This Saturday’s Boylesports Becher Chase at Aintree is one of the big jump racing highlights of the weekend – with the race run over the famous Grand National fences.
So, here at Bettingsites.co.uk we thought we’d look at the main runners and also give you our best 1-2-3 Becher Chase tips to take into this Aintree handicap.
2022 Becher Chase Winner Ashtown Lad Returns To Aintree
The best UK betting sites have installed last year’s Becher Chase winner Ashtown Lad as one of the Aintree favourites as this Dan Skelton runner looks to become the first ‘back-to-back’ winner since Walk In The Mill in 2018 and 2019.
12 months ago, Ashtown Lad got the job done by 2 1/4 lengths – beating this season’s Grand Sefton Chase winner Gesskille into second (watch below). He’s up just 2lbs this time and with 19 of the last 21 Becher Chase winners aged 8 or older this 9 year-old ticks this big Becher Chase trend again.
Jockey Harry Skelton continues in the saddle and with his proven experience over these tricky Grand National-style fences a further plus he’s sure to go well.
67% of the last 21 Becher Chase winners had raced over these obstacles in the past.
- Back Ashtown Lad at 5/1 with BetMGM.
Last Year’s Bronze Back For More
Another horse that has a good record over the Grand National fences is the Laura Morgan-trained Percussion.
This 8 year-old was last seen grabbing a silver in the Grand Sefton here last month and was third in this race behind Ashtown Lad 12 months ago. He’s back here off the same mark (130) and the way he stayed on last time over 2m5f on heavy ground suggests another try over this longer trip is worth a crack.
Percussion’s form over these fences reads an impressive 3-3-2, so is sure to be popular with the each-way and placepot Aintree punters.
The small negative is that with the 162-raced Coko Beach in the contest, Percussion is racing from 6lbs out of the handicap, but there is good news because of this. He’s only got 10-2 in racing weight and last year he had 10-11, so is actually racing with 9lbs less this year.
- Back Percussion at 6/1 with BetMGM.
Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies Has A Top Race Record
No trainer has won the Becher Chase more times than Nigel Twiston-Davies. He’s mopped up six successes in this Aintree race over the years, with his first coming way back in 1993 with a horse called Indian Tonic.
He also won the race in 1998 with the former Grand National winner Earth Summit, while his most recent Becher Chase winner was Hello Bud, who won the race in 2010 and 2014 with the last of those coming aged 14.
Nigel Twiston-Davies this year has his recent Cheltenham third Undersupervision entered.
Back Undersupervision at 12/1 with BetMGM.
Best Of The Rest
The David Pipe yard is another to note, with wins in 2016 and 2020 – both with Vieux Lion Rouge. They have Sidi Ismael entered.
Recent Carlisle scorer Houston Texas has to be noted too if taking to the fences, despite being 7lbs higher here. While the Nicky Henderson camp, who are yet to win the Becher Chase, could run their Grand Sefton fifth Fantastic Lady and Mister Coffey, who is still hunting his first chase win from 10 outings.
Becher Chase Tips 1-2-3
- PERCUSSION
- ASHTOWN LAD
- UNDERSUPERVISION
When Is The 2023 Becher Chase?
📅Date: Saturday 9th December 2023
🕙Time: 2:05pm
🏇Racecourse: Aintree (3m 2f)
💰 Winner: £84,195
📺 TV: ITV4 / Racing TV
2023 Becher Chase Betting Odds
See here the latest 2023 Becher Chase betting odds from BetMGM.
- Ashtown Lad 5/1
- Percussion 6/1
- Fantastic Lady 7/1
- Celebre D’Allen 10/1
- Houston Texas 10/1
- Mister Coffey 10/1
- The Big Breakaway 10/1
- Coko Beach 12/1
Note: Odds are subject to change and others on request
Past Winners (Last 10 Years)
- 2022 – ASHTOWN LAD (5/1)
- 2021 – SNOW LEOPARDESS (4/1 fav)
- 2020 – VIEUX LION ROUGE (12/1)
- 2019 – WALK IN THE MILL (8/1)
- 2018 – WALK IN THE MILL (10/1)
- 2017 – BLAKLION (7/4 fav)
- 2016 – VIEUX LION ROUGE (8/1 fav)
- 2015 – HIGHLAND LODGE (20/1)
- 2014 – OSCAR TIME (25/1)
- 2013 – CHANCE DU ROY (14/1)
WATCH: Ashtown Lad Winning The 2022 Becher Chase
