Wadham: Potters Legend on a nice mark and will hopefully run a big race

2.25 Newbury
Betfred Mandarin Handicap Chase | 4yo+ | 3m2f | ITV4/RUK

Potters Legend was pitched in at the deep end over course and distance in the Ladbrokes Trophy this month but was far from disgraced in finishing seventh.

That performance, and a 4lb respite from the handicapper, gives trainer Lucy Wadham belief for another positive effort in a race not as competitive as the one formerly known as the Hennessy.

"He's dropped to a nice mark, which has allowed us to get into this race," Wadham said.

"I'm hoping the drop in class will work the oracle for him. Hopefully he'll run a big race. He's in good form and has had a nice break since the Ladbrokes Trophy, and the heavy ground won't be a problem."

Pipe inmate on the rise

Daklondike, unlike some of his rivals, is improving at a rapid rate of knots but will have to cope with a further 7lb rise as a result of his handicap victory at Wincanton earlier this month.

Only five, he may be able to cope with that according to David Pipe, who won this race in 2006 with Tango Royal.

The trainer said: "He's been progressing well and will like conditions and the trip. He did it nicely at Wincanton last time and is higher in the handicap, but he's only five so hopefully improving."

Knock-ing on the door again?

Kim Bailey never won the race that honours one of Lambourn's immortal chasers when he trained in the village, but he landed it three years ago with Knockanrawley, who is back for more.

The nine-year-old is off 3lb higher, but shaped encouragingly on his seasonal reappearance when second at Ayr last month.

The Andoversford-based Bailey said: "It'd be nice to win it again and he ran well last time. He goes on heavy ground and we've geared him for this race, so we'll try to win it again."

Lavelle takes aim with Shotgun

Like Wadham, Emma Lavelle is hoping the handicapper as given her runner Shotgun Paddy a chance by dropping him 3lb since a fifth at Chepstow last month.

Without a win since Warwick's Classic Chase nearly four years ago, Shotgun Paddy should not be far away, suggests Lavelle.

She said: "He's in great order and I'm hoping he's in a position now where he can get his head in front again. Conditions should be perfect for him and 2m7f wasn't far enough for him at Chepstow last time.

"He was staying on but was never going to get there so, with it being 3m2f, you'd have to hope it's the right race, and the handicapper has started to give him a chance."

What the others say

Joe Tizzard, assistant to Colin Tizzard, trainer of Grand Vision
He handles soft ground and is in really good nick. His win last time was in a veterans' chase and this is a competitive handicap, but it seemed the obvious race for him on the ratings.

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Vieux Lille
His first preference is for this [over Haydock]. He had a good level of form over hurdles and ran in some good races over fences last year, but his jumping has held him back, as it did at Exeter, where he made one bad mistake. If he can keep his jumping together hopefully he can run well.

Tim Vaughan, trainer of Tanit River
He just lost his way at Cheltenham last time and was a bit flat. He seems in good spirits and I think this is well within his compass. I don't know why it's not clicked yet this season, but I'm hoping he can bounce back soon.

Donald McCain, trainer of Federici
His first preference is at Haydock [2.45], but he's in good nick and ran a screamer at Aintree when fourth in the Becher last time. I thought he was nearly going to win turning it.

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