Ericht the right Approach

It's a big day for the ante-post portfolio on Wednesday with Hadrian's Approach, Taquin De Seuil and Pendra all set to go off for their assignments at shorter odds than when advised.

Colleague Ian Ogg put up Taquin De Seuil for the Neptune at 10/1 - Jonjo O'Neill's horse is now 9/2 and I see no reason why he shouldn't be relied upon in a hot renewal of the race.

After the day Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh had on Tuesday Pont Alexandre looks set to be sent off a short-price favourite and if the vibes are correct he's going to take all the beating.

But Taquin De Seuil looks a highly-promising horse himself, his form is strong and with ground conditions set to be in his favour a big run is expected.

Hadrian's Approach was advised at 40s for the RSA Chase and, now 6/1, I'm obviously delighted with the position. He has an engine, he's improving and the ground is fine.

If he puts in a clear round of jumping I can see him going very close, but he has made mistakes in all of his starts this season and I want another onside, namely LORD WINDERMERE.

Best Mate's jockey Jim Culloty trains this seven-year-old son of Oscar and he looks really interesting stepped up in trip to three miles.

His form behind Boston Bob and Texas Jack over shorter trips entitles him to go close here especially when you consider he was running on on both occasions.

I'm not sure why he's four times the price of Boston Bob who has failed to convince and he's worth adding to the staking plan.

In the Coral Cup I believe Pendra - advised at 12/1 - is the most likely winner. He looks really well handicapped and will hopefully run a big race.

However, in such a competitive contest I want another on my side and ERICHT looks well worth an interest at 20/1.

He's been called a few names after his career appeared to be going off the rails but he's right back to his best at present, a jumpers' bumper win doing wonders for his confidence before he followed-up back over hurdles at Kempton.

A 12lb rise seems fair for that victory and it was necessary for him to get in the race off a low weight, and, interestingly, Nicky Henderson has further eased his burden by sticking 10lb claimer Gary Derwin on top.

Derwin got on very well with him when he won a maiden hurdle at Fakenham in December - his only ride on the horse - and Ericht will have no problem with the ground or trip.

Sent off 5/1 when sixth in Cheltenian's Champion Bumper, he's never really built on his early promise. But he's coming to himself now and at 20/1 is worth a bet to land this big pot.

Finally, I think GOLANTILLA is the one to be on in the Champion Bumper.

Betting on the race is fraught with danger given the unknown quantities and potential for improvement in just about the whole field, but this fellow looked a different gear at Cork.

He travelled like a very classy horse that day and bounded clear, prompting Barry Connell to stump up a hefty fee (thought to be in excess of £300,000) for the son of Golan.

Transferred to the care of Tony Martin who has prepared him for this race, I've a gut feeling the 9/1 about Golantilla maintaining Ireland's wonderful record in the race could be a good bit of business.

Bets:

1pt e.w Hadrian's Approach at 40/1

Ben Linfoot's Value Bet Aim: The Value Bet is designed to generate long-term profit by searching for overpriced horses in the feature weekend races and at the big Festivals in the UK. Running total: +134.56pts to advised stakes/prices (from inception of Value Bet column in January 2010 to current).

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