14:25 Wincanton

Saturday 11 November 2023

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3216:10

62nd Badger Beer Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 6m 31.65s

Frodon^t¹⁹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 158| CD

5/1

Grand servant who defied top weight on last year's reappearance. Plenty of smart efforts in defeat later in the season and if he gets in a good rhythm at the head of affairs he looks sure to make a bold bid to defend his crown.

Form: 133539-

Sam Brown^t¹⁹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Burke| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 152| C| D

10/1

Rejuvenated by first-time blinkers when looking the likely winner of a 3m handicap at the Punchestown Festival in April until falling 2 out (just over 2 lengths ahead at the time). The blinkers are left off on this first outing since.

Form: 35P5FF-

The Big Breakaway^b²¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 149

9/1

Back to his best when recording good seconds in a valuable handicap at Haydock and the Welsh National at Chepstow at the end of 2022. Pulled up in the Ultima at Cheltenham and fell early in the Grand National in the spring but he's capable of bouncing back after a break.

Form: 3P/22PF-

Threeunderthrufive^p,t²⁰³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 147WS

3/1

Dual Grade 2 winner as a novice chaser. Failed to score late season but ended the campaign with good fourth in Scottish Grand National at Ayr and he's much respected off an unchanged mark on his reappearance (has had wind surgery). Top yard seeking a fifth win in this since 2017.

Form: 6/3U684-

Courtland¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 144

20/1

Like many from the yard he's thrived this summer, completing a hat-trick before an excellent second in the Summer Plate at Market Rasen. Resumed winning ways at Worcester (23f) in August but a further 10 lb rise found him out in the Old Roan at Aintree last month. Races over 3m+ for first time.

Form: 111216

Ashtown Lad²¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 142| BF

14/1

Took very well to the National fences when landing the Becher at Aintree last December. Placed over hurdles on next 2 starts but ended his campaign on a low note when pulled up in the Topham back at Aintree in April.

Form: 5/3123P-

Certainly Red¹⁹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: M Goldstein| T: Mrs L Richards| OR: 140| CD

8/1

Likeable sort completed a hat-trick last season, scoring twice here either side of a victory at Sandown. Found life tougher from a higher mark when seventh in the bet365 Gold Cup on final outing but eased 2lb for that and his course record and capability when fresh affords him respect.

Form: B11197-

Ballygrifincottage^p1,t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Lorcan Williams| T: D Skelton| OR: 140

25/1

Useful novice hurdler in 2021/22. Looked a smart recruit to chasing when winning at Haydock last November but pulled up in 2 subsequent starts last season. Remote last of 3 on Newton Abbot reappearance last month and has lot to prove all of a sudden. Has first-time cheekpieces added to tongue tie.

Form: 14/1PP-3

Gustavian^t²³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: R P McLernon| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 137WS

25/1

Belatedly got off the mark as a chaser in a 3-runner contest at Exeter (3m) in February and in the process of running creditably when coming down 2 out at Uttoxeter 3 weeks later. Off since.

Form: 32/431F-

Blackjack Magic^t²²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 132

5/1

Took very well to chasing for the Anthony Honeyball yard last term, winning small-field handicaps in the mud at Exeter and Uttoxeter. It's a slight concern that his jumping didn't stand up to the rigours of a more competitive race in between but he should have more improvement in him this season.

Form: 14/21P1-

Forward Plan^t²⁰³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 125

14/1

Took well to fences last season, winning twice around 3m at Southwell and good second in Ayr novice handicap on final start. He is 7 lb wrong at the weights on reappearance, though, so a big career best will be needed.

Form: 121132-

Forecasts

Threeunderthrufive (3/1), Blackjack Magic (5/1), Frodon (5/1), Certainly Red (8/1), The Big Breakaway (9/1), Sam Brown (10/1), Forward Plan (14/1), Ashtown Lad (14/1), Courtland (20/1), Gustavian (25/1), Ballygrifincottage (25/1)

FRODON has been dropped to the same mark as when landing this 12 months ago. This 11-y-o still looked just about as good as ever in the spring and can make a winning start to a campaign for a remarkable seventh time in his illustrious career. Stablemate Threeunderthrufive was a good fourth in the Scottish Grand National when last seen and can provide the chief threat ahead of Blackjack Magic, who is capable of better again but needs to prove his jumping can cope with the demands of a good race.