William Hill Becher Chase: five key runners and a 20-1 tip

Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero. RaceiQ Jump Index: 7. Odds: 8-1. 

The chestnut has been placed in the past two editions of the Grand Sefton, finishing runner-up last month, having been third 12 months earlier. 

That augurs well for his prospects here, not least that his five career wins have been achieved between 3m and 4m. 

He kept on well to beat all bar Colonel Harry last month, when equipped with blinkers for the first time and having a new jockey in Robbie Dunne. 

The combination of trip and slower ground (it was good last time) should show him in an even better light, and he’s only 2lb higher in the ratings at the weekend, for all that he’s 1lb “wrong” at the weights. 

Dunne has got down to 10st 2lb in the past year, and an £84,000 first prize will give him an incentive to ride at his lightest, 

Trainer: Nicky Henderson. RaceiQ Jump Index: 7.2. Odds: 20-1. 

The ten-year-old is famously still a maiden over fences after 17 races over the larger obstacles, but he’s run some cracking races in defeat and is a big price to at least make the frame again on Saturday. 

He was being lined up to return in the cross-country race at Cheltenham last month and when that was scrapped was switched to the substitute contest, a handicap for veterans over 2m 4f. 

Despite that trip being inadequate for him nowadays, he loomed up two out before being outspeeded by Eldorado Allen in the closing stages. It was a highly encouraging return and should have put him spot on for this more suitable assignment. 

Don’t forget, either, that he put up a bold display in the 2023 Grand National, jumping the last in a dispute of the lead with Corach Rambler before running out of puff on the run in. His jumping was a joy, with the RaceiQ data revealing he gained almost 20 lengths along the journey. 

Mister Coffey is 3lb lower in the ratings on Saturday and is versatile regards ground conditions. The race sponsors are among those offering 20-1 and are offering four places for each-way players. 

Trainer: David Pipe. RaceiQ Jump Index: 7.8. Odds: 14-1. 

This bold jumper was a decisive winner of the Grand Sefton last season and did not give up his crown without a fight last month, albeit he faded to be sixth. 

It looked a case of the grey needing the run on his first start since having a wind op, with 2m 5f on good ground probably being on the sharp side for him too, perhaps not surprising given his best effort last term came when defying 12st over 3m 2f at Cheltenham in mid-December. 

He's been dropped 2lb for his latest run and is only 2lb higher in the ratings than at Cheltenham. His accurate jumping is a big asset; with RaceiQ giving him scores of 8.6 and 8.7 for his past two runs at this track. He gained plenty of lengths on both occasions. 

Trainer: Warren Greatrex. RaceiQ Jump Index: 6.6. Odds: 8-1. 

The grey already has one win over the Grand National fences on his CV, having landed the Topham off a mark of 133 in 2023. 

He’s had a mixed time since then but bounced back with a bang when the 12-length winner of a 3m handicap chase at the Punchestown Festival in May. 

The handicapper has taken his revenge, but the nine-year-old looked in similar form when chasing home Haiti Coleurs in a 3m handicap hurdle at Newbury last month after a 187-day break. 

He might well have won that Pertemps qualifier, too, but for bungling the final flight. 

It will be interesting if they aim him at the final of that Series – he’s rated 10lb lower over hurdles – but for now he switches back to the bigger obstacles, clearly in good heart. 

His jumping can be a bit of a mixed bag, reflected by his RaceiQ score, but if he can get into an early rhythm then he should make his presence felt. 

Trainer: Sara Bradstock. RaceiQ Jump Index: 7.8. Odds: 11-2 

He’s one of the tallest/biggest horses in training but he’s going to need to take a deep breath to land this after almost nine months off with 12st to carry. 

The assessor has raised him 9lb for his tenacious triumph in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter in March. That 4m 2f slog played to his strengths, but came too late to help him make the cut for the Grand National. 

He looks to have all the attributes required for this race and, despite being a chunky unit, can evidently be got fit at home. The nine-year-old won on his racecourse debut, at Haydock three years ago, and had been off almost eight months before scoring on his comeback at Sandown last month. 

The rain forecast Friday night into Saturday will be in his favour, but can he defy the attention of the handicapper? His new mark of 152 probably gives him little wriggle room.