Why Present Man deserves to be favourite in battle of the veteran chasers

1.15 Newbury
BetVictor Veterans' Handicap Chase (Class 2) | 3m2f | 10yo+ | ITV/RTV

The veterans' series has been around long enough now that the stronger events among them are starting to become known. One of the strongest, outside the final itself, takes place at Chepstow in early October.

This season's winner of that race was Present Man. He would have advertised the form himself next time in the Badger Ales but for being badly hampered three out. Instead it has been left to Crosspark and Double Shuffle to boost the Chepstow form.

Present Man is only 1lb higher than for that win and his record fresh is well known. He comes here off a three-month break and this race looks no stronger, so he well deserves to be favourite.

His likeliest challenger comes from Chepstow. Shantou Village was fourth that day and has since unseated at the first in the Rehearsal and been well beaten in Royal Pagaille's race at Kempton over Christmas. Neither is a stain on his character, and he also gets the assistance of Millie Wonnacott's generous 7lb claim (which will be reduced to 5lb imminently) for the first time over fences.

West Approach and Singlefarmpayment are two of the sport's most famous over-promisers, a manner which attracts a good number of masochistic fans. They can win, but things need to fall right and their backers will probably be relying on Valadom and Strong Pursuit.

Unlike Present Man, who can easily take a lead, both Valadom and Strong Pursuit can struggle a bit under restraint, so the prospect of a genuinely contested pace is a live one. On all known form, it would be enough to encourage followers of Singlefarmpayment and West Approach to go in once more. Best of luck if you take your chances with either of those two sirens, but the reliable Present Man is much more of a punters' pal.
Keith Melrose, betting editor

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Present Man
He loves to be fresh and is suited by a big, galloping track. I’m very happy with him.

Joe Tizzard, assistant to Colin Tizzard, trainer of West Approach and Sizing Codelco
West Approach is West Approach and he doesn't win very often, but he ran quite nicely up at Doncaster last time. I don't think he'll mind some nicer ground, while Sizing Codelco actually ran all right at Taunton. It takes him a couple of runs to get sharp, but he comes good in the spring. He seems to be working well at home. There isn't much between them and West Approach is probably the better horse, but Codelco comes right at this time of year.

Harry Fry, trainer of Sir Ivan
He's been very consistent, and finished third in the final of last year's veterans' series at Sandown. I am hoping he can run another good race under Lorcan Murtagh, who has been getting such a good tune out of him this season.

Neil Mulholland, trainer of Shantou Village
A bit of good ground has been the target for him and it should be perfect, so hopefully he runs a great race. Millie Wonnacott is great value and Saturday is the last day she can claim 7lb as her claim goes down to 5lb the following day, so those extra pounds off will be an advantage and on his Chepstow run in October he should have a good chance.
Reporting by James Burn

Read more Saturday previews

1.30 Kelso: Dan Skelton believes My Drogo 'must have a big chance' of defying penalty

1.50 Newbury: Paul Nicholls' record in the Greatwood Gold Cup tells only half the story

2.40 Kelso: National favourite Cloth Cap takes tried-and-trusted route for Trevor Hemmings

3.15 Kelso: The Shunter heads new-look Morebattle with late festival pointers still possible

3.30 Doncaster: Bear could rise from his slumber as opportunity knocks for National contenders

Saturday Jury: 'We're hoping it'll be Groundhog Day' - Brian Ellison's main fancy at Doncaster

For all our exclusive free bet offers and must-have daily promotions click the free bets button or go to racingpost.com/freebets