that could establish Britain's leading early three-mile chaser.

Read more:

Goshen misses Coral Hurdle as just three are declared for Ascot Grade 2

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Lostintranslation 'looking perfect' in preparation for Betfair Saturday showdown (Members' Club subscribers)

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