Mullins hopes to crown his next star and is the Triumph Hurdle winner at Chepstow? Five questions we want answered on Saturday

Saturday's racing is every bit as deep as Boxing Day when it comes to top-class action. Aside from our in-depth previews of the very biggest betting races, here are five questions we are hoping to have answered across a brilliant day's racing.

Will we see the Triumph Hurdle winner at Chepstow?

1.40 Chepstow - Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle

You have to go back to Defi Du Seuil in 2016 to find the last winner of the Finale to land the Triumph Hurdle, but this year's running is likely to have a major bearing on the market for the Cheltenham Festival contest.

Gary Moore has been responsible for two of the last four winners and relies on the exciting Macktoad, who is a general 12-1 shot for the Triumph Hurdle. Winner of an AQPS bumper in France, he easily accounted for a couple of these rivals on his British debut at Sandown this month, a race the yard won with Goshen in 2019 before his dramatic last-flight unseat at the Cheltenham Festival.

Macktoad (nearest) could strike for Gary and Josh Moore at ChepstowCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Macktoad's victory at Sandown was on soft ground, but he won on a quicker surface in France and does not have the most rounded action, so he could be even better suited to less-testing conditions. 

His biggest danger could come from Manlaga, who readily landed a conditions hurdle at Auteuil on her hurdling debut in March and has since been bought by JP McManus and joined Nicky Henderson. She is 12-1 for the Triumph, too.

Will the Future Champions Novice Hurdle crown another new star?

1.47 Leopardstown - Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle

This Grade 1 contest invariably throws up a top-class horse with Sizing John, Jezki, Hurricane Fly and Solerina some of the most notable winners this century and this season's edition features a thoroughly unexposed field.

Le Divin Enfant did not come off the bridle to win at Thurles last time but it is his stablemate Love Me Tender who intrigues me. He is unbeaten in three starts and his jumping has been absolutely electric on both his starts over obstacles. He breezed in by six and a half lengths in an admittedly weak Grade 3 race last time but he made a big impression on the clock. 

Le Divin Enfant: could he be a future star for Willie Mullins?Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

He is not proven yet on soft ground but the surface at Leopardstown should be just about right for him and he is a fascinating contender.

Of the rest, Skylight Hustle could not have been more impressive when streaking 21 lengths clear at Fairyhouse last time, also impressing on the clock, and is a top prospect for the in-form Gordon Elliott team, as is Royal Bond winner Koktail Brut. 

Talk The Talk and Mister Pessimistic, both unbeaten over hurdles, add further intrigue to a contest which could crown a Supreme favourite soon after they cross the line.

Is there about to be a Champion Chase assault launched at Kempton?

2.30 Kempton - Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Handicap Chase

At the time, the Haldon Gold Cup did not jump out as an excellent piece of form. Thistle Ask was placed beautifully to follow up his Wetherby win the previous week, while runner-up Saint Segal was race-fit too.

JPR One, left well behind in third that day, has since run a couple of big races in defeat, getting back to his very best. Saint Segal has also won emphatically at Kelso, winning a £70,000 race with tons in hand.

Thistle Ask: renews his rivalry with Saint Segal at KemptonCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The first two from Exeter meet in the Desert Orchid at Kempton and look like the two to focus on again. The stakes have been raised a bit, too, because from watching the Shloer and Tingle Creek you could easily convince yourself that there is space at the table for another top-class two-mile chaser, at least among the British contingent.

Thistle Ask and Saint Segal are now rated 146 and 155, marks that put them on the verge of outgrowing handicaps. Whoever wins here might be ready to step up and take on Jonbon, L'Eau Du Sud and others in the Clarence House next month.

What can we expect from the 2023 Tingle Creek third at Wetherby?

2.45 Wetherby - William Hill Castleford Handicap Chase

ITV's inability to accommodate Wetherby's Castleford Chase is symptomatic of the frantic nature of the festive period rather than a slight on the race.

This valuable 1m7f handicap features a host of Saturday horses including 2023 Tingle Creek third Haddex Des Obeaux, who ran to a Racing Post Rating of 165 when only giving best to Jonbon and Edwardstone at Sandown two starts ago. 

Madara: makes his first start in over a year for Dan SkeltonCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Haddex Des Obeaux will have needed his stable debut for Donald McCain in the Shloer Chase following 23 months off the track. He was uncharacteristically held up and it will be noteworthy if he reverts to forceful tactics under Brian Hughes.

Big prices about him highlight the depth in this field. Madara was second in the 2024 December Gold Cup off this mark when last seen for Dan Skelton, who also saddles last season's winner Harper's Brook.

Will another top handicapper of the future emerge at Chepstow?

3.25 Chepstow - Coral "Pipped-At-The Post" Payouts Handicap Chase

As broad-brush pieces of advice go, 'pay attention to the undercard on big days' is a pretty good one. It runs from maidens on big Saturdays in summer to races like the 2m3½f handicap chase at Chepstow, which stands out from other £35,000 contests by being on the same card as the Welsh National.

Recent winners include Lowry's Bar, Fugitif, Cepage and Aso, all of whom went on to make their presence felt in higher grades. This year's renewal looks really competitive. In fact, it made my personal horse tracker ping more than the feature race did.

Toss Of A Coin: made a winning debut for new connections this monthCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Donnacha won over course and distance in February and ran a big race behind an improver at Exeter last time. Royal Jewel flopped in that same race, but until then had looked really promising. Toss Of A Coin was revived last time on his debut for Alan Jones and Ben Solo might be the most interesting of all, even if he did get turned over when odds-on for a race on the same card as Toss Of A Coin.

Whatever wins is very likely to have earned it. Going by recent history, they will also have earned a shot at something bigger.

More Raceday Intel:

Rebecca Curtis and Sam Thomas flying the flag for home team as they bid to continue fine recent run in Welsh Grand National 

Welsh Grand National 2025 pinstickers' guide: runners, ratings and key quotes for one of the year's biggest betting races  

'The romantics could come out on top' - Keith Melrose on a red-hot Welsh Grand National 

'He's not a hard horse to get fit and we haven't missed a beat with him' - Majborough v Marine Nationale in a stunning showdown at Leopardstown 

'He’s in cracking form' - can King George-winning trainer Ben Pauling land another big prize at Kempton? 

Differing opinions among Irish panel on who represents the value in a fiercely competitive Paddy Power Chase 

'He looked impressive and he's one to watch for Cheltenham' - Nick Scholfield joins the panel for Welsh Grand National day 

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