There’s some competitive action to look forward to across Britain’s three National Hunt meetings on Saturday.

Newbury is of course the highlight, with a Grade 1 on the card, but Haydock and Taunton should provide some enthralling action.

Paul Nicholls goes for a fourth consecutive win in the Challow at Newbury and one of his two runners in the race is amongst our strongest fancies for the day.

13:25 Haydock - Fortescue @ 9/2

It’s about time Henry Daly’s Fortescue returned to the winners’ enclosure and this is a cracking opportunity to do so.

Finishing fourth on his seasonal reappearance at Chepstow when last seen, the form of that race received a huge boost from the winner. Nassalam was the victor that day and he was a runaway winner of the Welsh Grand National this week.

The handicapper has dropped him 1lb for that effort which can only help his cause. This nine-year-old is also entitled to improve for the run and his first-time-out record indicates that he will.

His last win came in a good race over three miles at Ascot back in February 2022 and the gelding is currently on a 5lb lower mark.

There are some question marks with regards to the trip but his profile suggests he’s capable of winning over marathon distances.

13:50 Newbury - Irish Hill @ 4/1 

The eye-catchingly handicapped Irish Hill could be one to look out for at Newbury, as the handicapper is beginning to relent.

This son of Kingston Hill is entitled to be competitive from now on, having perhaps struggled with his rating. It was a fair effort when fourth at Kempton on his penultimate start, he had no chance with the winner but ran a good race before running out of steam.

A little disappointing over course and distance last time out, a 2lb drop in the weights should be a huge help to him.

Nicholls’ charge last won a competitive race at Ascot over an extended 2m3f in February and his current mark is 1lb lower. This makes him an attractive proposition here and a return to form could be on the cards.

15:00 Newbury - Captain Teague @ 7/2

The Grade 1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle is the big race of the day at Newbury and Nicholls’ Captain Teague can gain a fourth consecutive win in the race for his trainer.

He was a very smart bumper performer, finishing third behind A Dream To Share in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival.

Staying on strongly that day, there were clear signs of greenness towards the end of the race and he clearly wasn’t the finished article.

Nicholls’ five-year-old put in a dominant performance on his hurdles debut at Chepstow in October.

It was a bold move to pitch him straight into Grade 2 company, but he duly obliged by just shy of 10 lengths and left the impression that there was further improvement to come.

Second in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last time out, he’s probably better than he showed that day and it’s quite possible that the best is yet to come from this lad.

This certainly won’t be an easy task but it’s fair to say his trainer knows how to win the race.

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