William Hill Becher Chase: four key runners and 13-2 tip

Andy Stephens gave a shortlist of five for the Grand Sefton Chase over the Grand National fences last month and the winner, Colonel Harry (advised at 16-1), and runner-up Gaboriot (9-1), were on his shortlist. He seeks to repeat the trick with the William Hill Half A Mill Becher Handicap Chase, which also takes place over the National fences at Aintree on Saturday. This copy was updated on Friday December 5.

Trainer: Dan Skelton. RaceiQ Jump Index: 7.2. Odds: 13-2 

I assumed she would not be heading here earlier in the week as she was jocked up to run at Sandown, but not here. First rule of journalism: never assume!

She's a most interesting contender, for all that she was mostly disappointing last season.

Her winless campaign has contributed to her mark slipping from 146 to 134, but her comeback run at Carlisle was not without some promise and I cannot forget how well she ran behind I Am Maximus in the Grand National in 2024, when she hit the front four out before fading in the latter stages.

Galia Des Liteaux is now 12lb lower in the ratings in a much lesser race, with Tristan Durrell, fresh from Coral Gold Cup glory last weekend, in the saddle.

The RaceiQ data tells us she jumped fifth best in the National, and hopefully the spruce fences will again light her up.

Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero. RaceiQ Jump Index: 7. Odds: 13-2 

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: Warren Greatrex. RaceiQ Jump Index: 6.6. Odds: 10-1. 

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: 9-2 

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.