Six jumps stars to note from this weekend's entries at Cheltenham and Aintree

The jumps season cranks up another notch this weekend as action returns to Cheltenham on Friday and Saturday with the two-day Showcase meeting. If that's not enough, the Monet's Garden Old Roan Chase takes centre stage on Aintree's classy card on Sunday. Here are six high-profile entries to look out for . . .

Galvin
2.25 Cheltenham, Friday

Galvin has seen plenty of action already this season but looks set to continue for the time being and could take up his entry in the 3m½f novice chase.

Galvin: could bid to enhance early Cheltenham Festival claims this FridayCredit: Alain Barr (racingpost.com/photos)

Gordon Elliott's six-year-old was second at this year's Cheltenham Festival and, after three easy victories during the summer, he may test his credentials at Prestbury Park once more before another trip to the festival where his trainer has said he is tailor-made for the National Hunt Chase.

Fusil Raffles
4.45 Cheltenham, Friday or 2.40 Cheltenham, Saturday

A Grade 1 winner as a juvenile, Fusil Raffles was expected to be a lively contender for the Champion Hurdle last season, but despite winning the Elite Hurdle he failed to live up to expectations.

However, he made a faultless display on his debut over fences at Uttoxeter last month and looks set to take his chance at Cheltenham with two entries at the meeting, with Daryl Jacob jocked up to ride the five-year-old in the 2m novice chase on the Friday.

Allmankind
2.05 Cheltenham, Saturday

Grade 1 winner Allmankind was a revelation last season and Britain's leading juvenile hurdler is set to make his seasonal bow in the Mastersons Holdings Hurdle on Saturday.

He blitzed his rivals with front-running tactics last term, but has not been seen since a modest effort in the Triumph Hurdle and must bounce back against unexposed rivals to stake his claim as a Champion Hurdle contender.

Copperhead
3.15 Cheltenham, Saturday

Copperhead improved 30lb during his first season over fences and his 17-length victory in the Reynoldstown Novices' Chase saw him sent off as short as 6-1 for the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Copperhead: progressive chaser may return over hurdlesCredit: Alan Crowhurst

He was beaten when falling at the last that day and Colin Tizzard might exploit his 5lb lower mark over hurdles in this Pertemps qualifier, which could open up his options over hurdles and fences should he shape encouragingly.

Frodon
3.50 Cheltenham, Saturday

The 2019 Ryanair Chase winner is one of racing's most loved horses and, despite winning the Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton in January, he found life tough at the top level last season.

Still only eight years old, Frodon may return with Bryony Frost on board at the scene of his greatest triumph in the 3m1f handicap chase, but the dynamic duo must shoulder top weight in a field full of quality handicappers.

Cheltenham Saturday entries

2.00 Aintree, Sunday

Itchy Feet will hold a special place with Olly Murphy and his yard after he gave them their breakthrough Grade 1 victory in the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase last season.

Itchy Feet: Grade 1 winner entered at Aintree on SundayCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

However, his run at the Cheltenham Festival was brought to a premature end when he unseated Gavin Sheehan at the sixth fence, and he will need his jumping to be up to scratch in the Monet's Garden Old Roan if he is to enhance his claims as a high-class intermediate chaser.

More great reads here:

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'Huge signs of a revival' - our experts with their horses to follow

Elliott: if you don't want to be champion trainer, why else would you do it?

Jockey change for Princess Zoe as star guns for another Group 1 at Longchamp

Tiger Roll fans in for a treat as Elliott brings National hero back on the Flat

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