Honeyball has strong trio chasing Wincanton Beer money

Anthony Honeyball runs three in the 63rd Badger Beer Chase at Wincanton on Saturday – but is particularly sweet on the chances of Forward Plan.

Despite new stablemate Lord Baddesley being a shorter price, Honeyball, who won the race 12 months ago with Blackjack Magic, feels Forward Plan gives him his best chance.

After finishing sixth in the corresponding race last year, Forward Plan went on to win a valuable race at Doncaster and the Coral Trophy at Kempton, as well as finishing second in the Great Yorkshire Chase and third at the Grand National meeting.

“I guess Forward Plan is the price he is because of the way he ran in the race last year, which was his worst run last season,” said Honeyball. “Wincanton, however, is not a million miles away from Kempton, where he won his big race, in that it is right-handed and flat.

“He ran well all last season in high-end handicaps where there is no hiding place and I think he is still nicely handicapped – he is only up 6lb after winning around £130,000 last year, so he can’t be handicapped out of it.

“With Al Dancer declared at the top, he has a lovely racing weight. I wouldn’t really want to swap him, as he has form in these sort of handicaps and the ground is going to be in his favour.

“I suppose the one question mark is the distance, as it is three miles and a furlong and he is a bit more speed than stamina. It is probably about as far as he wants to go but the ground will help him.

“However, he had a good summer, looks in good order, travels well and I think he has a very good chance. As I said, his one disappointing run last year was in the Badger Beer and you could say he might need a run to get going – time will tell and we’ll find out on Saturday.”

As for his new recruit, Honeyball said: “Lord Baddesley is a horse I liked from afar when he was with Chris (Gordon). He ran well last season but was just getting caught out on his current mark and is slightly in no man’s land.

“He didn’t run too bad when upped in distance behind Forward Plan at Kempton last season. He is a solid horse who generally jumps and travels well, which is important at Wincanton.

“His stamina is yet to be proven but I am hopeful – I think there will be pace in the race and he can drop in, mind his own business and creep into the race. I’d be hopeful about him running a big race. He will like the ground.”

Honeyball’s third representative is Gustavian, whose best run last year was a third in the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury.

“Gustavian picked up a lot of prize-money last season and I think he will really come into his own on softer ground over two and a half miles,” added the Dorset handler.

“While we are waiting for that, we are coming here as I don’t think he will mind the ground, as he has won over three miles on good ground at Exeter (in February 2023). I think over three miles, he doesn’t need soft ground.

“He is quite a big, burly horse and it wouldn’t shock me if he ran really well, although I’d say he has more of a squeak off of a light weight than a serious chance.”

Joe Tizzard’s The Changing Man and the Neil Mulholland-trained Lord Accord are battling for favouritism, while Paul Nicholls bids for a 12th win in the race with Mofasa.