'I only got my licence out for the craic so this is unbelievable' - Pritchard and Al Dancer stun rivals in Badger Beer

Just ten days after a first winner as a conditional, rising star Callum Pritchard produced a major Saturday shock with a sensational ride on 25-1 topweight Al Dancer in the historic Badger Beer Handicap Chase. 

The 11-year-old’s trainer Sam Thomas enjoyed his greatest moments in the saddle aboard the epic front-runner Denman and this ride was similarly daring, with the veteran setting fast fractions but showing incredible resolve to blow the field away in an unlikely victory.

Few got a clear sight of Pritchard and the freegoing grey, and when Remastered, the only rival to challenge the fast pace, came down it simply became a question of stamina. 

Lord Accord, the 11-4 favourite, led the chase, but the courageous leader simply did not tire to notch up win number ten.

Pritchard had proved no stranger to an unlikely success. He only started riding “for the craic” following persuasion from his girlfriend, and his jubilant fist in the air on crossing the line proved it was the right decision.

“This is my best moment,” said the Welsh jockey. “I only rode my first winner as a conditional last week and then a second on Wednesday for Rebecca Curtis, and hopefully it'll take off now. This was the biggest race I've ridden in so to win it is just unbelievable.

“I had nothing to do with horses as a kid. My girlfriend Hannah had a pointer with nobody to ride it so, me being me, I got my licence out for the craic, rode it two or three times and the love just grew from there. That's why we are here.

“I was no natural. I could stay on but I had a lot of learning to do. In point-to-points I had a lot of good opportunities from good trainers and then it just took off. I never thought in a million years this would come this soon. I hope with this big winner I can do the same under rules.”

Callum Pritchard is beaming after victory in the Badger Beer ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Pritchard, who joined the fast-growing Ben Pauling set-up at the start of the season, took the ride with Dai Walters' retained jockey Dylan Johnston suspended. He had just one winner under rules as an amateur last season and was riding just his third winner as a conditional here.

Thomas, too, is continuing to prove an emerging force with this result adding to his high-profile handicap successes in the Welsh Grand National, Coral Trophy and the Grand Sefton with Al Dancer.

“He’s just a mega horse,” said Thomas. “It's all well and good having the youngsters, but every trainer needs these older boys to keep flying the flag.

“You're a passenger on this horse, I promise you. It sounds silly, but he goes well when the horse feels in charge. 

"I'm very lucky to have such a legend. If he retired tomorrow I'd be happy, but if he stayed sound we'd have another look and we can look at veterans' races.”

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