Guess who's back, back again? Stars who could return at Cheltenham and Aintree

Every fan of jump racing has their own list of favourite horses who return for new battles season after season, and there are plenty of popular stars who might be back in action at Cheltenham and Aintree this weekend. We take a look at some of the returning favourites entered up.

Coole Cody

Where? Cheltenham or Aintree

When? Entered in four races: Abu Dhabi Digital Exchange Handicap Hurdle (3.55 Cheltenham, Friday), Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (3.50 Cheltenham, Saturday), Jewson Widnes Vieux Lion Rouge Veterans' Handicap Chase (2.05 Aintree, Sunday), Jewson Southport, Bispham Handicap Hurdle (3.15 Aintree, Sunday)

Why is he a fan favourite? Evan Williams has kept plenty of starting points open for this 11-year-old, the winner of the Plate Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March. His love for Prestbury Park – he is a previous winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Racing Post Gold Cup – has rightly earned him fan favourite status and surely makes it more likely he will line-up for one of his two Cheltenham engagements.

Coole Cody: a proven talent around CheltenhamCredit: Edward Whitaker

Does He Know

Where? Cheltenham or Kelso

When? 888Sport What's Your Thinking Handicap Chase (2.05 Cheltenham, Saturday) or the Edinburgh Gin Chase (2.48 Kelso, Saturday)

Why is he a fan favourite? This likeable seven-year-old has won on six of his 13 starts and developed into a high-class novice chaser last season, winning the Grade 2 Reynoldstown at Ascot in February. He has also shown a real liking for Cheltenham including wins at the track's October meeting in each of the last two years. It would be no surprise if Kim Bailey tries to extend that sequence to three on Saturday.

Does He Know: tremendously talented chaser could bid for a third win at Cheltenham's Showcase meetingCredit: Mark Cranham

Hitman

Where? Aintree

When? Jewson St Helens Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase (2.40 Aintree, Sunday)

Why is he a fan favourite? The ultra-consistent chaser has been knocking on the door of Grade 1 company on most of his starts since joining Paul Nicholls. He has yet to make his breakthrough at the top level despite form figures of 2F322 in such esteemed company, but he is only a six-year-old and you can be sure the Ditcheat maestro is determined to get that win over the line sooner rather than later.

Knight Salute

Where? Cheltenham

When? Masterson Holdings Hurdle (2.40 Cheltenham, Saturday)

Why is he a fan favourite? From humble beginnings at Sedgefield last September, Knight Salute developed into the leading juvenile hurdler in Britain. He won six of his seven starts for Milton Harris including three Grade 2s and a Grade 1 at Aintree – albeit he won it outright in the stewards' room after an initial dead-heat with Pied Piper. He could face that rival again in an eagerly awaited rematch.

Millers Bank

Where? Aintree

When? Jewson St Helens Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase (2.40 Aintree, Sunday)

Why is he a fan favourite? Hailing from the Alex Hales yard, Millers Bank is a force over both hurdles and fences. Although disappointing on his final outing last season, he showed his class when running out a ten-length winner of the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices' Chase at Aintree. It is therefore little surprise Hales is looking to Aintree again as a possible starting point – he also finished third in the 2021 Aintree Hurdle.

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'The Champion Hurdle is our objective' - Knight Salute on the Cheltenham trail

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday