November 09 / 15.30 Wincanton

15.30

Good

63rd Badger Beer Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £47552
  • 3m 1f 30y
  • Class 1
  • 10 runners
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63rd Badger Beer Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £26.70
  • Place: £4.90

Form: 13327-

Last run: 196 days

W: 12st 0lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 154

Form & Verdict
Found to have a wound on his leg when last to finish in a 2m6f Grade 2 at Sandown on final appearance; pretty much as good as ever at times last season and succumbed only to Forward Plan in Kempton's big 3m February handicap (soft; effective on good); not handicapped out of this with Callum Pritchard claiming 7lb and he's usually mustard after a break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

9th Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 1

15:30 Wincanton

Al Dancer

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Sam Thomas

pressed leaders, led 2nd, left clear 4 out, went clear from 2 out, ridden after last, kept on well

16/1

1st

1

9th Nov 2024

Good

3m 1f 30y

Class 1

15:30 Wincanton

Al Dancer

12st 0lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Sam Thomas

Found to have a wound on his leg when last to finish in a 2m6f Grade 2 at Sandown on final appearance; pretty much as good as ever at times last season and succumbed only to Forward Plan in Kempton's big 3m February handicap (soft; effective on good); not handicapped out of this with Callum Pritchard claiming 7lb and he's usually mustard after a break.

16/1

4

27th Apr 2024

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:25 Sandown

Al Dancer

11st 2lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Sam Thomas

More or less as good as ever in handicaps this season, winning at Chepstow and running a blinder when second in valuable event at Kempton (3m, soft) in February; arrives here relatively fresh and doesn't have much to find on the ratings, even though Dylan Johnston cannot claim his usual 5lb.

8/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 6-4311 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Has come good again off his reduced mark to dominate two small-field good-ground handicaps at Sedgefield, over 3m3f and 3m1f; back up a collective 11lb but he was 8lb higher when a clear second to Frodon in this two years ago; now in such good order again he has to make the shortlist.
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

20/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 6U343- D

Last run: 215 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Just one win to show from 17 attempts over fences and there's a race-ending blunder in him; however, a case can be made on flashes of his good form and he's dropped to a tempting mark (even from out of the weights); often front-runs and, if finding some rhythm, he could be a surprise package.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Kempton

Gustavian

12st 0lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Solid performances in notable handicaps this season, winning the Badger Beers at Wincanton then fourth in the Stayers' Veterans' Final at Sandown and Ladbrokes Trophy over C&D; retains plenty of ability despite his advancing years; respected back down in class.

9/4

4th

8

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Gustavian

10st 12lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Jumped well and dominated throughout in the Badger Beers at Wincanton (3m1f, good; handles softer) and gave it another good go off this 8lb higher mark at Sandown; assured competition for the lead here has to reduce his appeal.

25/1

7th

7

1st Mar 2025

Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

13:20 Newbury

Gustavian

10st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

didn't jump with fluency, disputed lead, hit 5th

7/2

Form: 61213- D

Last run: 210 days

W: 10st 12lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Disappointing sixth in this last year but admirably consistent afterwards in 3m/3m1f handicaps, signing off with a good third on the Grand National card; this career-high mark isn't beyond him and the stable's winner of this 12 months ago was returning from a similar absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Forward Plan

11st 9lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Anthony Honeyball

held up in rear

11/2

5

25th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 1

15:15 Doncaster

Forward Plan

11st 9lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Anthony Honeyball

held up in rear

11/2

3rd

5

14th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 214y

Class 2

14:05 Doncaster

Forward Plan

11st 2lb

J: Ben Godfrey

T: Anthony Honeyball

Won this 12 months ago (good to soft) and continued in fine form last season, adding a competitive handicap at Kempton (3m, soft) in February; there could still be mileage in his mark and he may have needed last month's reappearance run at Wincanton (well-beaten fourth); one to consider.

5/1

Form: 115133

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
While others are just getting going this 7yo has already enjoyed a productive campaign with four handicap wins on the board (2m4f/2m5f) and his recent defeats were no backward steps, the latest at Cheltenham; however, the handicapper may now have his measure and, although he just about stays 3m, others may see this out stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

24th May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:03 Uttoxeter

Riskintheground

11st 9lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Good ground is the key to him; his form had nosedived but he was running much better when hampered late on at the Cheltenham Festival and then came good at Haydock (2m4f, good), prevailing only narrowly but under a confident ride in a strong race (he also won it the season before when staged at Cheltenham); a 4lb rise seems very generous.

11/8

1st

4

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Riskintheground

11st 4lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won this race 12 months ago at Cheltenham when 1lb higher so he's dangerously handicapped for his defence; his form had nosedived after winning in a small field at Newton Abbot in October but the signs were more encouraging last time in the 2m4f Plate at the Festival as he was staying on when hampered by a faller at the last fence; has to be of interest, especially given the yard's form.

4/1

11th

13

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Riskintheground

10st 11lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

He's run some of his better races at Cheltenham, including a New course win (about 2m4f, good; off this mark) from O'Moore Park last April; not much going for him on his form since beating three rivals at Newton Abbot in October but some sort of revival isn't beyond the imagination.

33/1

Form: 7274-V

Last run: 183 days

W: 10st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Best form is at shorter and was beaten about 9l when trying 3m for the first time at Kempton in February, finishing behind Forward Plan and Al Dancer; could be given another chance over this far and he's now with Anthony Honeyball, who won this last year and runs three; the race was voided when trying a tongue-tie in May.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

13th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

19:30 Newton Abbot

Lord Baddesley

10st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Rather lost his way last season after winning at Newbury in October and last week's Fakenham run was an all-time low; tries a visor this time, but blinkers and cheekpieces did nothing for him.

8/1

6th

6

4th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 2

16:03 Fakenham

Lord Baddesley

10st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Easily won three-runner race at Newbury (2m4f, good) in October but subsequent form last season was underwhelming; well handicapped now (even from 1lb out of the weights) and will probably be okay back at 3m but needs the new cheekpieces to perk him up.

11/2

7th

15

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 2

15:20 Haydock

Lord Baddesley

10st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Easily won three-runner handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good) on reappearance; jumped left when 6l third of four at right-handed Ascot (2m5f, good) next time, and his 13l sixth of nine at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) came in a race that worked out extremely well; heavy going excuses him being tailed off at Warwick and he could go well now back on better ground.

25/1

Form: /7PP-1 C

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 5lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Feasibly handicapped on old form but he's gone up 5lb for a short-head success over 3m2f here 13 days ago and that was an easier race than this; every bit as worrying is whether he'll follow one good run with another.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 2

14:35 Market Rasen

Remastered

11st 5lb

J: David Noonan

T: David Pipe

led narrowly or disputed lead, prominent when headed 3rd, slow jump and lost position 4th, soon struggling, detached from 6th, soon pulled up

9/1

3

17th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 2

14:35 Market Rasen

Remastered

11st 5lb

J: David Noonan

T: David Pipe

2023 and 2024 did not go at all well until he won by a short head at Wincanton (extended 3m2f) in October last year; the fences have got in the way on both starts since and he's not the percentage call, but his old peak chase form was smart; blinkered first time.

9/1

Form: 5PP66- D

Last run: 272 days

W: 10st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
No wins in 17 races since his successful chase debut in 2020; became notoriously hard to predict for the Tizzards and a change of scenery might have done him good, but even then softer ground would be preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16

24th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

13:50 Cheltenham

The Big Breakaway

10st 2lb

J: Paddy Hanlon

T: Syd Hosie

Smart in his prime but has not shown a great deal this season and was tailed off in C&D contest won by Final Orders last month; effectively 1lb higher today; difficult to enthuse over.

66/1

3rd

2

9th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 5f 54y

Class 3

16:58 Warwick

The Big Breakaway

12st 0lb

J: Miss Anna Johnston

T: Anthony Charlton

Regular in marathon chases who bounced back to form when second of 14 in this headgear combination at Bangor (3m6f, soft; 40-1) last month; back up 5lb and despite some fine efforts he has gone 22 starts without a win since November 2020; others more solid.

11/2

2nd

1

7th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 5f 142y

Class 4

14:12 Bangor-on-Dee

The Big Breakaway

12st 0lb

J: Miss Anna Johnston

T: Anthony Charlton

Former Welsh National runner-up but rarely seems up for the challenge these days and was beaten a distance on his sole completion this season; new headgear provides some cause for optimism but far too risky to trust.

33/1

Form: 2U442- BF

Last run: 238 days

W: 10st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Interesting second-season chaser who on his first run back last season split Stay Away Fay and Grey Dawning over 3m at Exeter (good to soft); not a lot went right afterwards until he signed off with a clear second at Uttoxeter in what's always a strong novice handicap; has won on good ground; had wind op and now wears a tongue-tie; potentially the best handicapped of these.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

The Changing Man

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Unfair to knock his strike-rate of 1-12 over fences as he's run some crackers in defeat, with four seconds last season including a strong C&D handicap and the Ultima at Cheltenham in March; quite likely that he was over the top when last to finish in the 3m1f Grade 1 novice at Aintree; tough, consistent and much respected despite a challenging mark.

100/30

4

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

The Changing Man

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Unfair to knock his strike-rate of 1-12 over fences as he's run some crackers in defeat, with four seconds last season including a strong C&D handicap and the Ultima at Cheltenham in March; quite likely that he was over the top when last to finish in the 3m1f Grade 1 novice at Aintree; tough, consistent and much respected despite a challenging mark.

100/30

3rd

7

4th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

The Changing Man

11st 7lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Only 1-11 over fences, the success in a Grade 2 Reynoldstown at Ascot that essentially fell apart; however, he's proved very consistent in good handicaps otherwise this term, second at the Cheltenham Festival (3m1f, good to soft) most recently; again likely to give his running.

10/1

Form: 2155P-

Last run: 203 days

W: 10st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Last season fizzled out to nothing after it had started well, chasing home the smart Broadway Boy before winning off this mark at Huntingdon (2m7f, good to soft); there were reasons behind his loss of form, however, and he remains unexposed as a stayer; goes well fresh and his trainer targets this race, having won it 11 times already.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

11

9th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 25y

Class 2

15:33 Exeter

Mofasa

11st 1lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Pulled up on final start last season and the same story on both this term, tried in cheekpieces on latest; 13lb below his career-high mark and reverts to hurdling (from chasing) for the first time since April 2023.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £128.30
Straight Forecast £95.68
Tricast £683.34
Trifecta £1202.20

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Lord Accord

WEST COUNTRY:

Forward Plan

D Express:

Lord Baddesley

SPOTLIGHT:

Gustavian

Telegraph:

Al Dancer

TOPSPEED:

Lord Accord

POSTDATA:

Lord Accord

The Times:

Lord Accord

The Guardian:

Lord Accord

Daily Mail:

Lord Accord

Daily Mirror:

Lord Accord

The Sun:

Lord Accord

The Star:

Lord Accord

Daily Record:

Lord Accord