Badger Ales Trophy 2012

3.25 Wincanton

Badger Ales Trophy (Listed Handicap Chase) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner £34,170

Advice: 1 pt win Diamond Harry (7/1 general), 1 pt win The Package (11/2 general)

Diamond Harry: As talented as any horse going on his day, and just 5 runs ago he was seen as Gold Cup prospect when winning Hennessy in near record time off a 6lbs lower mark; Disappointed badly since but he might have gone on too strong when fourth in Betfair Chase and it’s now clear he doesn’t like Cheltenham; Noted that he’s fragile but goes exceptionally well fresh and well in here if running to his best.

Tamrinbleu: Sometimes moody but still has his fair share of talent as he showed during the first half of last season in Veterans’s chases, winning at Haydock before the turn of the year; Not in same form since and looks to be in too good a race today.

West End Rocker: Impressive when winning Becher Chase by wide margin around this time last year for all that winning margin was exaggerated by distance and conditions and he struggled badly since; Wants a more extreme staying test.  

Zarrafakt: Just the 6 chase starts and two wins, but wide margin win here hinted at significant potential for future handicap chases and good record going this way round; Big chance here if back to his C&D best of just two runs.  

Golden Chieftain: Very talented and big engine when it all comes together, as he showed when bolting up by 14 lengths here when last seen; Only the one chase win at 3m or further but makes big appeal for in from team with great recent run of form..

Michel Le Bon: Created a good impression when winning two of his three novice hurdles (one by 21 lengths) as a prelude to chasing, which started in exceptional style when cantering around Newbury unopposed; Leg trouble kept him out since then but kept in the highest regard by his trainer and went really well for a long way until blowing up thanks to lack of fitness; Racing Plus Chase blowout disappointing considering that he’d been back for a while, but showed he retained some sort of ability when winning handicap hurdle at Cheltenham; Can go well but others preferred.  

The Package  Been extremely progressive ever since tackling fences and reached high level of form in handicaps, coming second and fourth in two renewals of 3m handicap chase at Cheltenham Festival, latter after a long layoff (also third in this a couple of seasons back); Same mark for his run today and should go close here today.

Triangular: Can appreciate that he might not have enjoyed the National fences and also might have needed the run on seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham but struggled badly in the two runs he’s had since winning at Newbury so easily last term and others make more appeal.

Mic’s Delight: Scored twice over intermediate distance at Maket Rasen in the last campaign and fair effort when he was second on his last start, for all that he was beaten out of fight by horse bordering on Graded class; Needs to brush up on his jumping.

No Loose Change: Laboured from early stage before being pulled up on seasonal debut and same story when beaten favourite at Ayr on last run of last season; Had bolted up in good style at Newbury beforehand but doesn’t look good enough.

Amigayle: Would have a terrific chance if able to show her best (third in 2m5f race at Cheltenham Festival and then fourth over the National fences); but previous seasons suggest that she’ll need this reappearance run.

Ballyallia Man: Should relish the step up in trip judging by his victory at Market Rasen in April where he rallied to win over 2m4f; Just beginning to get going when hampered by loose horse on his comeback at Chepstow and interesting back over fences, for all that this is significantly tougher than he’s used to.

Life Of A Luso: Nearly impossible to fancy on several counts.

VERDICT: A competitive and strong renewal with several interesting angles, although if DIAMOND HARRY is back to his best then he’ll be the one to beat and despite his well-documented problems , he’s impossible to resist of a lower mark than that of his Hennessy win, gained in one of the strongest renewals of recent memory. He’s has excuses for his poor runs since and if fit, will take all the catching here and makes instant appeal at 7/1. For a second contender, THE PACKAGE fits the bill. His efforts in the 3m handicap chase at the Cheltenham are some of the best form in the field and a mark of 139 is more than respectable for a horse that goes well fresh. It’s understandable that Michel Le Bon has been well supported after his 3m handicap hurdle win last year given how highly Paul Nicholls rated him before and after injury, but his blowout in the Racing Plus Chase was very disappointing and this isn’t an easy race for him to start his season in.