Al Dancer Achieves 25-1 Upset Victory; Trainer Nicholls Records Five Wins

The gallant grey Al Dancer commenced his season with a victory for the sixth time, triumphing at Wincanton. The 11-year-old, a 25-1 outsider, secured the Badger Beer Chase under top weight of 12 stone, guided by jockey Callum Pritchard for trainer Sam Thomas, following a bold front-running display. “Every trainer needs a horse like that and he’s just unbelievable,” stated Thomas, whose horse was left in the lead after Remastered’s fall. Al Dancer is owned by Welsh businessman Dai Walters, who survived a helicopter crash in 2022. This marked the gelding’s tenth win in 31 races, and his sixth success in eight attempts at his season’s opening race. Trainer Paul Nicholls celebrated five victories, including Swingin Safari’s win in the concluding Bumper. Earlier, Rubaud (11-10f) had triumphed in the three-runner Elite Hurdle, fending off Brentford Hope. Nicholls and jockey Harry Cobden also secured a win in the opening novices’ hurdle with Sorceleur (2-9f). The duo then partnered with Larchmont Lass (11-4f) to win the mares’ handicap hurdle, which was run in memory of Nicholls’ close friend Richard Barber. Additionally, Beau Balko (9-2) claimed the handicap chase under Ben Bromley. King Turgeon, ridden by Jack Tudor for trainer David Pipe, was victorious in the Grand Sefton Chase at Aintree, contested over the Grand National fences. Lord Melbourne, a 14-1 shot, won Doncaster’s November Handicap for trainer Ralph Beckett and rider Jack Doughty. Britain’s oldest jockey, 57-year-old Jimmy Quinn, concluded his career, which had produced over 1,500 winners, by finishing second to last among 22 competitors on Dark Moon Rising. Scottish trainer Lucinda Russell achieved her 1,000th career victory when Starlyte, ridden by Patrick Wadge, won at Kelso. Sandi Toksvig is joined by Gyles Brandreth, Lulu, Emmanuel Sonubi, and Alan Davies. Opportunities are available to sing along to Queen, Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi, Katy Perry, and other artists. Ben Fogle and Kate Humble return for the festivities at Longleat Safari Park. Topics range from microplastics in our air, soil, and waterways to the extent of food waste at this time of year. © 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.