Give Me A Copper unlikely to run in Becher with Harry Cobden at Sandown

Badger Beers Silver Trophy winner Give Me A Copper is unlikely to contest the Randox Health Becher Chase at Aintree.

Paul Nicholls mentioned next Saturday’s race over the Grand National fences as a possible target, in the aftermath of the nine-year-old’s Wincanton success and he is 8-1 favourite for the race wth most firms.

However, the champion trainer is not keen on breaking up the partnership Give Me A Copper has forged with jockey Harry Cobden – who will be at Sandown to ride Politologue in the Tingle Creek – so a contest at Ascot on December 21 is the more likely route.

Nicholls said: “Give Me A Copper might have an entry in the London National (at Sandown), but I might wait for the Listed race (Dave Dawes Silver Cup) at Ascot in three weeks’ time.

“He probably won’t run in the Becher Chase, because Harry will be at Sandown, and I’m not that keen to run him without Harry.”

A short break may benefit Give Me A Copper in any case.

Nicholls added: “I’m not convinced he is ready to run again, because he just takes a bit of space between races. I will talk to Ged Mason (part owner), and he might just wait until Ascot.

“The Becher was one of the possibilities after Wincanton, but I did say he needs to be fresh and right, so there is no panic to run him.

“He did feel the race a bit last time – but he is one of those that just needs to be fresh.”

Meanwhile, Definitly Red is an intended runner at Aintree – but whether he runs in the Many Clouds Chase or the Becher Chase has still to be decided.

Brian Ellison’s stalwart got stuck in the mud on his return in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby, but loves his trips to Merseyside.

He has won the Many Clouds for the past two years, although a crack at the Becher over the famous National fences is also an option for connections.

“He’ll go to Aintree, we haven’t decided whether to go for the Becher or the Many Clouds, but he’s in great form,” said Ellison.

“In the Charlie Hall he was never happy on the ground, he’s never handled it like it was, horrible and sticky – he’s such a lovely-moving horse.

“He came back very tired after the race, but he’s fine. Obviously he’s won the Many Clouds for the last two years, but his long term aim is the National.

“It’s not as if he needs practice over the National fences, though, as the year he ran in it he was loving it before he got brought down. But that’s the National for you, that can happen.”