15:35 Wincanton

Saturday 10 November 2018

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

Badger Ales Trophy Handicap Chase (Listed)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 6m 21.75s

Present Man^t¹⁹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Frost⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 144| CD

5/1

Won this race last year when holding on gamely off a 2lb lower mark. Not so goo don the back of that and had a prep run last year too. Not on a bad mark ll the same and sure to give it another bold attempt at a repeat success.

Form: P/11043-

Ramses De Teillee^t²⁰⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 141WS

8/1

Dual 2m7½f winner at Chepstow last season, both on heavy going. Closed season with a 15½L ninth to Traffic Fluide on possibly unsuitable good ground. Not well enough handicapped to take a chance on this ground.

Form: 121279-

El Bandit⁵⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 139| D

5/1

Useful handicap hurdler who made a successful transition to fences when winning at Warwick back in May 2017. Off since so clearly had problems but this could turn out to be a dangerous mark if he is fit and raring to go off such a long absence.

Form: 11710/1-

Kings Lad^t⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: R Johnson| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 138| C

12/1

Moving into the veterans stage of his career now but has returned in fine form. Won a veterans handicap at Chepstow before getting outpaced at Ascot last weekend. Has won here in the past and could bustle up a few of his younger rivals here.

Form: 6-11215

Allelu Alleluia^b¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 137

16/1

Blew away the cobwebs this autumn with a couple of spins over hurdles before an emphatic success back over fences at Worcester last month. Hot with a 10lb rise for that and race fell apart a little. This is much tougher but remains with potential.

Form: 1P3331

Bigbadjohn^t¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 137| C

7/1

Made all the running here over 3m2½f (firm) to win two weeks ago. Only nudged up 2lbs for that but this is a much deeper contest and should face competition for the lead which makes life much tougher. Should appreciate any rain that falls.

Form: 81UP-01

Forever Field^p³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 137| BF

25/1

Return of the cheekpieces meant he bounced back to form at Ludlow last time when only held Belmount who ran a cracker off a higher mark at Exeter this week. Nudged up 3lb for not winning but a similar effort would put him there or thereabouts.

Form: 87-6322

Belmount^p⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Bargary| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132| D

25/1

In rude health having won his first two starts this term he ran another absolute cracker at Exeter on Tuesday. Races off the same mark here and has every right to be competitive again if this doesn't come too soon.

Form: 8-37112

Dancing Shadow^b²⁰⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Conor Shoemark| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 132WS

33/1

Won a novice hurdle last November but all chase starts since have been a major worry. Returns here off a seven-month break having had a wind operation but needs to show a lot more despite fairly attractive mark.

Form: 0/10P43-

Sumkindofking^t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: N D Fehily| T: T R George| OR: 131

10/1

Likes quick ground so won't want much rain. Held off this mark by Bigbadjohn when they clashed here two weeks ago. Held by that rival on these terms once again and needs to up his game in a deeper race.

Form: 231513

Aunty Ann²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Jordan Nailor⁽⁷⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 128| CD

16/1

Can be a little in-and-out but bounced back to form over this C&D when winning a handicap three weeks ago. Nudged up 4lb for that win in a deeper race and likely to face competition for the lead.

Form: 321551

Bestwork⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 127

40/1

Was in good form in the summer winning at Worcester from 7lb lower and following that up with a sound effort at Stratford. Another one that likes to lead and very much in at the deep end in this company.

Form: 1-P312P

On Demand^p²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 125| C

33/1

Won a two-runner contest at Newton Abbot before being held in a four-runner event at Hereford last time. Jumped left there which is a slight worry around here and this is a much deeper contest than those she has been contesting.

Form: 37-2512

Captain Buck's^p,t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: D A Jacob| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 124| BF

9/1

Looked well ahead of his reappearance here when finishing behind Aunty Ann three weeks ago. He just got caught out of his ground as they quickened there and he was possibly unlucky. Should strip fitter here and must have a cracking chance.

Form: 2203-43

Fingerontheswitch^p,t⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 122| D

16/1

Looked in need of the run on return to action at Southwell last month but came on plenty for that when wining bravely at Wetherby last week. Goes back up 7lb in the weights and in a much tougher race but claims if in the same mood.

Form: 138541

Sam Red^b,t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: William Marshall⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 122| D

14/1

Won on his first two starts over fences but had struggled in two starts this year prior to a fortunate success at Cheltenham two weeks ago when the leader ran out on the run-in. That was still a sound effort and only 4lb higher here so place claims.

Form: 528-051

Forecasts

Present Man (5/1), El Bandit (5/1), Bigbadjohn (7/1), Ramses De Teillee (8/1), Captain Buck's (9/1), Sumkindofking (10/1), Kings Lad (12/1), Sam Red (14/1), Fingerontheswitch (16/1), Aunty Ann (16/1), Allelu Alleluia (16/1), Forever Field (25/1), Belmount (25/1), On Demand (33/1), Dancing Shadow (33/1), Bestwork (40/1)

Paul Nicholls has won this seven times since the turn of the century and holds a strong hand here with last years winner Present Man back for another crack and both El Bandit and CAPTAIN BUCK'S holding strong claims. Of the three the last-named is preferred as he was given a little too much to do here last time and looked unlucky. He should be fitter here and represents the best value of the three. Bigbadjohn was back to his best here last time on ground that wouldn't have suited so he has to be considered off just 2lb higher with rain in the forecast. Last-time out winners Allelu Alleluia and Fingreontheswitch could both do better and complete the shortlist in a cracking renewal.