held up, blundered 1st, ridden, weakened 4 out
mid-division, hit 1st, ridden, headway after 4 out, left 4th 3 out, weakening when blundered last
chased leader, led 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, headed last, no chance with winner
jumped left, led to 7th, lost place 13th, weakened 16th, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, ridden, effort after 4 out, left 3rd 3 out, kept on same pace from last
prominent, chased leader 11th, ridden 4 out, 3rd when fell 3 out
held up, smooth headway from 15th, joined leader 3 out, led last, shaken up, quickened clear flat, very easily
The Badger Ales Trophy has attracted a good line-up in which Ardaghey is selected ahead of Tom Sayers and Abragante. Alderburn ended last season on a high and is classy but has been raised 12 pounds since he last ran. Ardaghey bounced back to form with a good Cheltenham win last time and remains competitive from a six-pounds higher rating. Irish Wolf rates as a very interesting novice that, despite being raised for his latest win, remains competitive based on his best hurdling efforts. Tom Sayers comes here on the back of a good course win and is very much respected, while Bowleaze is weighted to beat him based on that win so has to be given a chance too. Dunbrody Millar is not far above a winning mark and Turthen looked set to score in the Topham when last seen - Dunbrody Millar won there - so could be well handicapped, and Abragante certainly is well-weighted based on his best hurdling form. It all adds up to a very good contest with Ardaghey selected.
Alderburn 7-2fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, steady progress from 9th, led 4 out, in command, idled flat, ridden out, won at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar beating Alexanderthegreat (10-7) by 3l, 17 ran.
Ardaghey (IRE) 10-3 (11-2) Held up in rear, hit 12th, headway 4 out, led last, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs (2) gd in Oct beating Always Waining (11-9) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Irish Wolf (FR) 5-2 (11-6) Chased leader until 4th and again 3 out, led soon after 2 out, soon clear and ran on, won at Fakenham 2m 5f nov chs (3) gd in Oct beating Etoile Russe (11-6) by 13l, 4 ran.
Tom Sayers (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Chased leader, led 6th, ridden after 4 out, kept on gamely from 2 out, won at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Oct beating Bowleaze (11-3) by 2l, 11 ran.
Dunbrody Millar (IRE) 11-2 (10-6) Led, clear until 8th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 8th of 9, well behind That's Rhythm (11-3) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Turthen (FR) 14-1 (10-1) Towards rear, headway and in touch 10th (Becher's), blundered and unseated rider at the 13th in race won by Dunbrody Millar (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd in Apr, 29 ran.
Bowleaze (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway and chased leaders 18th, going well and every chance 4 out, ridden 3 out, no extra from last, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Tom Sayers (11-7) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
Abragante (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on to lead close home, won at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gd in May beating Chilling Place (11-0) by a nk, 19 ran.
High Chimes (IRE) 15-8jt-fav (11-4) Tracked leader, hit 10th, led next, left clear 3 out, stumbled last, won at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) hvy in Mar beating Ballyjohnboy Lord (11-4) by a distance, 4 ran.
