The hat-trick seeking Lord Accord is set to take on nine rivals in the 63rd Badger Beer Handicap Chase at Wincanton on Saturday.
Neil Mulholland’s runner has won his last two races by a combined 32l – including a C&D success last time out – but is still 8lbs lower in the handicap compared to two years ago when finishing second behind Frodon in this.
Remastered is the only other contender to head into Saturday’s 15:30 in winning form after a short head victory at Wincanton less than a fortnight ago, although the veteran runner has been hit with a 5lbs rise in the handicap for that success.
2022 Grand Sefton winner Al Dancer heads the weights on his return to handicap company after finishing last of seven in the Grade 2 Oaksey Chase on the final day of last season.
Anthony Honeyball – based less than an hour from the track – saddles three runners in last season’s Coral Trophy hero Forward Plan, Lord Baddesley and Gustavian, who is 4lbs out of the handicap.
The latest Badger Beer Handicap Chase odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Badger Beer Handicap Chase 2024 verdict
Timeform: THE CHANGING MAN pulled a long way clear of the rest when chasing home one who rather had the run of things at Uttoxeter in March and, likely to do better still in his second season over fences, he gets the nod. The hat-trick seeking Lord Accord is next on the list ahead of Remastered, while Mofasa needs to get back on track but he will be a danger to all if able to do so off this reduced mark.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Badger Beer Handicap Chase 2024 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Badger Beer Handicap Chase 2024.
Al Dancer
Trainer: Sam Thomas Jockey: Callum Pritchard Age: 11 Weight: 12st 0lbs
Made a winning seasonal reappearance at Chepstow last term and followed that with a series of creditable efforts in defeat. Well held in a Sandown Grade 2 when last seen in April, though, and he looks vulnerable under top-weight here.
**
Remastered
Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: Tom Bellamy Age: 11 Weight: 11st 5lbs
Last season was a write-off but he’s smart on his day and proved that plenty of ability remains when recently scoring here (26.7f, good) on return from a 6-month absence. Remains on a good mark up 5 lb and should make his presence felt.
***
Forward Plan
Trainer: Anthony Honeyball Jockey: Ben Godfrey Age: 8 Weight: 10st 12lbs
Progressive chaser who raised his game when outpointing Al Dancer in the Coral Trophy at Kempton (3m, soft) in February. Subsequent third in a big Aintree handicap was no backward step and he’ll be a threat if fully tuned-up for this.
***
The Big Breakaway
Trainer: Anthony Charlton Jockey: Ben Jones Age: 9 Weight: 10st 9lbs
Now 13 lb lower compared to when finishing second in the Welsh National at Chepstow in December 2022 but hasn’t come close to matching that form in 7 subsequent appearances. Opposable starting out for new yard here following 9 months off.
**
Riskintheground
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Harry Skelton Age: 7 Weight: 10st 8lbs
Much improved over fences since dropped back in trip, bagging his fourth success at Bangor in September. Posted another good effort when third of 11 at Cheltenham (19.8f, good) recently but more needed now upped in trip.
**
The Changing Man
Trainer: Joe Tizzard Jockey: Brendan Powell Age: 7 Weight: 10st 4lbs
Progressive over hurdles and further step forward when splitting Stay Away Fay and Grey Dawning on chase debut at Exeter last November. Back on the up when second at Uttoxeter (3m, heavy) on final start of last term (since undergone a wind op) and he’s a major player in a first-time tongue strap.
*****
Mofasa
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden Age: 8 Weight: 10st 4lbs
Dual hurdles winner for Michael Scudamore and positive start over fences for this yard last term, building on debut promise in this sphere when landing a 3m Huntingdon handicap last November. Well held in 3 subsequent starts but he is not one to write off.
***
Lord Baddesley
Trainer: Anthony Honeyball Jockey: Rex Dingle Age: 9 Weight: 10st 3lbs
Successful over hurdles/fences at Plumpton in 2022/23. Good second of 8 in a 22.5f Newbury handicap chase last December but just respectable efforts at Kempton next 2 starts. Tongue strap enlisted on this return/debut for new yard.
***
Lord Accord
Trainer: Neil Mulholland Jockey: Richie McLernon Age: 9 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Rather went off the boil last season but belatedly cashed in on a lower hurdles mark returning from 8 weeks off at Sedgefield in September. Followed up in similarly emphatic fashion back chasing over C&D (good) last month, for which a 5 lb rise looks fair. Key player.
****
Gustavian
Trainer: Anthony Honeyball Jockey: Gavin Sheehan Age: 9 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Sole success over fences to date came in 3-runner affair at Exeter back in February 2023 and he’s 4 lb ‘wrong’ at the weights.
**
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