Super six: the stars to get excited about as weekend racing returns

Quel Destin
12.50 Haydock

The Victor Ludorum does not have the best recent record of producing Triumph Hurdle winners, but Paul Nicholls will be hoping Quel Destin can make it five wins on the bounce en route to breaking that Cheltenham trend.

He had to be at his tenacious best to beat Adjali in the Grade 1 Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow, and although that rival has been put in his place by one of the leading Irish Triumph contenders since, it still amounts to strong form.

Currently a 16-1 shot for the four-year-old championship race, he will likely shorten in price if dispatching the unbeaten and hugely promising Torpillo, who ventures away from Sandown for the first time since moving to Britain.

Quel Destin could further advertise his Triumph Hurdle claimsCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Yanworth
1.55 Haydock

Alan King will be delighted to see stable star Yanworth return to action in the Rendlesham Hurdle.

Absent since finishing sixth in the Stayers' Hurdle last March, a return to Cheltenham could be on the cards next month and he could be a late bloomer in a market with few stars in.

It is easy to forget the nine-year-old is a classy, dual Grade 1-winning performer at his best and if he shows that ability remains, he will be significantly shorter than his current price of 33-1 in places on the Thursday of the festival.

Monalee: faces three rivals in the Red Mills ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Monalee
2.30 Gowran Park

Gowran's loss could be Henry de Bromhead's gain. While the unexpected absence of Gold Cup favourite Presenting Percy is a blow to the course on one of the track's marquee days, the Monalee camp will not be bothered and the eight-year-old could advertise his claims for either the Gold Cup or, more likely, the Ryanair Chase, in the Red Mills Chase.

A well-beaten second in last season's RSA Chase behind Presenting Percy, his best effort of this season came on his last run when second to Kemboy in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown.

The 2m4f Grade 2 is not a walkover though, with Anibale Fly, Edwulf and Killultagh Vic all very capable opponents.

2.45 Ascot

Paul Nicholls has gone to great lengths to develop Clan Des Obeaux into the top-flight performer he's always thought he could be since he arrived from France in September 2015.

The seven-year-old duly announced his arrival on the big stage with a commanding performance in the King George on Boxing Day and looks to put his Cheltenham claims on the line again in the Betfair Denman Chase, where he will face Terrefort, Thomas Patrick and Ballyhill.

The race has played host to some of the best Gold Cup winners in recent memory, with Kauto Star (2007), Denman (2008), Coneygree (2015) and Native River (2018) all doubling up in March.

Al Dancer is strongly fancied for the rearranged Betfair HurdleCredit: Grossick Racing

Al Dancer
3.20 Ascot

Newbury's loss is Ascot's gain on Saturday and the Betfair Hurdle could once again have a big impact on the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

Kalashnikov triumphed in the race last year before he was agonisingly denied in the festival curtain raiser, and Nigel Twiston-Davies has lined up the same path for Al Dancer, a 10-1 shot for the Supreme, ever since the talented grey bolted up in a Cheltenham handicap in December.

However, the six-year-old has the small matter of 13 rivals, including fellow smart novices Getaway Trump and Didtheyleaveuoutto, to overcome before his connections can turn their attentions to their bid for some Grade 1 glory.

Waiting Patiently
3.55 Ascot

What's in a name? Plenty in Waiting Patiently's case. Ruth Jefferson's flagbearer has been luckless this season, firstly with the unseasonably dry weather and secondly when agonisingly hampered by Bristol De Mai and unseating Brian Hughes with a circuit to run in the King George.

Don't forget the performance he produced in this race last year however, as he motored through the field and picked up the gallant Cue Card after the final fence.

He's sure to have more on his plate this time around, however, as Nicholls has never been afraid of running his stable stars against each other and pits Cyrname, who tore apart a handicap over this course and distance last time out, against Grade 1 winner Politologue.

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