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Anthony Honeyball looks set to saddle three runners as he bids to retain the Badger Beer Handicap Chase at Wincanton on Saturday.
Having trained Blackjack Magic to land the prize twelve months ago, Anthony Honeyball will look to retain his title when Forward Plan, Lord Baddesley and Gustavian take to the West Country venue this weekend.
All three will make their seasonal reappearance, with Forward Plan having his first start since finishing third in a valuable Grade 3 Handicap Chase at Aintree in April. That run came on the back of a clear career-best success in the same grade at Kempton earlier in the year and with the Sunbury venue possessing similarities to Wincanton, Honeyball is hopeful his charge can better his sixth-place finish in the event last year.
"I guess Forward Plan is the price he is because of the way he ran in the race last year (finished sixth) 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 last 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 6lbs 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 sorts 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."
Previously trained by Chris Gordon, Lord Baddesley will make his debut for the Honeyball team on Saturday and whilst the Potwell Farm-based handler is wary of his current mark, he does still believe he can be involved this weekend.
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 badly when upped in distance behind Forward Plan at Kempton last season and 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 and he will like the ground."
On Gustavian, who is a general 16/1 chance for Saturday's feature, Honeyball commented: "He 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. 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. It wouldn't shock me if he ran really wellalthough I'd say he has more of a squeak off of a light weight than a serious chance."