Paul Nicholls dominates the betting for the Badger Beers Chase at Wincanton but Stu Williams is siding with a 12/1 chance trained by Alan King.
Recommended bet:
1pt win Potterman in 3.35 Wincanton at 12/1
The Badger Beers Silver Trophy is always a competitive event and it has often gone the way of local trainer Paul Nicholls, who has landed the spoils ten times in total and will be looking to bag a fourth straight success in the race on Saturday.
With that in mind, it's no surprise to see Ditcheat's three-pronged attack towards the head of the market, with dual winner Present Man (2017 & 2018), Grade Two novice chase scorer Danny Whizzbang, and the often frustrating My Way, who warmed up with a cosy win over hurdles last month, all at single figure prices.
Clearly the 11-time champion trainer knows what it takes to win this race and solid cases can be made for all three of his potential representatives. However, their presence towards the forefront of the betting could make the market for others, and it may pay to look beyond them from an ante-post perspective.
It's A Sting placed fourth in this race 12 months ago off a 1lb lower mark and he may have played an even bigger role but for a momentum costing error at the third last fence. He forfeited both ground and rhythm there. While Beau Du Brizais and Sumkindofking, who finished fifth and sixth respectively last year, could also go well after dropping down the handicap in meantime.
On The Blind Side ran a mighty race to place fourth in the Grade Three Sodexo Gold Cup on his seasonal reappearance last term and will kick-start his campaign fron a 4lbs lower mark. While the in-form Kim Bailey may field the equally in-form El Presente, who has won three of his last four starts and will appreciate the likely conditions.
Indeed, cases can be made for many in this competitive Listed contest and it's sure to be a very volatile betting heat on the day. However, I'm going to take an early punt on POTTERMAN, who remains open to further progress over staying trips this winter.
Alan King's charge boasts form figures of 15212 over trips in excess of two miles and seven furlongs, and the form of his runner-up effort at Chepstow last month was given a boost when the third placed Some Chaos, who may re-oppose on 2lbs worse terms this weekend, ran out a comfortable winner at Kelso two weeks later.
Potterman bumped into a talented rival who goes very well when fresh, had ideal conditions, and whom had the run of the race at Chepstow, and Tom Cannon was wise to cruise home when it became apparent that the winner had flown, ensuring that Potterman wasn't given too hard a race, whilst also not needlessly attracting the handicapper's attention.
The form of his penultimate outing at Market Rasen also reads well as the runner-up, Topofthecotswolds, was victorious next time out and the aforementioned El Presente, who has won both of his subsequent starts, placed third when in receipt of 4lbs.
The current weather forecast promises little to no rain in the area this week, which will hopefully result in ideal conditions for the progressive, sound-jumping seven-year-old, who has race-fitness in his favour and will compete from the very same mark from which he competed at Chepstow.
Alan King has his Barbary Castle based string in good shape at present and although this contest is yet to feature on his lengthy list of accomplishments, he looks to have an ideal candidate this year.
- Preview posted 1100 GMT on 04/11/2020