Punters back consistent chaser to provide Anthony Honeyball with back-to-back wins in the Badger Beer

Forward Plan is a standing dish in big-race handicaps and the consistent eight-year-old has been well supported to provide trainer Anthony Honeyball with back-to-back wins in the Badger Beer Chase (3.30).

The son of Valirann was sixth behind stablemate Blackjack Magic in Wincanton’s feature event last year and is 9lb worse off here, as he is rated 6lb higher and jockey Ben Godfrey has since ridden out his claim.

However, this has not deterred punters with Forward Plan backed into 9-2 (from 8-1) to continue his superb recent run in valuable handicaps.

• Watch: Paul Kealy, Robbie Wilders and Johnny Dineen preview the weekend's racing on The Morning Post

He was beaten a nose in last season’s Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster after winning at the same track on his previous start. Forward Plan took the Coral Trophy at Kempton before ending his campaign with a third at the Grand National meeting.

Two of Forward Plan’s five victories have come after breaks of 163 and 54 days and on his first start for 210 days, Honeyball said: “Forward Plan enjoyed a cracking season last year, and has only gone up 6lb after winning over £100,000 in prize-money. 

“I do feel he’s still competitively handicapped. He could finish only sixth in this race last year, but I was quite pleased with his performance as the soft ground wouldn’t have suited him. 

“Good ground is right up his street. Conditions will be much more in his favour this time and I am very hopeful he’ll go well.”

Lord Accord, a 16-length winner at this track and trip last time, is the 100-30 favourite to go one better in the £80,000 contest than when chasing home Frodon in 2022.

The Changing Man is a 7-2 chance to provide trainer Joe Tizzard with a big West Country weekend double after JPR One’s success in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on Friday.

Last year's Grand Sefton-winning combination backed for repeat success

Gaboriot has been backed into 6-1 (from 8) to provide Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero with back-to-back wins in the BoyleSports Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (2.40).

Gesskille won Aintree’s £75,000 feature event last year for Greenall and Guerriero, whose Gaboriot won five races last season including at Cheltenham in May. The eight-year-old reverts from hunter chasing and unseated Harry Myddelton on his first try over the Grand National fences in April but that has not dissuaded punters.

King Turgeon, who bids to defy a 7lb penalty incurred for a ten-length romp at Chepstow last Tuesday, has been cut to 11-2 (from 6). 

He comes into the race officially 2lb well in as he aims to follow up under David Pipe's stable jockey Jack Tudor, who aims for a first victory on the grey at the fourth attempt. Harry Cobden was aboard for King Turgeon's Chepstow success.

King Turgeon (left): favourite for the Grand SeftonCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Pipe won this race, the first of the season staged over the Grand National fences, in 2014 with Poole Master and said: “We have schooled him over our National fences at home and he jumps them very well.”

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: “King Turgeon and Gaboriot both have plenty of supporters with both protagonists having been impressive on their latest starts, the former having the fitness edge, having scored just 11 days ago. Frero Banbou is currently going the other way having taken a significant walk in the market.”

There has also been support for Coastguard Station in the preceding 2m handicap chase (2.05), one of three live races on ITV from Aintree.

Coastguard Station was dropped 2lb despite finishing fourth at Cheltenham last time and his form figures for the year over fences before that respectable run were 2121.

The Henry Oliver-trained eight-year-old is 3-1 (from 7-2) to get back to winning ways with Imperial Saint, who made a successful chasing debut over course and distance on Old Roan Chase day, the general 13-8 favourite.

Slight going change at Aintree

The going at Aintree was changed from good, good to soft in places to good on the Mildmay course on Saturday morning.

The track was selectively watered on Friday with 5mm applied, the same amount that went on the course on Tuesday and Thursday respectively.

The going on the National course remains good to soft, good in places and sunny spells are forecast on Saturday.

The ground at Wincanton remains good for its Badger Beer Chase (3.30) card. 

The track, which will show five live races on ITV, had 6-8mm of water applied to the majority of the back straight on Friday.

Non-runners

Aintree
1.30 4 Della Casa Lunga

Wincanton
1.09 5 Duke Of Luckley
1.45 6 Good Look Charm, 14 Ma Belle Noire
2.55 4 Forever William
4.05 2 Quaviste

Doncaster
11.45 6 Broken Spear
2.00 8 Barry's Boy
3.10 1 Albany

Read our Saturday previews:

1.45 Wincanton: 'There are a few positives there' – can Honeyball pair Good Look Charm and Pure Theatre outrun their big odds? 

2.40 Aintree: 'He’s in very good form, has a great record fresh and knows how to win' - analysis and key quotes for the Grand Sefton 

3.30 Wincanton: 'He’s in beautiful form and has a lovely racing weight' - who fancies their chance of being the Badger Beer toast? 

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