November 05 / 14.50 Wincanton

14.50

Good

61st Badger Beer Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £41608
  • 3m 1f 30y
  • Class 1
  • 13 runners
ITV4
View Course
61st Badger Beer Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

OUR TIP

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.30

Form: /1470- C

Last run: 235 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 158

Form & Verdict
Top-class chaser with an endless list of big-race wins to his name and he returned last season with victory in this weekend's 3m Grade 1 chase at Down Royal; that was as good as it got last term but he's accustomed to keeping far classier company than this and the handicapper has given him a right chance; likes to lead but has won after tracking the pace; also won straight after his previous wind op; major claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

26th Dec 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:30 Kempton

Frodon

11st 10lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Paul Nicholls

Made all in this race in 2020; fourth in 2021 and third in 2022 (soundly beaten each time); showed last season that he retains considerable spark and he could improve for last month's reappearance third in the Badger Beer at Wincanton, but it's highly likely that this 11yo is vulnerable today.

33/1

3rd

1

11th Nov 2023

Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 1

14:25 Wincanton

Frodon

12st 0lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Paul Nicholls

High-class chaser with an endless list of big-race wins on the board under his perfect partner Bryony Frost, including a heroic success off the very same mark in this 12 months ago; has an outstanding record when fresh and this venue is made for him (2-2); unlikely to relinquish his crown without a fight, especially should conditions dry out.

100/30

9th

1

29th Apr 2023

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

14:15 Sandown

Frodon

12st 0lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Paul Nicholls

Tremendous front-running chaser down the years, including on testing ground, and ran respectably in major 3m handicap at Kempton most recently; defied top weight at Wincanton (3m1f, good to firm) in November but has never looked like he's crying out for this longer distance; may get outstayed.

14/1

5/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 3P-531 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Returned to fences at Cheltenham two weeks ago (3m1f, good) and produced a career-best performance when asserting three out and collecting by nearly 5l; a 5lb rise could have been a lot worse and he has appreciably less to prove than a lot of these.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:30 Warwick

Lord Accord

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Pulled up at the Cheltenham Festival a fortnight ago when back from a break; this 11yo is back in much calmer waters today and he's a player if rediscovering the good front-running form he was showing on good/good to soft ground in the autumn when these blinkers first went on.

15/2

24

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Lord Accord

10st 10lb

J: Mr N McParlan

T: Neil Mulholland

Course winner who scored in first-time blinkers (retained since) at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft) in October before 11l second at Ascot (3m5f, good); this 11yo returns from a break today and may find this too competitive.

50/1

7/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 31P5-5

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Won a major 3m handicap at Kempton in February (good to soft) and didn't shape at all badly on his reappearance at Chepstow given he has an ordinary record when fresh; ran well to be fourth in this last year and he races off 3lb lower today; has no obvious ground preferences; strongly considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

21st Jun 2025

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 4

17:15 Bangor-on-Dee

Cap Du Nord

11st 7lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Not quite a year since he won off a 20lb higher mark at Perth (3m, good); insufficient encouragement on last two stasrts, even allowing for the inadequacy of the trip, and hopes rest with the return of the cheekpieces worn for last four wins.

8/1

4th

6

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:23 Worcester

Cap Du Nord

10st 13lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Has won plenty during his career but now on the downgrade and has struggled this year; needs further as well.

10/1

4th

6

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:23 Worcester

Cap Du Nord

10st 13lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Christian Williams

Has won plenty during his career but now on the downgrade and has struggled this year; needs further as well.

10/1

Form: 4/F5-P CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 12lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Repelled Potterman by the skin of his teeth in this race two years ago but could only finish fifth last year when burdened with top weight and he wasn't seen again until pulling up four weeks ago at Chepstow (2m7f; jumped poorly); too well handicapped to ignore and perhaps a visor will spark something.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

22nd Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 5

14:00 Newbury

El Presente

11st 12lb

J: Mr Tom Broughton

T: Miss S L Klug

Former winner of Wincanton's valuable Badger Beers Chase when with Kim Bailey; lost his way for that yard as age caught up and unlikely that a repeat of his recent pointing exploits will see him beat the best of these.

12/1

4

18th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

14:40 Ascot

El Presente

11st 12lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Won the Badger Beers at Wincanton (3m1f, good) in 2020 and fair fourth in the same race a fortnight ago (good to firm); that was his second start back from an absence and he could be working his way back into form, but he's done all of his winning on good/faster and slow ground is expected.

10/1

4th

4

5th Nov 2022

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 1

14:50 Wincanton

El Presente

10st 12lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey

Repelled Potterman by the skin of his teeth in this race two years ago but could only finish fifth last year when burdened with top weight and he wasn't seen again until pulling up four weeks ago at Chepstow (2m7f; jumped poorly); too well handicapped to ignore and perhaps a visor will spark something.

20/1

Form: 135121 C

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Enhanced his good strike-rate over fences (8-23) by comfortably accounting for three rivals in a 3m fast-ground handicap at Exeter 18 days ago; effectively only 1lb higher if taking into account Philip Armson's 3lb claim, but this is a different test altogether and all his wins have come in small fields; rain not welcomed, either.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

14th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

14:33 Perth

Red Happy

12st 0lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

Completed a hat-trick at around 3m in February/March 2025 but not seen again until refusing to race when a 20-1 shot at Kelso 24 days ago; can only watch after that.

12/1

5

20th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 96y

Class 3

15:30 Kelso

Red Happy

11st 2lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

In excellent form in February/March 2025, winning three in a row at around 3m (good to soft/good), but has fitness to prove after 393-day absence and will need to hit the ground running to have any chance off current mark.

15/2

1st

4

23rd Mar 2025

Good

3m 0f 110y

Class 2

15:20 Carlisle

Red Happy

11st 10lb

J: Jonathon Bewley

T: George Bewley

in touch with leaders

7/1

10/1

Form: 2PP1P-

Last run: 196 days

W: 11st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 149

Form & Verdict
Likes this race having finished runner-up in the last two renewals, off 9lb lower in 2020 and 1lb lower last year; needs the ground to remain good if he's to make it third-time lucky but even then, off this mark he has zero margin for error.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

26th Nov 2022

Good

3m 1f 214y

Class 1

15:05 Newbury

Potterman

11st 3lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Landed the big 3m5f handicap off 2lb lower at Sandown two seasons back; however, has lacked consistency since and failed to complete (unseated then pulled up) in the last two runnings of this contest; chance partly depends on how well he responds to first-time headgear.

40/1

6th

2

5th Nov 2022

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 1

14:50 Wincanton

Potterman

11st 5lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Alan King

Likes this race having finished runner-up in the last two renewals, off 9lb lower in 2020 and 1lb lower last year; needs the ground to remain good if he's to make it third-time lucky but even then, off this mark he has zero margin for error.

10/1

Form: 41PP5- CD

Last run: 222 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Lost his way completely last season but this is very much his time of year and he beat a few of these in this 12 months ago off 2lb higher; races prominently and, if he's in similar form a year on, should be on the scene.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

12th Apr 2023

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

17:05 Southwell

Rocco

12st 0lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

prominent, lost ground after 8th, pushed along when towards rear after 10th, got behind after 3 out

20/1

4th

4

24th Feb 2023

Good

2m 7f 25y

Class 4

16:17 Exeter

Rocco

11st 7lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

prominent, lost position after 2nd, towards rear after 5th, pushed along before 4 out, ridden before 3 out, soon no impression and beaten

10/1

4th

1

27th Jan 2023

Good

3m 0f 84y

Class 4

15:45 Doncaster

Rocco

12st 0lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Won a high-profile staying chase at Wincanton (3m1f, good) in autumn 2021 but has lost his way and was beaten 28l on his return to hurdles at Warwick (3m2f); dropped further in class here but with questions to answer right now.

20/1

Form: -1831P D

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Fairly dominant at Bangor (3m, good) in July when much too good for Red Happy but he then had an off-day at Cheltenham in the race won by Lord Accord; remains on a career-high mark, which he'll do well to defy in this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

5th Jul 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:23 Worcester

Nevilles Cross

11st 12lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Bangor chase winner a year ago but it's been all downhill since; tailed off at Ffos Las last month, after a short break; hopes pinned on reverting to hurdles (for first time since April 2021) and fitting of a visor.

12/1

2nd

1

8th Jun 2023

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 3

13:50 Ffos Las

Nevilles Cross

12st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Twice defied higher marks early last season, both times over 3m on good ground; mostly out of sorts since last success but could well revive in this weak contest on return from a break; not at all dismissed.

5/2

7th

5

4th Mar 2023

Good

3m 2f 1y

Class 2

15:15 Doncaster

Nevilles Cross

10st 5lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Tom Lacey

Won over 3m on good last May and July; out of form in his five starts this autumn/winter but last three were over 2m4f-2m5f and he was badly hampered early on when back on good ground last time, so excuses can be made; off 3lb lower than his last winning mark, he's not entirely dismissed.

20/1

Form: 211724

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Wasn't hit hard for winning 2m4f/3m good-ground handicaps at Perth this summer but those were a far cry from a race of this stature; unlikely to be good enough and will probably be outstayed off a strong gallop at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

1st Aug 2023

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

19:25 Perth

Golden Taipan

11st 7lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

raced in last, went third 11th, ridden after 3 out, went remote second before 2 out, no match for winner

6/4

2nd

2

11th Jun 2023

Good

2m 4f 20y

Class 3

15:35 Perth

Golden Taipan

11st 13lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Fergal O’Brien

in touch with leaders, not fluent 7th

7/1

6th

4

12th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 3

14:50 Market Rasen

Golden Taipan

11st 11lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Fergal O’Brien

3m winner who is best on good ground; may have needed the run after a break when pulled up after a bad mistake at Kempton last time.

16/1

Form: /FP4P- C

Last run: 196 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Has slipped back to the same mark off which he finished first in Sandown's big end-of-season finale in April 2021 only to be demoted for causing interference (Potterman awarded the race); completed in only one of his four runs last season but he could easily revive this campaign following further wind surgery.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

21st Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 5

17:10 Newbury

Enrilo

11st 12lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Inconsistent in recent years but has always been talented and the horse who beat him on his hunter chase debut at Ludlow (3m, good to soft) has run well since in defeat (behind Bardenstown Lad who was well held last week at Cheltenham); Paul Nicholls has won three of the last six runnings of this race.

2/1

2nd

2

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

16:45 Ludlow

Enrilo

11st 12lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Formerly smart but inconsistent in recent years and he was pulled up in a 2m7f handicap chase on his return in October (after further wind surgery); still dangerous to dismiss in a hunter chase (debut) on the strength of his close third at Taunton last March (three runs back).

11/8

2nd

2

5th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

16:45 Ludlow

Enrilo

11st 12lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Formerly smart but inconsistent in recent years and he was pulled up in a 2m7f handicap chase on his return in October (after further wind surgery); still dangerous to dismiss in a hunter chase (debut) on the strength of his close third at Taunton last March (three runs back).

11/8

Form: P-4P52 C

Last run: 46 days

W: 10st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
It was on the back of a busy spell when running well below expectations in this 12 months ago (third favourite) and he's capable off his current mark; the tongue-tie did him no harm when narrowly failing to get up at Warwick in September (3m1f); respected, though wants good ground ideally.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

24th Aug 2023

Good

2m 5f 164y

Class 3

19:50 Fontwell

Irish Prophecy

11st 9lb

J: Dylan Whelan

T: Emma Lavelle

jumped right on occasions, prominent

25/1

6th

2

4th Aug 2023

Good

3m 0f 5y

Class 3

15:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Irish Prophecy

11st 13lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Emma Lavelle

Well beaten over hurdles latest and had previously refused in a Cartmel chase so current wellbeing a doubt; on a good mark on the pick of last year's form but Tom Bellamy, who usually rides him, jumps ship.

20/1

4th

1

5th Jul 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:23 Worcester

Irish Prophecy

12st 0lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Emma Lavelle

Well beaten when refusing in a Cartmel chase in May, on his return from six months off; much lower mark for this first hurdle start since March 2021 but probably best watched for now.

10/1

Form: P1P51- D

Last run: 197 days

W: 10st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

1st May 2026

Good

4m 0f 218y

Class 4

19:25 Warwick

Slipway

11st 12lb

J: Miss Molly Armytage

T: James Luck

Former winner of Highland and Southern Nationals (good to soft), so surprising he didn't see out 3m here on January's hunter chase debut; back on track in a Siddington novice riders' point latest, additionally a first career success on good ground; safe ride (never falls) and not dismissed.

4/1

5th

4

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:18 Warwick

Slipway

12st 6lb

J: Mr Samuel Scott

T: Ben Pauling

Thorough stayer who was very respectable fifth of 14 in quite valuable Uttoxeter handicap (3m, good) on latest outing in May; also suited by soft ground and has big role to play if fully tuned up for hunter chase debut; blinkers removed after one use.

11/2

5th

6

3rd May 2025

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

17:55 Uttoxeter

Slipway

10st 12lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Won over hurdles after wind surgery and then ran okay to be fourth over 3m at Kempton in a race he won the previous season; there's nothing wrong with his mark and always a chance that blinkers will bring him on.

16/1

Form: 2P/5P-

Last run: 357 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

14th Jun 2023

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:00 Newton Abbot

Milanford

12st 0lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Max Young

Runner-up at Taunton in April and claims on that but 0-13 as a chaser and only win came in a point more than three years ago; debut for Max Young, having been trained by the owner for last eight starts.

12/1

6

8th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

13:15 Worcester

Milanford

11st 8lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Syd Hosie

Nothing like the force of old and very inconsistent in recent years to boot; ran well for a long way when second at Taunton (2m7f, good to soft; refitted cheekpieces) last month but it's hard to tell whether he'll warm to the task here.

11/2

2nd

1

13th Apr 2023

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:45 Taunton

Milanford

12st 2lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Syd Hosie

prominent, led 14th, pushed along when headed before 3 out, led again before 2 out

8/1

Non-runners

Slipway, Milanford

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £13.50
Straight Forecast £12.83
Tricast £89.66
Trifecta £88.80

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Lord Accord

RP Ratings:

Frodon

WEST COUNTRY:

Enrilo

SPOTLIGHT:

Cap Du Nord

The Sun:

Potterman

The Star:

Rocco

Daily Mirror:

Irish Prophecy

The Times:

Lord Accord

The Guardian:

Lord Accord

Daily Record:

Lord Accord

Daily Mail:

Enrilo

D Express:

Cap Du Nord

POSTDATA:

Frodon

Telegraph:

Frodon