Nov 10,2024
Callum Pritchard had a day to remember when partnering Al Dancer to a remarkable triumph in the 63rd Badger Beer Handicap Chase at Wincanton.
The 7lb claimer set off at a scorching pace on the Sam Thomas-trained 25-1 shot and soon had the rest of the field well strung out.
While the chasing pack made notable mistakes, Al Dancer jumped superbly and kept up his relentless gallop, ultimately pulling clear again up the home straight to beat 11-4 favourite Lord Accord by 10 lengths.
The 11-year-old was obliging on his seasonal reappearance for the sixth time and took his overall win tally into double figures.
Callum Pritchard puts in the ride of his life to lead from the front and take the Badger Beer Handicap Chase on 25/1 priced Al Dancer
— Wincanton Racecourse (@wincantonraces) November 9, 2024
Callum Pritchard | @SammyTRacing @Badgerales pic.twitter.com/sVOWYdajlj
"It was unbelievable," Pritchard told ITV Racing. "I cannot believe that's just happened. I'm speechless.
"He just jumps and travels and he was never out of his comfort zone. He's a high-cruiser and he's done it nicely in the end."
Thomas added: "This is what we do it for, days like today. What a horse. He's won first time out four or five times on the trot now and he's 11. Every trainer needs a horse like this. What a performance."
