Paul Nicholls: Rubaud my best chance at Wincanton as Frodon defends Badger Beer crown

• Big run expected from Meatloaf in opener

• Knappers Hill has come on bundles since chasing debut

• Frodon has schooled brilliantly ahead of Badger Beer defence

• Rubaud can win Elite Hurdle before facing Constitution Hill over Christmas

12:40 - Meatloaf

A promising type with a future, he won twice in bumpers at Wincanton last season and also ran very well at Cheltenham. His schooling over hurdles has been good and I expect him to run very well.

12:40 - Annie K

A well bred mare she won her maiden Point-to-Point in Eire last November from the front before joining us at the following month. She blew her chance on her debut for us in a bumper at Taunton In March by running away going to the start and then was way too keen in the race when finishing fifth. She needs to learn to settle and will benefit from the experience.

13:15 - Huelgoat

He won his first four starts over fences last season yet is still a maiden over hurdles and ran a decent race when he finished fourth in the £70,000 final of a highly competitive handicap hurdle at Worcester late in September. Now that he is back over fences I'd like to think he has a fair chance in this conditional jockeys' handicap, ridden by Freddie Gingell.

13:50 - Knappers Hill

Hopefully there is not too much more rain at Wincanton for Knappers Hill and if the forecast is right the ground could even be nearly good to soft which would be ideal for him. He's a classy horse, has won 10 of his 17 starts, and jumped nicely when second on his chasing debut at Chepstow.

That was a pleasing start, he has come on bundles since then and has strong claims in this. I remember Silviniaco Conti getting beaten in the same Chepstow race before race before winning the Rising Stars at Wincanton.

14:25 -Frodon

He's a magic horse who starts his final season bidding to win the Badger Beer Chase under top weight for the second year in succession just short of his 12th birthday. He still loves his work, is so enthusiastic in everything he does and enjoys a brilliant partnership with Bryony Frost.

He has had exactly the same preparation as last year with an away day and schooled brilliantly on Thursday. Unless Wincanton gets torrents of rain the ground should be ok for Frodon who is fresh and well and racing off the same handicap mark of 158 as 12 months ago.

14:25 - Threeunderthrufive

He was frustrating last season but to be fair he struggled with his breathing in his races so he had a win op in the summer and seems in very good shape ahead of his return to action. Crucially he has won all five of his starts on right-handed tracks and he stays very well.

The Badger Beer Chase looks a perfect stepping stone for him ahead of the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury and he might well be the one to beat at Wincanton.

15:00 - Rubaud

An improving young horse with a bright future he has plenty in his favour after a classy success at Kempton on his seasonal debut in a Listed event last month when he gave weight to all his rivals. He continues to work stylishly at home and is at his best going right-handed on a flat track like Wincanton.

I've left off the hood he has worn on his last three starts because he doesn't need it any more. The ground should be fine for Rubaud who has a first rate chance and could well be taking on Constitution Hill at Kempton over Christmas.

15:32 - Lime Avenue

She is a really good mare who did well to win twice last season despite struggling with her breathing. After her last success at Wincanton in the Spring Harry Cobden reported that she was making a noise for the final mile. The wind surgery Lime Avenue had in the summer should be a massive plus as she returns on an attractive mark of 118 in a race named after my great friend Richard Barber.

16:10 - George Henry

This one is a nice prospect by Kayf Tara that I own in partnership with Dave Staddon and will be ridden by my daughter Olive. He is ready to start and like all of my bumper horses will come on plenty for the experience.

16:10 - Roman Roy

There is not a lot between him and George Henry. They both spent a season with our academy run by champion Point-to-Point rider Will Biddick and are going the right way. Roman Roy is a big, strong type who shows a bit ant home and like George Henry will improve for the outing.

Best Chance

Rubaud - 15:00. "He continues to progress and has a first rate rate chance to double his score for the season."

Watch Racing Only Bettor HERE...

Read Tony Calvin's Saturday ITV Racing Tips here.