What we can learn from previous runnings of Saturday's big races

The big races come thick and fast in the run-up to Christmas and the best of Saturday's action comes from Aintree and Sandown. Here we look at three of those races and what the results of the last ten years can tell us about what might happen this season . . .

Class often comes to the fore in this Grade 2 with Protektorat successful last season before finishing third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He lowered the colours of A Plus Tard on his reappearance in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November.

Native River won this race in 2019 two seasons after winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup having also landed what is now the Coral Gold Cup and the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow in 2016.

Many Clouds, in whom the race is named in honour, was successful in 2016 after winning the Grand National in 2015.

Two-time Cheltenham Festival winner Don Poli landed this contest in 2015 as well two other races at Grade 1 level.

Close Brothers Henry VIII Novices' Chase (1.45 Sandown)

Last year's race is a good place to start as the winner, Edwardstone, runs later on Saturday's card in the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase.

His victory in the Henry VIII Novices' Chase last season was the second in a five-race winning sequence culminating in success in the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Sceau Royal, who also won this race for Alan King, was successful in 2017 and has been a reliable performer for the Barbury Castle trainer subsequently. He has plied his trade since over hurdles and fences, with a further eight victories, including five at Grade 2 level.

The most famous winner in the last ten years is the mighty Altior, who won this Grade 1 contest on just his second start over fences. The Nicky Henderson-trained superstar won his next 11 races as part of an 19-race unbeaten sequence during which he won the Arkle and the Champion Chases twice.

Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (2.55 Sandown)

Greaneteen returns for a third crack at the Grade 1 highlight having finished second in 2020 and first last season.

Although he was beaten in his next two starts, he won the Celebration Chase at Sandown in April and returned with a bang with victory in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter in November, when he beat Dolos by seven lengths conceding 20lb to his stablemate.

Paul Nicholls has a good record in this pre-Christmas highlight with Politologue a two-time winner in 2017 and 2020. Between those victories, he won the Champion Chase at Cheltenham and the Melling Chase at Aintree.

Altior won this in 2018 and no more needs to be said about him that hasn't been already, while Sire De Grugy won this in 2013 and 2015. He is another Champion Chase hero along with 2012 winner Sprinter Sacre.

William Hill: 11-8 Ahoy Senor, 11-2 Chantry House, Sounds Russian, 6 Noble Yeats, 8 Sam Brown, 9 Dashel Drasher

Close Brothers Henry VIII Novices' Chase (1.45 Sandown, Saturday)

William Hill: 1-3 Jonbon, 100-30 Boothill, 12 Unexpected Party, 80 Honneur D'Ajonc

Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (2.55 Sandown, Saturday)

William Hill: Evens Shishkin, 15-8 Greaneteen, 13-2 Edwardstone, 11 Gentleman De Mee, 20 Funambule Sivola, 66 Dunvegan

Read this next:

'He should be spot on for this' - 20-1, 16-1 and 5-1 tips for Saturday's racing

Sign up here. Place a minimum £10 bet on the Sportsbook at odds of minimum 1/2 (1.5) and get £30 in free bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.