THE JOCKEY CLUB WEST COUNTRY WEEKEND
Mark and his team have been stalwart supporters of the race, and even won the racecourse’s showpiece themselves – Present Man and Bryony Frost stole the headlines when they became back-to-back winners in 2018 and 2019. Last year’s renewal was won in fine style by the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Rocco under Jordan Nailor, who held off Alan King’s Potterman. Racing up with the pace throughout the three miles, Rocco defied his 40-1 price tag, proving two-and-a-quarter lengths too strong for Potterman. “I had a nice winner over hurdles last season, but to come back early in the season and have another big winner means a lot,” says Nailor. “I’ve ridden in the race a few times and the thing I’ve learnt is that you have to go quick early to get a nice position, otherwise you get shuffled back. But he got the position we wanted and he jumped fantastically, which really helped. “He had a light enough weight on his back – 10st 7lb – and the ground was good, which is what he wants. It’s a good jumping test around here and he jumps brilliantly, so everything panned out really well. “The Grade Three was my first big winner so that meant a lot, but this is a race I’ve ridden in a few times and I thought, ‘I’d love to win that.’ And I’ve won it now, so there are no complaints.”
Martin Pipe to his son David, with 12-time Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls nestled in Ditcheat, with Wincanton “just down the road”. It has been a breeding ground of success for a number of years. With Exeter and Wincanton as local tracks, Paul Nicholls is the leading trainer of both the Haldon Gold Cup and the Badger Chase. With seven wins in the Exeter showpiece and ten wins in the Badger Beers Silver Trophy, it is almost certain he will be challenging for the feature races once again. As well as the West Country Weekend, Wincanton has an extra reason to celebrate, as local brewer, Hall & Woodhouse, has pledged to support the historic Badger Beers Chase at Wincanton Racecourse for the next three years, continuing its title as the longest-running sponsor in horseracing. The leading independent Dorset brewer has sponsored the feature race at Wincanton for more than 60 years since it began in the 1960s. Mark Woodhouse, Family Director at Hall & Woodhouse, explains that his family’s interest in horses is one that goes back generations. “We’ve always loved horses in the brewing industry, because we relied on horses to get our beer to the pubs and other trading outlets,” he says. “This historic event has been part of the family for more than 60 years, so it is only fitting that we continue to support the race due to our own vast heritage across the south.”
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