Paddy's Pick 5: Our free tips for Saturday's £50,000 jackpot

A cracking renewal of the Badger Beer with FRODON undoubtedly one of the best horses to have ever contested the race. The 2020 King George winner goes well fresh, has been given a clear chance by the handicapper (has won off 6lb higher in the past) and is likely to give one or two these a lesson in how to jump.

It was intended that he would defend his title in the Grade One Champion Chase at Down Royal but he has been switched here because of deep ground in Ireland. The minus is that Frodon has to concede lumps of weight, including 15lb to smart stablemate Enrilo, who runs off the same mark as when first passed the post in the bet365 Gold Cup last year.

Lord Accord was a good winner at Cheltenham a fortnight ago and commands respect, while Potterman, runner-up in the past two renewals of this race, and Cap Du Nord, who was fourth 12 months ago, will have their supporters. Frodon’s presence means the bottom five in the line-up are out of the handicap.

This is tricky, with most of the runners having at least one question to answer. Gordon Elliott saddled the first pair home in last year’s renewal and has chances of doing even better this time, as he runs a quartet. He may provide the answer in the shape of EBASARI, who had Nibiru a place behind when a good fourth in a competitive handicap at the Galway Festival in July.

He also ran creditably in another decent contest at Punchestown last time, and is proven in the mud. Nibiru has since been a good winner over hurdles but as a consequence is 8lb worse off with the tip. Watch The Weather’s fine run came to an abrupt halt last time but he was badly hampered that day and came back with an injury. He has to be kept in mind.

Races over the Grand National fences are always a great spectacle but the Grand Sefton winner has taken some finding in recent years with none of the past three victors returned at shorter than 16-1. The unexposed Broken Halo seeks to become a rare winning favourite and has the right trainer in Paul Nicholls, who has landed three renewals since 2013, but he will probably be over-bet and, more importantly for Paddy’s Pick 5 purposes, over-selected.

At first glance, COOPER’S CROSS looks up against it from 9lb out of the handicap but he’s actually only 6lb “wrong” and showed he was still on the upgraded when winning in fine style on his return at Carlisle. His connections have snapped up Sean Bowen, who has a fabulous record over the National obstacles. Gesskille is also running from the right end of the weights, while Senior Citizen, who was second last year, and Spiritofthegames, fifth in last season’s Topham and unlucky not to win on his return, will have their supporters.

The good news is that we only have six runners to juggle. The bad news is that you can make claims for all of them! SAO can be his own worst enemy because of his exuberant nature but he looks like getting the strong pace that brings out the best in him and he’s slipped to a mark 5lb lower than when runner-up in this race last year.

Gunsight Ridge went off favourite for the Red Rum Chase at the Grand National meeting but disappointed. He’s since had a wind op and will find this less competitive, but he finished a place behind Sao in this event last year and now finds himself 11lb worse off. Only Money has more on his plate than when winning at Plumpton and Worcester this autumn but is clearly in fine fettle. Sir Tivo also arrives here fit and in form, while the form figures of Galop De Chasse and Miss Amelia reflect that they invariably give their running.

The final leg is a 2m4f handicap chase exclusively for conditional jockeys with the ground likely to be pivotal. Provided underfoot conditions do not deteriorate too much – rain is forecast at the track on Saturday morning – then DE DARLEY BASKET may be able to chalk up a fourth win of the season. He might well have added to his tally at Market Rasen last tie had he not unseated his rider four out and is able to run off the same mark.

Butterwick Brook has his quirks but he cut out plenty of the running at Chepstow last time and first-time blinkers plus the promising Freddie Gingell may squeeze a bit more out of him. Don Alvaro should have more to offer, while Fairway Freddy is reliable at this level. Carolines Charm pulled up over hurdles last time but seems more effective over fences.