Becher Chase 2013

Slightly different test now with the dramatic softening of the fences, but still looks a decent enough list of entries………at this stage.

Doubt we’ll get as popular a winner as Hello Bud last year, but a few old favourites in there anyway. NTD has old Baby Run entered, it would be some feat to get him back, and after Bud last year, well, you never know.

The Wylie pair, Prince De Beauchene, and On His Own are at the head of the market, but both would have to be bet with caution, as seem to be entered for multiple races these days. PDB was a wee bit disappointing at Down Royal I thought. I’ve long been of the opinion he’s slightly under-rated, and thought he would have went closer at a price. Although On His Own has failed to complete on 2 previous attempts over the fences, I tend not to look too much into previous performances over the fences, more looking at how they enjoyed the experience, and he was lobbing away nicely in The 2012 National. He seems to run over hurdles more than fences these days, and there’s just the suspicion that Mullins is very conscious of when he unleashes him back over fences. Their participation could, ultimately, depend on whether or not Aintree in April is on the agenda. If either line up a week on Saturday, they would be hard to ignore. Mullins has few other entered, and it’s a minefield trying to second guess him. If Vesper Bell, made the journey, I’d favour him over the Wylie pair.

Triolo D’Alene was a very impressive winner of The Topham, and at this stage, he’s probably a very likely runner, he’s shaped, to me anyway, as if the continued step up in trip is exactly what he’s looking for, and the obvious plan here would be to use this as a “sighter” for The National itself. Followed up his Topham win with another victory in a competitive enough affair at Huntingdon, and that, along with his perfectly acceptable comeback at Ascot, makes him of serious interest.

David Pipe has a good few entered, and I’d think Master Overseer would be considered the most likely to land this, and he’s worth a second look for sure. He’s got new inmates in Bostons Angel, and Ace High entered too, and as the season progresses, would be interesting to see what kind of improvement he can get out of them. Ace High was an eyecatching winner at Chepstow last season, and was very much one for the notebook, however injury intervened, and he looked a light of his former self. A lot more encouragement to be taken from his run at Haydock on Saturday, and if over his exertions, could run a big race. Bostons Angel, the 2011 RSA winner has somewhat lost his way, not winning since, and has thrown in some stinkers, he’s also changed owners now, but very much like Ace High, would be no surprise to see Pipe get them on a nice mark for later in the season. Definitely worth considering for targets later in the season. He’s also got Swing Bill entered in new ownership, running in the colours of Halewood International, previously having been owned by the late David Johnson. John Halewood, and David Johnson, both former Grand National winning owners, and both sadly no longer with us, have been great supporters of Aintree, and he would be a very fitting winner. Sentimentality aside, he’d actually be my main fancy anyway. Like Hello Bud, he’s getting into the veteran stages now, but landed a decent prize last year, and has showed he’s still got a bit of life in him. His running in the 2011 Becher aside, he normally runs with credit around here, and at 25’s, I actually give him a serious chance. Pipe also has my old friend/nemesis Junior entered. I’ve rated this horse (too) highly in the past, and was desperate to see him take his chance in the 2012 Gold Cup, however not be, and they took the ill-advised Aintree route. He was always likely to struggle, as he’s not the most fluent of jumpers, and was no surprise to see him get no further than the 2nd. The softening of the fences could make all the difference, and as I bet him every time he runs, I’ll have to have a pound on him

Join Together ran a screamer in this last year, and deservedly shot to the head of the antepost markets for The National, but he’s completely lost the plot since then. Would be great to see him comeback in this, but I’ll be avoiding him for the timebeing.

I bet Walkon for The 2012 Scottish National, but his stamina, I suppose expectedly, gave way. I still think he remains still relatively well treated, and not totally out of the question he can figure over a trip like this. You’d have to ignore his comeback over The Mildmay fences at Aintree, where he didn’t jump at all well, but based on his runner up spot in The Topham, he might just surprise a few.

JP has the usual multiple entries, but for once, only really like the look of one of them. Storm Survivor looked pretty promising during the summer months, and may just be the type to come to prominence in some of the big handicap chases this season. I thought of him as more of a Welsh National type, but if he lined up here, I wouldn’t be discounting him. Of the others, Wyck Hill has had his problems since being bought last year, and on recent runs, I’d have to swerve him. Though to be fair, he did beat one of my favourites, in Katenko, before injury intervened. If back to his best, then he could make me look a bit stupid The same applies to Lost Glory. I had a few quid on him for The National last season, but in all honesty he seemed to hate it. On that showing, not for me. Colbert Station ran a lot better than I expected in The Troytown yesterday, but this will surely come too soon after that effort.

One who did run a blinder in The National was Soll, finishing seventh. He was given a stange prep for Aintree, with a slog a few weeks before, and if not for feeling those exertions, could have went even closer. Remains a significant horse for The National later in the season…….if given the right build up.

Ikorodu Road is bit of a monkey, but he’s another I bet regularly. Landed a nice wee touch with him a few weeks back, making up for a string of losses for me. Was amazed they didn’t target The National for him last season, and he looks the type who’ll either love it or hate it. I tend to think he’ll enjoy it, and there will be worse outsiders…….I think.

Another who won last time out is Midnight Appeal. Battled really well to land the spoils at Bangor a fortnight ago, and if over that, I’d give him a serious chance. Also holds an entry for The Welsh National, which may, just, suit him better. Lots to like about his last run, and worth considering for those who like a price.

Both Planet Of Sound, and Across The Bay have led the field a merry dance in The National, before running out of steam over the “4 and a half miles”. Across The Bay had a spin over hurdles on his debut, and that type of prep is always worth noting. Planet of Sound would have to overcome a bit of a disappointing season in 2012-13, but potentially (the soon to be retired Imperial Commander aside), the classiest horse in the list of entries.

Gullible Gordon, and Big Fella Thanks are standing dishes round here, and although they both have very few blemishes to their names at Aintree, they seem to always find the knack of finding a couple too good. Should at least give supporters a run for their money though.

I’ve a small hunch for Mr Moonshine, from the Sue Smith stable. Ran adequately in The National, but seemed to find things happening too quickly for him. The trainer’s no stranger to a surprise winner, and with a run under his belt already this season, I’m definitely going to take a bit of the 33’s on offer. No doubt he’ll go on to start at 40’s

Other of note include the very decent Sizing Australia, Any Currency who ran his best race for a while at Cheltenham last week, Ballyoliver from the Venetia Williams Stable, and Roberto Goldback. Venetia is excellent at springing shocks in these big handicaps, and although Ballyoliver was a shade disappointing last time at Wincanton, I still think he’s got a good prize in him. Roberto is bound to be popular, but there is just the suspicion, that he didn’t enjoy the experience in The National, though it’s worth bearing in mind that he’s slipping nicely down the weights (again )

Swing Bill for me at the moment then, just ahead of Mr Moonshine

There, that’s a huge chunk of the entries mentioned, what odds something else lands it