There’s little doubt that Bravemansgame is the more talented of the pair but there are reasons to believe that Protektorat may get the better of the argument this time, mainly that has been his target from the start of the season and he is sure to be primed for a massive run.

In contrast, this Haydock assignment was not part of the plan for Bravemansgame until after his surprise defeat to Gentlemansgame in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on his seasonal reappearance earlier this month.

That he rocks up here suggests he must be showing Paul Nicholls the right signs at home but the fact that this race is unquestionably an afterthought raises niggling doubts.

As does that Wetherby reversal when a repeat of the final-fence error that proved costly in the Punchestown Gold Cup on his final start last season opened the door for Gentlemansgame to land the spoils.

Bravemansgame looks sure to be better for that run but he’ll need to be if he is to get the better of Protektorat.

Dan Skelton’s charge hasn’t run since last season’s Gold Cup but that can be viewed as a positive in Protektorat’s case as the eight-year-old goes well fresh, a statement backed up by his emphatic victory off a similarly lengthy break in this race last year.

It could be argued that the 2022 renewal fell apart somewhat given hot favourite A Plus Tard never went a yard but Protektorat was still mightily impressive in recording at 11-length win. In reality, this is Protektorat’s Gold Cup and if he is to bag another big prize this season it will surely come today.

Elsewhere at Haydock, it could be super Saturday for the Irish as Slate Lane is fancied to stretch his unbeaten record for Emmet Mullins to four races by winning the Betfair "Serial Winners" Stayers' Handicap Hurdle. The selection is up 14lbs for his most recent win, at Newton Abbot in September, but that substantial hike may not be enough to stop him going in again.

Gaillard Di Mesnil can give Willie Mullins a rare Haydock winner by taking the Betfair Exchange Graduation Chase while Stuart Crawford’s Carnfunnock has decent claims in the Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle.

The return of Shishkin is the headline act at Ascot and it’ll be a big disappointment if he fails to deliver in the Grade Two Nirvana Spa 1965 Chase.

Principal rival Pic D’Orhy did end last season by winning a Grade One at Aintree but he was 16 lengths behind Shishkin when the pair clashed over course and distance last January.

He should get a good deal closer this time but if the real Shishkin turns up, he won’t be beaten. An impressive win here will set Nicky Henderson’s charge up perfectly for a tilt at the King George on St Stephen’s Day.

Stablemate Theatre Glory may be able to bag the Coral Hurdle, other Grade Two on the Ascot card.

In truth the race revolves around Goshen, a horse who lurches from one extreme to the other. When he’s good, as he was in this race last year, he’s very good, but he’s at least as likely to be awful, as he was in three of his six starts last season.

Theatre Glory doesn’t have the same level of raw talent but she’s a likeable mare who consistently runs to a decent level. At the likely prices, she looks a safer bet.

Like Theatre Glory, Boothill is a consistent sort and Harry Fry’s horse is fancied to follow up his course and distance success of three weeks by winning the Jim Barry Hurst Park Handicap Chase.

Selections 

Haydock 1.15: Carnfunnock 

Ascot 1.30: Shishkin 

 Haydock 1.50: Gaillard Di Mesnil 

Ascot 2.05: Theatre Glory 

Haydock 2.20: Slate Lane 

Haydock 3.00: Protektorat (NB) 

Ascot 3.15: Boothill (Nap) 

 Haydock 3.35: Credo