Aintree Becher Chase Preview

This year’s Becher Chase is headed by Blaklion for Nigel Twiston-Davies who comes here in good form. He’s arguably a Grade 1 horse and was last seen when just being out battled in the Charlie Hall by Bristol De Mai at Wetherby. I put him up as my selection that day at around 8/1 and he ran a brilliant race behind a horse that has since hacked up in the Betfair Chase. He’s much shorter than that however at around the 5/2 mark so although he stands an obviously big chance here i’m going to try and look for some value.

As ever I normally try to find a couple of decent priced selections in these big handicap chases and i’ll start off here with the first of the two ive got for this one and that comes in the form of AS DE MEE for Paul Nicholls. He’s made a nice start to life this season despite being a tad below par behind the impressive Might Bite last time out and he likes it around here. I was here in the spring and backed him when he ran a great race when finishing fifth in the Topham which came after his impressive victory in the Grand Sefton at this meeting last year. He proves he goes well around this track and also this distance following his win at Kelso a couple of months ago. He’s currently trading at a general 10/1 which is decent each way price I feel.

The second horse that i’m putting up for this is as ever an outsider of the field and this is VIC DE TOUZAINE for Venetia Williams. I actually put this horse up a few months ago when it won on its reappearance in very brave style by a nose at Carlisle. He was subsequently disappointing when being pulled up the last day in a Listed contest however he’s a tough sort who stays well and gets the distance. He’s obviously got a bit to find on the market principals but at a general 25/1 he might be worth have a little each way play on.