Badger Ales Chase 2017

Always a decent race this, but the entry actually looks way stronger than usual this year, which doesn’t make things any easier, and it’s a hard race to gauge Ante-Post…..

https://www.racingpost.com/racecards/90/wincanton/2017-11-11/686422

A few standouts at the moment

Alfie Spinner – Yes, he’s getting on now, and the yards big winners appeared to dry up a bit last year, but he just ticks a few boxes. Stablemate Russe Blanc ran well on Sunday at Carlisle, his first decent run for some time, and Alfie can boost winning course form from last season. Kept decent company in the past, and though not one for win purposes off of this mark, he represents each way potential if the race cuts up enough, which it very well could. 25’s

Carole’s Destrier – I just wonder if we could miss a trick here. I think the general view with him is that Newbury will be the target, but I just feel that running off of 154 here could be a more tempting proposition for connections than taking on the big boys in the “Hennessy”. Trainer takes this race seriously, and he could easily look obvious after the race. 16’s

Double Shuffle – Probably known better for operating over shorter distances, but his run in The National shows that this trip will pose no problems. Took care of impressive Ascot winner Go Conquer last season, and there is nothing wrong with his last run, finishing second to Romain De Senam. 151 looks a fair enough mark, and he has a live chance. 16’s

Fletchers Flyer – Absolutely chucked in off 143, that is, if he’s the same horse who won at Punchestown a year and a half ago. That was a dynamite performance, but his season didn’t really take off last term. His season seemed to be geared around Fairyhouse, and that ended in failure with him pulling up, having proved no match for Our Duke. No shame in that, and he made a good fist of it. It just remains to be seen what mark that has left on him. 14’s

Gentleman Jon – This boy is my long term fancy for this, but he just folded a little tamely for me last time here, and I’m not just as enthusiastic as I was beforehand. I still rate him though, and although a little fortunate in this last year, with the late exit of Southfield Theatre, we know he’ll act here, and after a fine summer, he looks weighted to run his race, and I haven’t talked myself out of him yet.

Master Dee – A bit of a slow burner this one, but finally getting his act together. He took care of the prolific San Benedeto at Ascot last season, and has ran 2 nice races in defeat recently, twice behind subsequent winner Guitar Pete, and also a blistering perfomance from Ballyboley. Yard had a big winner at the weekend, and it’s a yard I’m increasingly watching. Step up in trip looks like it could suit, and price is decent. 16’s

Mr Mix – I was impressed with him here last week, in that race that Gentleman Jon took in, and he had the look of a horse with more to offer. Marks looks very fair, and with the Nicholls yard always looking to have a strong hand here, he looks an obvious, and straightforward contender. 14’s

Present Man – Another Nicholls runner, and looks a worthy favourite. He did loads right last year, and a quick run through, shows plenty of decent sorts behind him as well. He looked to find the trip just beyond him at Sandown in the “Whitbread”, and having unseated in this when a short price last year, it’s hard to rule out some compensation on Saturday. He’s as low as 5’s, but there’s value there if you shop around. 8’s

Southfield Theatre – Not seen since finishing well down the field at Cheltenham last December, he was a very unlucky loser in this before that, when falling with the race at his mercy. Going back to the season before, he ran a huge race on the last day at Sandown, and having been eased a couple of pounds, if fit, he must have a serious chance here. 10’s

Tempestatefloresco – Winner of The Summer Cup at Uttoxeter, who then went on to flop at Listowel, though in his defence, the ground was totally against him. He’s had mixed success over timber since that day at Uttoxeter, but with ground not totally against him here at the moment, I’d be interested to see how he is off his current mark. Difficult to assess. 33’s

Theatre Guide – Love this horse, and always one to take seriously in big handicaps. Seems to be continually overrated, and he bagged me some nice returns last year at Kempton and Sandown. He’s flying high on a mark of 154, and I’ll wait for him later in the season. A risky approach for a very nice horse. 16’s

The Young Master – Stablemate of Carole’s Destrier, who was cruelly robbed of this race 3 years when it was discovered that he didn’t actually qualify for the race. He looked to have big things ahead of him, but bar a couple of solid runs at The Festival, and a smashing performance at Sandown, he’s overall, been a bit disappointing. He unseated on Saturday, and that was the 4th times in his last 12 runs, he’s parted company with the rider. I’m not quick to rule him out though, and with him running off 145 here, he must have some sort of chance, as much as that has to be taken on trust. 16’s

Yala Enki – I have high hopes for this horse, and he has a couple of wins to his name over the larger obstacles. I think his best piece of form though was in The Fixed Brush Hurdle at Haydock, as his wins don’t read that well now, and when upped in to better company, he’s come up a little short. Remains one with potential though, and bookies taking no chances. 12’s

The race cut up badly last year, with only seven lining up, so fraught with danger here. Carole’s Destrier is certainly fraught with danger, as the yard has other options, but I do think if he lines up, he places, and I’m going to risk that 16’s. I haven’t bet him yet, but come Saturday, 8-1 Present Man could look like a gift.

Carole’s Destrier EW 16’s