Just the ticket in Becher
TODAY’S Becher Chase at Aintree is one of the highlights of the jumps campaign and in recent years it’s become a race for the usual suspects.
The stats are strong as can be seen by:
■ Last eight winners have previously run over the National fences.
■ Carry 10st 12lb or less. ■ No more than one start during the season.
The depth behind the trends quickly gets us through plenty of the 18-runner field, leaving a shortlist of only Vieux Lion Rouge, Just A Par, Highland Lodge and Federici.
Vieux Lion Rouge has had a wind operation but past efforts over these fences may have left a mark.
Federici has done nothing wrong in his runs here other than looking too one-paced.
Highland Lodge has been a great servant but his stablemate from the Jimmy Moffatt yard, JUST A PAR, is worth 2pts each-way at 50-1 with Betfair and Paddy Power.
He had some class when with Paul Nicholls and enjoyed his run in last year’s National.