Badger Ales Trophy (Handicap Chase) (Listed Race) (CLASS 1)  

5/11/2011 Wincanton racecourse - Three miles one furlong

 

   

This year sees the 50th running of the Badger Ales Chase. A good renewal with Madison Du Berlais and Hello Bud in the line up.

The race is a listed Class 1 handicap chase chase and is a race for horses that are at least four years old. This is usually a competitive early season chase.

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List of Runners

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Race Preview

Golan Way

7 year old bay gelding who was a useful hurdler who made a good transitions to chases last year.
A progressive sort who is 2 from 4 in chases and has to carry top weight here. Acts on any surface. Good horse with a good chance.

Qulinton

Well exposed 7 year old bay gelding with 26 races already under hid belt.
When on song runs well but sometimes seems to just not turn up and puts in a poor run.
Seems better at shorter distances than this with no win at over 2m7f.

Dover´s Hill

Consistent sort with over half of his 23 runs finished in the frame.
This 9 year old bay gelding ran in to some form at the end of last season winning his last two runs. Upped in class today and will have to step up.

Madison Du Berlais

Really good 10 year old bay gelding who seemed out of sorts last year with the exception of his good 6th in the KING GEORGE at Kempton.
Runs in the top races and usually runs well which keeps him high in the handicap but last season below par sees him coming here on a lower mark (142) and looks attractive if you consider he is a winner off 169. Although he has not won for two years this past HENNESSY winner would not be a surprise winner.

The Minack

A good hurdler who made an easy transition into chasing.
Something of an enigma who although he has won a p-t-p (3M) he seems better at shorter distances around 2m5f. But was then tried at an extreme distances in the Scottish national where he did not put in any show and was pulled up.

Hello Bud

Top Class long distance chaser who is a previous winner of The Becher Chase (2010) and the Scottish National (2009).
Could not add to his great 5th in the 2010 Grand National when pulled up in last seasons event. Had an in and out last season with three runs being pulled up twice and winning once. At 13 going on 14 he is not going to be getting any better but runs from a stable that does very well at this time of year.

Benbane Head

A nice hurdler who make a good transition in novice chase events last season. Has won a hurdle at 3m 1f but looks much better at distances less than 3 miles.

Estates Recovery

A nice young 6 year old consistent sort stepping up in class. He has been on the go through the summer with a few runs and will be fit and ready for this. Running from the Hobbs stable who has good runs at this time of year.

Richard´s Sundance

11 year old bay gelding who runs well at this course with his best career run his win in the Wincanton Cup in Jan 2010.
Well exposed but was disappointing last season and is slipping down the handicap.

Gone To Lunch

Well exposed and well thought of 11 year old chestnut gelding. Pulled up in the summer national in June but a winner last time out at this course. Second to Hello Budd in the 2009 Scottish National and two good runs in the Scottish National (2nd and 7th) in the last two seasons. That will be his long term target this season but runs well this time of year with 7 of his 8 wins coming between October and December.

The Rainbow Hunter

Young 7 year old ex-pointer. Stepping up in class here today and although runs well will have to improve to take part here but could well improve.

Meanus Dandy

Last years winner went off the boil after his win. Unseated hid rider in the Becher chase later in the month before being given 4 months off and then ran 7th in a chase at Doncaster. Was pulled up in the BET365 GOLD CUP at the end of the season. From the Paul Nichols stable and although he is the second string he should not be overlooked.

Alderluck

Reasonable hurdler who is another who has taken well to chasing. Steps up in class and will have to improve but running off a low weight here today and that may make the difference.

Checkerboard

Reasonable chaser who has had two previous runs this season and has performed well if at lower class than this. Has just moved stables to Fergal O´Brien and may run well first time out for him. Has a very light weight and will be fit from previous runs and that will be to his advantage.

The Selection is Madison Du Berlais (E/W)

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Result of the Race

 
 
 
 
 

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