'He's had a brilliant summer' - who could be primed for a big Badger Beer run?

Saturday: 3.00 Wincanton
60th Badger Beer Handicap Chase (Listed) | 3m1f | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

As one of the few big handicap chases in the jumps Pattern that is run at a right right-handed course over in excess of three miles, in one sense it is not a surprise that last year's Badger Beer Handicap Chase heavily informed the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.

It would happen more often, were it not for the two races being about as far apart as possible in the calendar. There is a lot of waiting around if you want to target one after the other. Last year's 1-2-3 from this race – El Presente, Potterman and Kitty's Light – ran in three chases between them in the intervening six months.

Potterman (awarded the bet365) and El Presente (fourth that day) are back again, as are last year's fifth Some Chaos and bet365 fifth Cap Du Nord. Irish Prophecy also ran at Sandown in April.

It is largely known what to expect from those horses. There is more potential in the cluster of second-season chasers, which might not be as large as would be expected for a Listed handicap.

Hurricane Harvey has been popular ante-post and it is fair to say the handicapper has quickly allowed for a lot of his form being none too solid. He has dropped to 136 from 142 on the basis of two runs, neither of which was that bad.

Ofalltheginjoints is very interesting. He made a hugely promising start over fences this time last year then struggled a little, in line with the Tizzard string as a whole.

He still shaped really well in a Grade 3 at Aintree in April and has been sharpened up for this with a run over hurdles. After Eldorado Allen's win in the Haldon Gold Cup earlier this week, Ofalltheginjoints can do his bit to announce that his stable is firmly back in business.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

Ofalltheginjoints: represents the in-form Colin TizzardCredit: Steve Davies

What they say

Kim Bailey, trainer of El Presente
He's in good shape but I think the handicapper has rather got hold of him at the moment which is the price you pay for being on a roll last year. He's ready to start off but it may take a couple of runs to see where we are with him.

Alan King, trainer of Potterman
He's a good-ground horse who stays very well, as he showed in the bet365 Gold Cup last April. He's been in stronger work for a while but this run should bring him on nicely for the Ladbrokes Trophy, which is his autumn target.

Michael Scudamore, trainer of Some Chaos
He won very well at Chepstow on his comeback and will love the ground and he also has shown good form at this track in the past. He's on a career-high mark of 147 for that but we still feel he's improving even at his age.

Colin Tizzard, trainer of Storm Home and Ofalltheginjoints
Storm Home had a brilliant summer but he's quite highly rated off 145 although we've been really pleased with him. He fell the last day but he was taken on and it might be he's paying the price for a hard season. Ofalltheginjoints had a bit of a bad run at Uttoxeter last time and I don't think he tried too hard, so we're trying some headgear. He's got a few questions to answer.

Tom Bellamy, rider of Irish Prophecy
He goes there in great shape after his win at the track last time I just hope they don't put too much water on as he likes the ground quick.

Christian Williams, trainer of Cap Du Nord
He was fifth in the bet365 Gold Cup on his last proper run of the season before running over hurdles in France. He had a good blow when fifth at Chepstow last time. We came close last year with Kitty's Light [third], so hopefully this lad can set the record straight.

Caroline Bailey, trainer of Cobra De Mai
He's run two nice races since joining us and I think the change of scene has helped. He's at the right end of the handicap and has no weight which helps as he's not over big.
Reporting by David Milnes

Read Saturday's previews . . .

'He's perfect for the track' - Maxwell excited by Cat Tiger ride in Grand Sefton

Keith Melrose: spot the trendsetters in new-look Grand Sefton Chase (Members' Club)

Will First Light give the Gosdens another November Handicap as Flat season ends?

Versatile Sceau Royal looks very much the one to beat in Elite Hurdle

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