The Wasdell Group Silver Trophy, a two and a half mile handicap hurdle, was first run in 1989, and though sponsored in recent years by the Wasdell Group for most of its existence it was associated with the Tote.
One of its first winners was the best; in 1990 Bradbury Star was on his way to becoming a top class all-rounder, combining classiness, versatility and resilience. He ran 58 times, winning 18 at all distances from two to three miles. Amazingly, he won eight times at Cheltenham.
Most of the Wasdell Group Silver Trophy runners go on to thrive at longer distances and the 2007 winner was a prime example; that was Don’t Push It, who three years later gave A P McCoy his only winning ride in the Grand National.
Horses placed in the Wasdell Group Silver Trophy have also been worth following in staying chases. Fourth in 2011 was The Giant Bolster, who would finish second, third and fourth in three Cheltenham Gold Cups. Vieux Lion Rouge, third in 2014, won 13 times in all and became a real Aintree specialist. In fourth that year was Regal Encore, successful six times later including four at Ascot.
Court Minstrel was a 40/1 success for South Wales trainer Evan Williams in 2015, and he became the only dual winner of the race when scoring again two years later. The form of the latter race turned out to be excellent. Six of the first eight home won again before long.
Tea Clipper took the 2020 Wasdell Group Silver Trophy in convincing style, finishing six lengths ahead of the previous year’s winner Flash The Steel. He was placed at both of the next two years’ Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals. In October 2021 returned to Chepstow to take the valuable Robert Mottram Trophy.
The Wasdell Group Silver Trophy form continues to hold good; five of the first eight in the latest running won races within three months.
