The Becher Chase at Aintree on Saturday has attracted a large field for the first big event over the famous Grand National fences this season.
The going is soft so the three and a quarter miles will provide a thorough test of stamina. The conditions were similar a year ago when Chance Du Roy held off the veteran Baby Run by a length. The Philip Hobbs stable is in fantastic form at present and Chance Du Roy must have an excellent chance of repeating his victory.
The ten-year-old was never travelling before being pulled up at Haydock in January but a return visit to Aintree was always his aim. He finished fourth at Ascot to Restless Harry in February and then ran a tremendous race in the Grand National, making headway towards the leaders before fading into sixth place behind Pineau De Re.
He also finished runner-up here to Always Waining in the Topham in 2012 so Tom O’Brien will be hoping for another good spin from the son of Morespeed this weekend. He is set to race off a 6lbs higher mark than last year but course form counts for at least that much over these fences.
Goonyella travelled over from Ireland for the Welsh National last December but finished a moderate eighth. He also finished seventh in the Irish National and Jim Dreaper is hoping that he takes to these fences with a view to returning in April. He stays all day but may struggle to go the early pace in such a huge field.
Gordon Elliott’s Balbriggan won over hurdles at Sedgefield before winning the valuable Troytown Chase at Navan last month. The grey has been raised 10lbs for that victory and may just be lacking a little experience for a tough race like this.
Mendip Express should go well for Harry Fry after winning a novices’ hurdle easily on his seasonal reappearance. He looked a very promising staying chaser last season before being soundly beaten by Smad Place at Newbury. He then jumped poorly before being pulled up in the Scottish National and has been dropped 3lbs in the handicap.
The Package has been round here a few times for David Pipe but put up a laboured performance at Cheltenham last time. Stable companion Our Father was favourite for the Hennessy Gold Cup last year but made no progress from four out and finished a disappointing seventh. He unseated his rider at the Canal Turn in the National so has plenty to prove.
One who did run to form in last year’s Hennessy was Emma Lavelle’s Highland Lodge. He made a gallant attempt to make most of the running and plugged on into fourth place. The form was given a boost last week by Merry King and Houblon Des Obeaux (fifth and sixth) who finished third and second respectively in this year’s renewal. Highland Lodge raced off 136 that day and is now 4lbs lower. He ran an encouraging race to finish fifth at Chepstow in October and could go well under Andrew Thornton.
Chance Du Roy @10-1 Ladbrokes
Highland Lodge @16-1 Paddy Power
Each-way ¼ odds, 1,2,3,4
