It’s off to West Sussex for a seven-race National Hunt card from Fontwell on Friday afternoon.

The jumps season is about to enter full swing, and the meeting serves up a nice starter for what should be a cracking winter.

16:07 – Small Bad Bob @ 7/4

Small Bad Bob has a record of 1,1,4, 2 at Fontwell and the eight-year-old has his first start for trainer Chris Gordon in the two-mile-one-and-a-half-furlong handicap hurdle at 16:07.

The son of Big Bad Bob stayed on well to score at Plumpton two starts ago and that was followed by a neck second to the progressive In The Air at Fontwell last time out.

Small Bad Bob returns from a 141-day absence this afternoon, but the eight-year-old’s record following a break of more than 80 days reads 3,2,2,1,4 and it’s clear that Gordon’s charge runs well fresh.

It’s a step up to a Class 3 for Small Bad Bob this afternoon, but the eight-year-old gets in off a featherweight and this doesn’t appear the strongest race for the grade.

16:40 – Gambie Tiep @ 5/4

Gambie Tiep won easily at Bangor two days ago and a seven-pound penalty is unlikely to stop the progressive seven-year-old.

The excellent Ben Pauling has guided Gambie Tiep to win four of his last seven starts and there certainly looks scope for another success carrying a penalty.

The trip in the two-mile-two-furlong handicap chase should suit this previous course winner perfectly and the forecast ground shouldn’t pose any problems. If anything today’s contest looks a weaker race than the event Gambie Tiep won at Bangor last time out and Pauling’s charge should follow up.

17:15 – Only Fools @ 18/1

Only Fools looked a useful jumps prospect when winning on soft ground on the Flat in France and he followed a well-trodden path when he was snapped up by David Pipe. The four-year-old has so far failed to get her head in front for the master of Pond House, but second-place finishes at Newton Abbot and Worcester earlier this year suggested a win wasn’t far away.

Only Fools finished a good third over two miles at Uttoxeter last time out and this is now the daughter of Mondialiste’s second start following a wind op.

Pipe’s runner steps up in trip today, which should suit and there could be plenty more to come from the four-year-old.