Your ultimate guide to a fantastic day of action as Bryony bids to bounce back

It feels like we’re really into the heart of the jumps season now. We’ve already had a thrilling Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter this week and embraced the performance of potential star staying novice chaser Champ, who made a thoroughly pleasing winning debut over fences at Newbury on Thursday.

Now we have four races from Wincanton’s high-class fixture, featuring the £60,000 Badger Beers Silver Trophy Handicap Chase (3.35), and three events on an excellent card from Aintree to watch on ITV4.

Bryony Frost, whose star was rapidly in the ascendancy last season, has endured a less spectacular start to the 2019-20 campaign with a number of high-profile setbacks, but hopes to move into top gear aboard Present Man, who bids to become the first horse to complete a hat-trick in the Badger Beers which, as always, looks highly competitive.

After Frodon’s defeat at Aintree last month, Frost, who has partnered 25 winners this term, was involved in more headlines at Ascot last weekend when her mount Capeland was disqualified following a dramatic incident with stablemate Diego Du Charmil in the Listed Byrne Group Handicap Chase.

Capeland and Frost were contesting the lead and clear of the other runners when Diego Du Charmil veered violently left approaching the final fence, carrying Capeland with him. Capeland was forced between the fence and the plastic wing, ending his chance of victory. He finished fifth, but was subsequently disqualified.

Frost, who has quickly become one of jump racing’s biggest ambassadors, put that disappointment behind her when returning to the winner’s enclosure aboard Wisecracker at Hereford on Monday, and Present Man’s backers would clearly love to see that trademark smile back after a major Saturday success.

This year’s running looks well up to standard, with the likes of Present Man’s stablemate, Give Me A Copper, the Colin Tizzard-trained White Moon, and Harry Fry’s best-fresh Just A Sting in opposition.

However, Present Man simply adores Wincanton and will have been meticulously laid out for this race once again by the champion trainer.

Get set for him and Frost, who has another big-race mount aboard Christopher Wood in the Grade 2 Unibet Elite Hurdle (3.00), to raise the roof!

Aintree low sun concerns recede

While parts of northern England have been badly affected by flooding this week after monumental downpours – indeed, the final meeting of the Flat turf season at Doncaster has been abandoned – it seems highly ironic that it’s the sun that has been causing concern for Aintree.

Two of Aintree’s three chases were moved to the start of the card to counteract the threat of low sun in midweek, which blighted last month’s Old Roan Chase at the Merseyside course.

The track took further steps to avoid an unsightly repeat when the feature £80,000 chase was moved on Friday to an earlier 2.05 slot rather than the scheduled 2.40 start.

No fences were jumped in the home straight in the Old Roan – which had an official off-time of 3.00 – after riders had raised concerns the sun was obscuring their view of the fences.

Punters, who have taken into account jumping ability when striking their bets, loathe this type of scenario.

However, that is unlikely to be the scenario today if the forecasters have it right, with grey cloud and light rain set to be the order of the day throughout the afternoon. The going is soft, good to soft in places on the chase course.

Aintree’s feature Class 2 event (2.05) has attracted a ten-runner field, including last year’s winner War Sound, who sprinted up the run-in to slam King’s Odyssey by six lengths for Tom O’Brien and Philip Hobbs.

The Venetia Williams-trained Cepage and Colin Tizzard’s The Russian Doyen look his biggest threats.

OLBG Mares' Hurdle heroine Roksana returns in the Bet And Watch At Virgin Bet Hurdle (3.15) and faces the popular Top Notch.

People who had paid for tickets to attend Doncaster's abandoned meeting and would like to watch Roksana and co can gain free entry to Aintree, a gesture of goodwill that many will appreciate.

Irish stars return at Naas

There is an excellent card in Ireland at Naas, featuring two Grade 3 races and a valuable handicap hurdle.

Willie Mullins didn’t have any runners in the main events at Down Royal last Saturday, but he is well represented at this meeting as he continues to take the wraps off some of his high-class performers.

Blackbow, fifth in the 2018 Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham prior to finishing runner-up to Tornado Flyer in a Punchestown Grade 1, returns from a 563-day absence in the maiden hurdle (12.00).

Mullins also runs Tiger Tap Tap, ninth to Pentland Hills in the JCB Triumph Hurdle, in the Grade 3 Fishery Lane Hurdle (12.30).

He looks just the type to enjoy a solid second campaign over hurdles.

Cilaos Emery represents Mullins in the Grade 3 Poplar Square Chase (1.05) in which the Henry de Bromhead-trained Ornua makes his seasonal reappearance.

The son of Mahler landed the Grade 1 Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree last term, and this could be the springboard to another lucrative campaign.

On both sides of the Irish Sea there is plenty of interesting action to enjoy and from now on the big Saturday meetings come thick and fast with BetVictor Gold Cup day at Cheltenham coming up next.

Armchair guide

Download The App At Virgin Bet Handicap Chase 2m

The Last Day, who showed progressive form over fences for Evan Williams last season, is the likely favourite in an eight-strong field.

Richard Barber Memorial Mares’ Handicap Hurdle 2m5f

Danse Idol, who has undergone wind surgery since last seen, looks one to follow, and punters are likely to latch onto the Paul Nicholls-trained mare.

Virgin Bet Handicap Chase 2m4f

War Sound, impressive winner of the race 12 months ago, bids to land this valuable prize. Joint top-weight Cepage looks a most interesting rival.

John Romans Park Homes “Rising Stars” Novices’ Chase 2m4f G2

Reserve Tank, who retains plenty of potential at this discipline, bids to atone for a Chepstow defeat last time out. If You Say Run looks a serious danger.

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle 3m½f

Jacks Last Hope, winner of his last two starts, runs this track well and arrives in prime form. Keep an eye on Rosy World, who is open to significant improvement at this trip.

Unibet Elite Hurdle 1m7½f G2

It’s already been a good week for Nicky Henderson, and his Fusil Raffles is likely to start a short-priced favourite to give the stable further success in this Grade 2.

Badger Beers Silver Trophy Handicap Chase 3m1f Listed

The big one! Present Man bids for a record-breaking third consecutive win in this historic race under Bryony Frost. White Moon, from the Colin Tizzard stable, looks a major threat.

Members can read the latest exclusive tipping content such as Pricewise and Paul Kealy from 6pm daily on racingpost.com