Confirmed runners and riders for the Badger Beer Chase and Britain's other big races on Saturday - plus a tip and free bet

Frodon will take on ten rivals when he bids for back-to-back victories in the Badger Beer Handicap Chase (2.25) at Wincanton on Saturday.

The 2020 King George winner successfully shouldered top weight to land the £70,000 contest last year and could provide Paul Nicholls with a record-extending 12th win in the race should he repeat that feat.

Bryony Frost guided the Nicholls-trained Present Man to back-to-back successes in the 3m1f premier handicap in 2017 and 2018 and the rider renews her acquaintance with Frodon for the popular 11-year-old's final season in training.

Harry Cobden won the Badger Beer for Nicholls aboard Give Me A Copper in 2019 and he partners Frodon's stablemate Threeunderthrufive.

Anthony Honeyball is responsible for more than a quarter of the 11-runner line-up with Sam Brown the highest rated of the trainer's team, which also includes Gustavian, Blackjack Magic and Forward Plan.

Welsh Grand National runner-up The Big Breakaway and Becher Chase winner Ashtown Lad make their seasonal reappearances.

Dan Skelton, who also runs Ballygrifincottage, is prepping Ashtown Lad for a repeat bid at the Becher over the Grand National fences in December.

Frodon’s owner Paul Vogt also has interest earlier on Wincanton’s card when Knappers Hill attempts to get off the mark over fences at the second attempt in the Grade 2 Boodles 'Rising Stars' Novices' Chase (1.50).

The seven-year-old was second on his chasing debut at Chepstow last month and boasts course-winning form having landed last season's Elite Hurdle.

Nicholls bids for successive wins in that Grade 2 event (3.00) with Scottish Champion Hurdle hero Rubaud, who landed a Kempton Listed race on his reappearance.

Badger Beer runners and riders

Frodon Bryony Frost
Sam Brown Jonathan Burke
The Big Breakaway Brendan Powell
Threeunderthrufive Harry Cobden
Courtland James Bowen
Ashtown Lad Tristan Durrell (5)
Certainly Red Marc Goldstein
Ballygrifincottage Lorcan Williams
Gustavian Richie McClernon
Blackjack Magic Rex Dingle
Forward Plan Ben Godfrey (3)

bet365: 7-2 Frodon, Threeunderthrufive, 5 The Big Breakaway, 7 Ashtown Lad, Sam Brown, 14 Ballygrifincottage, Blackjack Magic, Certainly Red, Gustavian, 20 Forward Plan, Courtland

Badger Beer Handicap Chase betting tip and 1-2-3 prediction

By Stuart Redding

1 Ashtown Lad
2 Frodon
3 Certainly Red

Ashtown Lad ended last season with a lacklustre run in the Topham, but he will go close if back to his best in this competitive handicap. He stayed on well to beat Gesskille at Aintree in December and wasn't beaten far in two subsequent hurdles. The roof will come off if the popular veteran Frodon is able to repeat last year's victory, and he cannot be ignored in a race connections have targeted for some time.

Ashtown Lad14:25 Wincanton

View Racecard

Jky: Tristan Durrell (5lb)Tnr: Dan Skelton

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Eleven in contention for Grand Sefton

Eleven have been declared for the Saturday's BoyleSports Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (2.45), although the first race of the season on the Grand National course will have to come through a Friday morning inspection due to areas of the track being waterlogged.

Last year's runner-up Gesskille attempts to go one better in a line-up that also includes Sky Bet Chase winner Cooper's Cross and Topham second Fantastic Lady.

The Virgin Bet November Handicap (3.45) attracted 31 declarations but, with the traditional Flat turf season finale moved from Doncaster to the all-weather at Newcastle, only a maximum of 14 can run in the £70,000 feature contest. Ebor fourth Euchen Glen and ante-post favourite Local Dynasty are among those to get a run.

Grand Sefton runners and riders

Fantastic Lady Nico de Boinville
Minella Trump Theo Gillard
Nassalam Caoilin Quinn (5)
Born By The Sea Phillip Enright
Gesskille Henry Brooke
Cooper's Cross Sam Coltherd
Frero Banbou ​Charlie Deutsch
Ganapathi Sean Bowen
Percussion Gavin Sheehan
Yccs Portocervo Sam Twiston-Davies
Half Shot Sean Quinlan

William Hill: 7-2 Gesskille, 6 Fantastic Lady, 7 Born By The Sea, Nassalam, 8 Cooper's Cross, Percussion, 10 Frero Banbou, Half Shot, 20 Minella Trump, Ganapathi, Yccs Portocervo

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Paddy Power betting sign-up offer: terms and conditions

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