Bravemansgame is backed to show his class and come out on top in another fascinating renewal of the Betfair Chase at Haydock.
Last season's King George winner and Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up has established himself as the best staying chaser in Britain and made a satisfactory return to action at Wetherby earlier this month.
Harry Cobden looked to be sitting pretty until a final-fence blunder allowed Irish raider Gentlemansgame to secure victory in the Charlie Hall Chase.
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Paul Nicholls then hinted his charge would head straight to Kempton on St Stephen's Day for the defence of his King George crown.
However, the eight-year-old clearly came out of that race in good spirits and, with conditions at Haydock set to be better than expected, the Ditcheat handler had no hesitation in changing plans.
Much has been made of the riding arrangements for this weekend, with Daryl Jacob coming in to replace Ascot-bound Cobden, but both jockeys have similar styles and, if anything, the former should be even more determined to stake his claim to stay on board if the chance arises again.
Dan Skelton has made no secret of the fact this is Protektorat's top target and he was visually impressive when romping home by 11 lengths here 12 months ago.
However, it must be noted that he did not have that much to beat once it became apparent that A Plus Tard was badly out of sorts, plus there is a question mark over how some of Skelton's horses have performed first time out this term.
Jacob can earlier secure a confidence-boosting success on Carnfunnock in the Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle, with Stuart Crawford's six-year-old having plenty of scope for improvement entering his second season over timber.
Grey Dawning will strip fitter for a solid third behind Stay Away Fay at Exeter on his debut over fences and gets a useful 11lb off Irish raider Gaillard Du Mesnil in the Betfair Exchange Graduation Chase.
Christian Williams has high hopes for Lord Snootie this season and he looks on a nice weight in the Betfair 'Serial Winners' Stayers' Handicap Hurdle.
The lightly-raced six-year-old went into many notebooks after scoring on his handicap bow at Warwick on New Year's Eve and a couple of subsequent trips to Ireland should have helped him to toughen up mentally.
The above-mentioned Cobden will be hoping for a good day at Ascot to provide some compensation for missing out on Bravemansgame and Pic D'Orhy is rated a value bet to upset Shishkin in the Nirvana Spa 1965 Chase.
He signed off last term with a fine Grade One triumph in the Melling Chase at Aintree and has reportedly progressed again over the summer break.
Shishkin finished 16 lengths ahead when they were first and second over the same course and distance in February and is obviously a formidable foe.
Nicky Henderson's main aim is to get his charge ready for the King George, though, whereas the vibes suggest Pic D'Orhy could well be further forward for this seasonal reappearance.
He has won first time out for the last two years and it is worth remembering that Nicholls had Cyrname fired up enough to see off Henderson superstar Altior in this event back in 2019.
The enigmatic Goshen has been well backed to repeat last year's success in the Coral Hurdle, having slammed Brewin'upastorm by eight and a half lengths on that occasion.
Gary Moore's seven-year-old had a blow-out on the Flat in the Cesarewitch and should be favoured by the conditions of this contest again.
IRISH NEWS YANKEE
NAP: Bravemansgame (3.00 Haydock)
DOUBLE: Lord Snootie (2.20 Haydock)
TREBLE: Pic D’Orhy (1.30 Ascot)
YANKEE: Carnfunnock (1.15 Haydock)
