This weekend, Wincanton takes its turn in the racing spotlight with a cracking Saturday afternoon fixture. The 64th edition of the Badger Beers Handicap Chase is likely to generate most of the betting interest. However, the highest-class action comes earlier on the seven-race card. Of the three Grade 2 events held at the Somerset venue each year, two take place on Saturday.
With the 2025 fields confirmed, the Rising Stars Novices’ Chase, Elite Hurdle, and Badger Beers Handicap Chase have attracted a total of only 16 runners. One man represented in all three signature events is Somerset-based 14-time Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls.
Based just down the road in Ditcheat, Nicholls always targets the Badger Beers fixture – often with significant success. Already the most successful trainer in the history of the Badger Beers Handicap Chase, Rising Stars Novices’ Chase, and Elite Hurdle, Nicholls has an excellent chance of adding to his considerable haul in 2025.
Boodles Rising Stars Novices’ Chase – Blueking to Rule?
Given the title, you would expect the opening Grade 2 event to boast an impressive roll of honour. The 2m4f Rising Stars Novices’ Chase doesn’t disappoint in that regard. Since its 1990 debut, the prize has gone to See More Business and Silviniaco Conti – who won a Cheltenham Gold Cup and four King George VI Chases between them. Other standout winners are Comply Or Die and Bindaree, who each went on to Aintree Grand National glory. Just the five go to post in 2025, headed by a runner from a yard that knows all about the Wincanton winning feeling.
Last successful with Knappers Hill in 2023, Nicholls saddles Blueking d’Oroux as he bids to reach a dozen wins in this event. Sporting the pink and blue hoops of Mrs Johnny de la Hay, this ex-French runner arrived at Ditcheat with a tall reputation in 2022. While yet to strike at the highest level, the son of Jeu St Eloi has largely delivered, picking up Grade 2 wins in the Coral Hurdle and Select Hurdle.
Having proved up to this grade over the smaller obstacles, can he repeat the feat over fences? Defeat on chase debut at Newton Abbot suggests there is room for improvement in the jumping department. On the plus side, that outing should have blown away the cobwebs ahead of this assignment.
BetMGM Elite Hurdle – Rubaud’s Race to Lose
Elite by name and elite by nature, this 1m7f contest has been claimed by stars such as Morley Street, Azertyuiop, Well Chief, and Zarkandar. Celestial Halo (2009, 2011) was the first dual winner, while Alan King’s Sceau Royal went one better by landing the 2016, 2020, and 2021 editions. As yet, no horse has won three consecutive renewals of the Elite Hurdle. However, if the odds compilers are to be believed, that may change in 2025. Having won 10 of the 16 editions since 2009, Paul Nicholls has outstanding claims of taking his tally to 11 this year.
Sent off at odds of 1/2 when mastering Hansard in 2023, and 11/10 when defeating Brentford Hope and Aspire Tower in 2024, Rubaud is heavily odds-on ahead of his hat-trick bid. Like Blueking d’Oroux, this seven-year-old has come up short in his outings in Grade 1 company. However, he is thoroughly proven at this level, with two wins here and one apiece in the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle and Scottish Champion Hurdle. Too good for Burdett Road on his seasonal return in the Listed CopyBet Hurdle at Kempton, he’s fully 20lb clear of these rivals and the one they all have to beat.
64th Badger Beers Handicap Chase – Threeunderthrufive to Extend Lead
Nicholls first tasted Badger Beers’ victory in 1999 with Flaked Oats, who promptly followed up in 2000. By 2011, his winning tally had increased to seven. While not able to maintain that electric pace, Nicholls’ current total of 11 puts him well clear at the top of the all-time trainers’ table. Toby Balding is a distant second with four wins.
Threeunderthrufive represents the Ditcheat team in 2025. While not as strongly fancied as Blueking d’Oroux or Rubaud, the 2023 runner-up lies behind only the prolific Art Of Diplomacy in the market. He’s 5lb higher than when second two years ago, but 1lb lower than when losing out by a nose in a hot Ascot handicap back in February. With the excellent Harry Cobden in the saddle, he will be a popular bet to go one better.
Already among the winners in November, it would take a brave punter to bet against Nicholls hitting the target at a meeting which has been so kind to him over the years. The question is, how many of these will he land?