'He’s in beautiful form and has a lovely racing weight' - who fancies their chance of being the Badger Beer toast?

Only a mighty weight-carrying performance from three-time Grade 1 winner Frodon prevented Lord Accord from landing the Badger Beer two years ago, and hopes are high the nine-year-old can go one better this time.

One of two representatives for owners, Lynne and Angus Maclennan, Lord Accord comes into the race after wide-margin Sedgefield and Wincanton victories.

Despite those successes, which were gained by an aggregate of 32 lengths, the Neil Mulholland-trained chaser is still 8lb below the mark off which he contested this race in 2022, and is clearly still well treated on his best form.

“He won his last two races nicely, likes the track, and has got a nice low weight,” Mulholland said. “He’s run well in the race before and feels in good form at home. His confidence is high after those wins.”

The Maclennans also own Mofasa, a second-season chaser who retains scope for further improvement under the tutelage of Paul Nicholls.

“It’s a big day for them,” Mulholland added. “They are great supporters of the game and if Lord Accord doesn’t win, I hope they can do so with Mofasa.”

'The Changing Man is well handicapped' - Tizzard

Second-season chasers often excel in valuable handicaps, and The Changing Man looks an ideal Badger Beer candidate.

Although he has yet to win from five starts over fences, the seven-year-old ran a blinder on his final start last season when second to Regal Blue on heavy ground at Uttoxeter.

He pulled 22 lengths clear of the third, Val Dancer, who gave the form a timely boost when winning the 3m2f Cumberland Handicap Chase at Carlisle last Sunday.

Probably more effective on good going, The Changing Man starts his campaign with an official handicap rating 2lb lower than when he began his chasing career 12 months ago.

It’s no surprise trainer Joe Tizzard considers him to be “well handicapped” and punters have taken note.

“We’ve had this race in mind for him all through the autumn,” Tizzard said. “He’s in beautiful form and has a lovely racing weight. I suppose you could say he’s in the deep end this time as the Badger Beer is always a good race, but I do think he’s a well-handicapped horse.

“He ran well all through last season even though he didn’t win. We were disappointed that he didn’t manage to win, particularly at Uttoxeter, but it could prove a blessing in disguise with this season in mind. He has got a lot of experience over fences now.”

What they say

Sam Thomas, trainer of Al Dancer
He has enjoyed a good holiday and we’ve got to start him somewhere. It’s a tough ask, but there aren’t many options for a horse with his sort of handicap rating. It’s increasingly hard to place him. I’m going to walk the course before racing just to check the ground will be okay for him.

David Pipe, trainer of Remastered
It was great to see him bounce back to form at Wincanton last time. He loves the track and the ground will be fine for him. It’s a more competitive race, but hopefully he’ll run well.

Anthony Honeyball, trainer of Forward Plan, Lord Baddesley and Gustavian
Forward Plan enjoyed a cracking season last year, and has only gone up 6lb after winning over £100,000 in prize-money. I do feel he’s still competitively handicapped. He could finish only sixth in this race last year, but I was quite pleased with his performance as the soft ground wouldn’t have suited him. Good ground is right up his street. Conditions will be much more in his favour this time and I am very hopeful he’ll go well. Lord Baddesley looks the type who could go well fresh. He will like the track and ground. There are plenty of things in his favour although the distance is a slight unknown - I just have a feeling it will suit him fine. We’ve had this race in mind since we got him. Gustavian ran one of his best races over three miles on good ground at Exeter. The soft ground tested his stamina in this race last year and found him out. There are not many races for him at this time of year, so we thought we’d give it another go. He goes a nice gallop and jumps well.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Riskintheground
He’s got to get the trip as he’s never tried it before, but he’s bred to get it. We’ll see how it goes and if he gets it, then he’d be a player as the ground and track will definitely suit him.

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