Five horses to follow at Ayr, Wetherby and Ascot on Saturday

The National Hunt season is steadily hitting top gear and the big-race action continues on Racing TV this weekend. Old foes Ahoy Senor and Bravemansgame are likely to clash again in the Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase, and there are plenty of other exciting races to look forward to.

The eight weeks in the lead-up to the Christmas period is a fantastic time for Jumps fans, with a host of Grade One events and unexposed novices putting their lofty reputations on the line all adding interest.

I’ve picked out five horses to follow on Saturday, incorporating a mix of established stars with some more under-the-radar picks.

Remember to enjoy the best of the National Hunt season live on Racing TV over the coming months!

Trainer: Gary Moore.

Race:1.30 Ascot.

Gary Moore has won this race twice in the past five years and he unleashes stable star Goshen in this year’s contest for his debut over fences.

The six-year-old needs no introductions given his infamous Triumph Hurdle unseat at the final flight, through to his swashbuckling victories at the likes of Sandown and Wincanton last season.

The plan was always to go over fences at some stage, and the larger obstacles could well play to his head-strong strengths. This race looks set to be a fascinating contest, too, with Cobblers Dream, Gowel Road and Samarrive in opposition.

Ascot also clearly suits given he prefers going right-handed and, given the affinity with which he is held by Jump racing fans, this is one race punters will not want to miss on Saturday.

Trainer: Olly Murphy.

A £37,000 purchase, Washington confirmed the initial promise shown in bumpers (in which he remained unbeaten) to make a winning debut over hurdles at Bangor last season.

He remained consistent throughout and was kept busy by connections with five runs, the last of which saw him run a race full of promise when third in a competitive handicap at Aintree.

Always travelling powerfully, his finishing kick was arguably a little disappointing, but he still stayed on strongly for third. An imposing sort, he should have come on a bundle during the summer, and he could develop into a smart hurdler this season.

Given he also goes well fresh, he has to be strongly considered for this assignment.

Trainer: Sam Thomas.

This son of Midnight Legend won three times before chasing home the classy Funambule Sivola at Doncaster in January and is an exciting chaser who is only going to improve further.

Strongly fancied for the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival, he was pulled out of the race due to the going, but surely would have gone close if ground conditions had been in his favour.

He arguably seemed over the top at Aintree on his final start where his jumping lacked fluency and he was beaten entering the home straight.

He remains a chaser to follow in all the big handicaps this season and there is definitely scope for more improvement off a rating of 147.

Trainer: Lucinda Russell.

It is fantastic to have a classy clash so early in the season between two distinguished stars - Bravemansgame and Ahoy Senor. The former has the King George as his early-season target and, given the manner in which he cruised to victory in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase last year, he is cleary a serious contender for that contest.

Paul Nicholls pulled his stable star out of the Brown Advisory due to unfavourable ground conditions, and was reported to have been over the top when disappointing at Aintree, with his Cheltenham preparation leaving its mark.

The seven-year-old is a deserved favourite here, but Ahoy Senor looks the one to side with. He is already proven at Wetherby having beaten Grand National hero Noble Yeats and, out of the two, he looks the more likely Gold Cup contender based upon his cracking second in the Brown Advisory.

He backed that up with Grade One glory at Aintree, and while he may well just need this outing, Lucinda Russell and Peter Scudamore could be in for a big year with their stable star.

Trainer: Ann Hamilton.

They may only have four horses in training, but Ann and Ian Hamilton enjoyed tremendous success last season, highlighted by the exploits of Nuts Well and Tommy’s Oscar. However, one of their most interesting contenders for this season is Pay The Piper.

Has was smartly campaigned last season competing solely in small-field events, and ran well behind the likes of Minella Trump and Bravemansgame.

The heavy ground looked to be his undoing at Kelso on his final start, after which connections pulled up trumps. He has had plenty of time to mature and this could be the beginning of a big season for a chaser who still has plenty more to come for his small, but shrewd, operation.

Trainer: Nicky Martin.

Race: 2.30 Carlisle.

It is fantastic to see Nicky Martin’s stable star back on track having missed the entirety of last season through injury.

This year’s Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase once again has a strong look to it, with the likes of Erne River and Corach Rambler potentially in opposition.

However, Bear Gyhlls has the talent to make an impact here. Successful at Exeter in January 2021, that performance highlighted his class and there was no disgrace with his fourth in that year’s Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle behind Bob Olinger, Gaillard Du Mesnil and Bravemansgame.

Chasing has always been the plan since his setback, and this looks a good chance to prove his effectiveness at a stiff track, which takes some jumping. It would be great if he could develop into a top-class chaser for his small yard, with this contest sure to prove informative.