'Very exciting' Protektorat out to show Grade 1 pedigree in rescheduled Dipper

2.05 Wincanton
Paddy Power Dipper Novices' Chase (Grade 2) | 2m4f | 5yo+ | ITV4/RTV

The last time the Dipper was 'saved', in 2003, it went from its former home of Newcastle to Haydock, but the latter card was also abandoned. It is hoped that Wincanton has more luck, with the course needing to pass a morning inspection.

A field of three is a disappointing turnout, but since the Dipper was last lost in 2013, the average field size is almost exactly five. Few midwinter Graded novice chases are well-subscribed.

That is not to say that this race lacks for quality. The average winning performance over the last ten years is rounded up to 158 on RPRs, which puts it on a par with the Grade 1 Scilly Isles.

There is little doubt that Protektorat is up to Grade 1 standard after a thumping defeat of the smart Southfield Stone at Cheltenham in November. He is a fine jumper, which is needed around Wincanton, and already boasts form up to the recent winning standard.

The negatives column is not all that convincing. He jumped left at Carlisle on his chasing debut, while the overriding impression is that he will ultimately stay well. Both of those suggest he would have been more at home at Cheltenham than Wincanton, but these are quibbles rather than doubts.

While Lieutenant Rocco is unquestionably useful, he would be a shock winner. The favourite's chief rival is Messire Des Obeaux, the Challow winner and Neptune and Mersey third in 2016-17 before missing almost three years. He took notably well to fences when winning a course-and-distance handicap in mid-December.

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For all his issues, it would be no surprise if Messire Des Obeaux became a better chaser. His brother Bouvreuil did, to the tune of about a stone. Still, that is the sort of level Messire Des Obeaux will need to reach in order to beat Protektorat, so those looking to get the favourite beaten are likely to need the track to come to their aid.

Keith Melrose, betting editor

What they say

Dan Skelton, trainer of Protektorat
He's very exciting. He won well at Cheltenham in November and we obviously wanted to run in this race on New Year's Day. It should be the next stepping stone, he's going to be a short price and he's the most likely winner by a long stretch. We'd be disappointed to see him get beat. He's been in great form at home and is jumping well. With a novice there are always the fences to negotiate, but we're really looking forward to getting him back out there.

Nick Mitchell, trainer of Lieutenant Rocco
We're really looking forward to it and I think he's earned a chance in this company on the back of his run at Cheltenham last time. I think he's come on again for that, he's a very big horse who takes an awful lot of getting fit. We were going to the novice handicap at Ffos Las, but with that called off the decision was made for us. It's his first time right-handed, but he's shown no reason for us to think that would pose a problem.

Alan King, trainer of Messire Des Obeaux
He wouldn't have been ready for Cheltenham as the race would have come too soon, so re-routing back to Wincanton has worked in our favour. We couldn't possibly have wished for any better return from him. To win in the style he did on his chasing debut was quite emotional after what he has been through. Daryl [Jacob] was happy with him when he came to school him on Monday.
Reporting by Tom Ward

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