Becher Chase at Aintree

Sandown is not the only track with decent racing today, and Aintree in particular has a good card, with the Becher Chase, a handicap over 3 1/4 miles of the Grand National course, the main feature. This is very much a race for specialists, so it is no surprise to see 2011 Grand National winner Ballabriggs (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) in the line-up, as well as the last two winners of this race Hello Bud (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies) and West End Rocker (Alan King/ Robert Thornton), as well as several horses that finished further behind in those races. They could all run well again, although we cannot fancy Ballabriggs with top weight here, but Hello Bud - now a sprightly 14yo- runs so much better here than anywhere else that he must be given serious consideration. Our main fancy here is Irish challenger In Compliance (Dessie Hughes/ Niall Madden), fifth to Ballabriggs in 2011, while of the newcomers Join Together (Paul Nicholls/ Daryl Jacob) has an obvious chance, especial ly in view of the fantastic stable form.
John Ferguson´s string is coming into form, and the Maktoum bloodstock adviser had two good chances here, with debutant Buthelezi in the opening maiden hurdle at 13.00 and Asaid in the handicap hurdle at 15.45, both partnered by Jack Quinlan. Top-weight Bear´s Affair (Nicky Henderson/ Jerry McGrath) looks the one to beat in ther latter event, but Merrydown (Nicky Richards/ Dougie Costello) also looks dangerous off a low weight. In the novice handicap hurdle at 14.35 Master of the Sea (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies) makes a quick reappearance after his easy win at Hereford on Wednesday, and if he is suffering no ill-effects from that race, could well win again under a 7 lbs penalty.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Buthelezi - Glyn Ceiriog - Oscar Magic
2. Race: Cockney Sparrow - L`Unique - Boonga Roogeta
3. Race: Quito De La Roque - Calgary Bay - Across The Bay
4. Race: Master Of The Sea - Beeves - Bathwick Brave
5. Race: West End Rocker - Join Together - Ballabriggs
6. Race: Bear`S Affair - Weekend Millionair - Merrydown
7. Race: Tranquil Sea - Chance Du Roy - Gansey