Becher Chase at Aintree

For the first time since the Grand National itself in early April, the National fences will be used at today´s Aintree meeting. Two races today will be run over the National course, the Becher Chase over 3 1/ miles at 15.10 and the Grand Sefton over half a mile shorter at 16.20. Both of last year´s winners Hello Bud (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies) and Frankie Figg (Paul Nicholls/ Brian Hughes) will try to defend their titles, and as course experience is big advantage here they will be well supported. We like oldtimers in these staying chases, but are still a bit dubious about Hello Bud, whose performances since that win have been very poor; he turns 14 next month and cannot be getting any better. Most of the runners in the Becher have the Grand National their target, and the one we like best is Rare Bob (Dessie Hughes/ Paddy Brennan), whose trainer has won this twice in the past 3 years. Course specialists Always Waining (Peter Bowen/ Tom O´Brien) and Pak Jack (Richard Phill ips/ Mattie Batchelor) also have each-way chances.

Frankie Figg was trained by Howard Johnson last year and is having his first run for the champion trainer, but the same jockey stays on board. He goes in the short list again, as does 2010 runner-up Nikola (N&S Twiston-Davies). Others to consider are top-weight Fine Parchment (Charlie Mann/ Richie McGrath) and Buffalo Bob (Kim Bailey/ Jason Maguire)

Maguire can also be thereabouts in Cinders and Ashes at 13.00 and Red Rocco at 14.05, both trained by Donald McCain, while we expect front-runner Nacarat (Tom George/ Brennan) to defy top weight and outclass the opposition in the listed chase at 15.45.