ANTEPOST: Drink the Gin in the Badger Beer Chase

Colin and Joe Tizzard are coming back into a bit of form after a turgid time of it in the past couple of seasons. I think many people will notice that some of his handicappers are on fair marks soon (plenty have mentioned already mind), and they've already grabbed a couple of notable wins with Eldorado Allen winning the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter yesterday, and Fiddlerontheroof winning the Colin Parker at Carlisle on Sunday. I think there might be one lurking in the Badgers Beer on a decent enough mark for the Tizzard family.....

Saturday 6th November 2021 - 3m1f (3m1f30y) 60th Badger Beer Handicap Chase

Sit yourself down, strap yourself in and get ready for a brilliant November with top class racing on every Saturday in this wonderful month. This weekend is probably the calm before the storm with the upcoming open meeting in a 3 day bonanza at Cheltenham, which includes the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle. This weekend consists of good racing at Aintree including the Grand Sefton, and the Badgers Beer at Wincanton. There is also decent racing on the Sunday including Sandown's first jumps meeting of the season. Let's get on with talking about the Badgers Beer, and I may of found one that can run well at a price for the Colin Tizzard stable.

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The Badgers Beer looks set to start on better ground and that will bring the suspects from last year back into it again. El Presente and Potterman were the 1-2 from this race last season on good ground, and they both look set to take on each other again in this too. They will both be hard to beat as they both like Wincanton, both enjoy the better ground forecast and both run off marks only 6lb higher then last year too. I see the 10/1 generally on offer for the pair of them is very fair, despite their last runs - Potterman PU / El Presente F. I think everything is just right for a big run from either or both of them, and 10/1 isn't the worst price in the world right now given they both are set to run.

Looking elsewhere, Hurricane Harvey is a horse I've had in my tracker for a while to go close over fences but he often flatters to deceive and he might be worth a go in lower company to boost his confidence. Highland Hunter is an interesting one for Nicholls, and his 5th in a Midlands National after 3 runs over fences reads well and he looks set to run with Harry Cobden on board. Nicholls loves to win this race at one of his local tracks too and 9/1 is fair enough, however he may need a little more cut in the ground.

Copperhead needs a bit more help from the handicapper after a dismal enough season, but Colin and Joe Tizzard have one lurking which catches my eye. OFALLTHEGINJOINTS is a horse who looked like he had a hole in him last season. The same was said about Fiddlerontheroof and Eldorado Allen in my view too, as they never seemed to finish their races off that well, along with many others from the stable. With the turnaround in fortunes for the stable, I'm expecting to see a different Ofalltheginjoints this season. He actually started the season pretty well last year winning at Exeter beating a decent Hobbs horse in St Barts giving that horse just under a stone that day. His form tailed off badly through the year (along with the stable generally) and his run at Doncaster in December in the 3m December Novices Chase finishing a tailed off last set the tone for his remainder of the season. Pulled up in the National Hunt Chase, finished a decent 5th without threatening at Aintree in a handicap (not finishing off his race once again) before finishing the season with another PU after 2 hard enough runs in May at Uttoxeter.

Last seen in a handicap hurdle a couple of weeks ago, it's likely that was a pipe opener for a tilt at this race. He is no doubt a difficult horse to predict, however I think the track will suit this gelding who on his day can travel sweetly and it's just been a case of what will he find off the bridle at the end of his race. He jumps well (on his day) and the flat, tight track at Wincanton will suit. Where dour staying horses might be struggling to keep their place a mile out, you will see Ofalltheginjoints travelling sweetly in midfield, and it's a case of whether he is a horse who is well in-himself and stronger this year that can finish his race off. I'll take the chance of that at 20/1 with 4 places being paid by Bet365. I am happy to give these quirky talented horses a chance when things look set for a good run, and this could be the day to catch him on better ground and a track that will suit.

Cat Tiger and Cap Du Nord could be 2 other horses who can compete off a low weight, whilst the already mentioned duo Potterman and El Presente will enjoy going back to a happy hunting ground again.

Selections:

Ofalltheginjoints - 1pt e/w @ 20/1 (Bet365 - 4 places)