NUMITOR can grab victory again in the Unibet Middle Distance Veterans’ Handicap Chase (Series Final) (3.15pm) at Haydock Park on Saturday afternoon.

Last year’s winner Numitor can land back-to-back victories on Challengers Series finals day at the Merseyside track. Heather Main’s 11-year-old took this Series Finale 12 months ago in fine style and arrives back on Merseyside in even better form. He has won three Veterans’ Middle Distance Handicap Chases in four starts since October. After victory at Wincanton on his return from his summer break in October, he landed a neck success over Joe Tizzard’s Copperhead with his stable-mate – the reopposing Eldorado Allen – back in third at Cheltenham in December.

Having surprisingly being pulled up at Market Rasen in January – a fast pace and sharp track were given as reasons by trainer Main – he bounced back to form to score at Ascot last month. He had not won for nearly two years before his success at Haydock 12 months ago and although he will race off a 13lb higher mark than last year, everything appears in place for him to triumph again. Another course and distance winner, Dubai Days, from the Nick Alexander stable, looks to be the chief danger to Numitor.

DUKE OF DECEPTION can win the JCB Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (3.50pm) ahead of stable-mate Good Work. The eight-year-old – who hails from the Cheshire stable of Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero – won this contest, formerly the Tim Molony Handicap Chase, 12 months ago. He hasn’t won since and is 7lb higher in the handicap despite that. But he has run well in almost every start since, finishing third at Aintree Racecourse on Boxing Day and runner-up on his two most recent starts at Warwick and Haydock last month over longer distances of 3m5f and 3m4½f respectively. He has hinted at a return to winning ways and dropped back in trip to 3m1½f he may be able to come out on top in this four-runner contest.

Stuart Edmunds’ BLUEGRASS can win the Challenger Two Mile Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (2.05pm). The six-year-old has won three times this season, most recently when scoring in the Silver Cup Handicap Hurdle at Fakenham last month. He can get the better of chiefly the Harry Derham-trained Givemefive to triumph again.

Trainer Dan Skelton remains locked in a thrilling battle for the trainer’s title with reigning champion Willie Mullins and he may add some much-needed cash to his total with victories from LAND GENIE and SOLEIL D’ARIZONA in the JCB Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Final Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (2.40pm) and the Watch On Racing TV Mares’ Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (1.30pm) respectively. Mullins' 10 winners at last month’s Cheltenham Festival and his victories with Nick Rockett in the Randox Grand National at Aintree and Captain Cody in the Scottish version last weekend put him within touching distance of Skelton. But the Warwickshire handler remains ahead at this stage before next Saturday's season finale at Sandown. And Land Genie can triumph to edge him a little further in front.

The seven-year-old, who was formerly trained by Jonjo and AJ O’Neill, has run well on all three starts for Skelton – finishing second on his first one at Exeter, winning a Challenger Series Qualifier at Warwick in December, and then finishing fourth as the same track the following month. He can score again at Haydock ahead of chiefly, the Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith-trained Burrows Hall, who is bidding for a four-timer.

After Soleil d'Arizona was pulled up on her second start for Skelton in November, the French import has had wind surgery. Now she can return to the form of her British debut second at Exeter and land a first victory over obstacles.

Fergal O’Brien’s MAHLER MOON can win the JCB Hydrogen Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (4.25pm). The seven-year-old, formerly trained by Skelton, scored for O’Brien for the first time in four starts at Newbury last month. He can back that up with another win at Haydock.

Jake Coulson’s RED HUGH can win the finale on Merseyside, the JCB Fastrac Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (5pm).

At Musselburgh KIHAVAH can win the Virgin Bet Queen’s Cup (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race) (3.35pm). Adrian Keatley’s eight-year-old was a fine second in the Ebor at York last August and went on to score at Ayr over 1m5f the following month. He has run well over hurdles in three runs since, but back on the Flat he may be able to score again.

Course and distance winner JER BATT can go in again in the Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Scottish Sprint Cup Handicap (3pm). David and Nicola Barron’s five-year-old won at Haydock last August and ran some fine races in defeat including when second at Doncaster on his most recent start in October. Off a 5lb higher mark than his last success, he can make a winning return at Musselburgh.

Charlie Johnston’s BENACRE, who was a narrow second to Jonny Concrete over course and distance last weekend, can go one better in the Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Silver Arrow Handicap (2.25pm).

Liverpool FC fan Karl Burke’s OUR MIGHTY MO – a winner twice at Hamilton and Haydock as a two-year-old in 2024 – can make a winning return stepped up to a mile in the Livescore Bet Best Odds Daily Royal Mile Handicap (1.50pm).

Others who can score at Musselburgh are Charlie Fellowes’ IVATT in the Darley EBF Maiden Stakes (GBB/GBBPlus Race) (4.10pm); the Julie Camacho-trained ZAPPHIRE in the Livescore Bet Fillies’ Handicap (4.45pm); and course and distance winner ZARZYNI – from the stable of David and Nicola Barron – in the finale, the Virgin Bet Handicap (5.17pm) 5f RTV

At Carlisle Lizzie Quinlan’s SPECIAL RATE can make it third-time lucky after being second on his two most recent starts in the Kenny Stewart Roadshow 65th Birthday Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (3.27pm). Others who can triumph at Carlisle are Sam England’s TOP OF THE BAY in the Radio Carlisle Taxis Novices’ Handicap Chase (2.17pm); the Nick Alexander-trained BEL AMIGO in the Flat Season Opener 19th May Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (2.52pm); and KILMORE ROCK, from Susan Corbett’s stable, in the Bell & Plate 25th June Handicap Hurdle (4.02pm).

Wright Ones

HAYDOCK PARK

1.30pm Soleil D’arizona
2.05pm Bluegrass
2.40pm Land Genie
3.15pm Numitor (NAP)
3.50pm Duke Of Deception
4.25pm Mahler Moon
5pm Red Hugh

MUSSELBURGH

1.50pm Our Mighty Mo
2.25pm Benacre
3pm Jer Batt
3.35pm Kihavah
4.10pm Ivatt
4.45pm Zapphire
5.17pm Zarzyni

CARLISLE

1.42pm Russian Virtue
2.17pm Top Of The Bay
2.52pm Bel Amigo
3.27pm Special Rate
4.02pm Kilmore Rock
4.37pm Homme D’Un Soir
5.12pm See A Stride

HUNTINGDON

1.54pm Klapton Boy
2.29pm Lucky Rose
3.04pm Give It To Me Oj
3.39pm Aotano
4.14pm Muskoka
4.49pm Bobalot
5.24pm Johnny Hooves

NEWTON ABBOT

1.59pm Walk On High
2.34pm Outside Adesa
3.09pm Time To Bite
3.44pm Opticality
4.19pm Bucksy Des Epeires
4.54pm Williamdeconqueror
5.29pm Christopher Wood

WOLVERHAMPTON

5.20pm Billy McGarry
5.55pm Red Sand
6.30pm Gincident
7pm Magic Runner
7.30pm Moon Over The Sea
8pm Kensington Agent
8.30pm Auntie Jo

SUNDAY’S NAP: Bob Bob Ricard (Plumpton 2.20pm)