Chance Du Roy Heads Becher Chase Betting

Chance Du Roy is the 10/1 favourite to become the first back-to-back winner of Aintree`s Becher Chase tomorrow (6th December, 13:30) since the race`s reformation in 1992. It will be Phillip Hobbs` horse`s first appearance on the racetrack since finishing sixth in the Grand National back in April, form that should stand the reigning champion in good stead over the requisite three and a quarter miles of this weekend`s challenge.

Having said this, there are 14 others contained in the 25-strong field who have taken a spin around the National fences in one form or another, with six having also completed the four mile, three furlong extravaganza.

Of these runners, Oscar Time looks a massive price at 33/1, having twice been placed in the legendary spectacle. The Waley-Cohen project completed the distance in second place in 2011 before recording a fourth place finish last year.

Perhaps his price reflects his age. Now 13-years-old, it would be considered quite a feat for Oscar Time to come out on top in the Becher Chase but then it has been done before. Nigel Twiston-Davies` Hello Bud regained the title he won back in 2010 in 2012 at the grand old age of 14.

In addition, Oscar Time and his long-time accomplice Sam Waley-Cohen completed a double towards the tail end of last season by justifying odds-on favouritism in Uttoxeter and Wetherby chases. Whilst these were class six races, there is still life in this old horse.

Mr Moonshine was third in last year`s Becher for former winning trainer Sue Smith. Twenty to one with most bookmakers, the horse also finished nine places behind Chance Du Roy in the Grand National and will have to improve dramatically to reverse the form on the favourite.

In his favour, however, is the fact that Daragh Bourke claims five after replacing the retired ex-Grand National winning jockey Ryan Mania.

Two-time Aintree winner Saint Are is a 14/1 (Coral) chance after snatching a place in a class one handicap chase at Cheltenham in his last ride out in the hands of new trainer Tom George. Of the remaining ex-National fancies, Across The Bay was unlucky after being diverted by a loose horse in last year`s renewal of the big race, eventually finishing 14th for the second time in successive years. betway are offering 28/1 on Donald McCain`s charge. Neither Kruzhlinin nor The Package had any such excuses when finishing tenth and twelfth and can be backed at 40/1 (Betvictor, Coral, ladbrokes, Skybet) and 25/1 (bet365, betfred, paddy Power, Totesport) respectively.

Balbriggan is the 11/1 (32red, 888sport, unibet) second-favourite for the chase despite having no Aintree experience. Gordon Elliott`s hat-trick seeker is a dab-hand over three miles and a distance winner at Cartmel in August and should take to the expected soft ground.

He was last seen justifying favouritism over four miles at Navan in Ireland, beating Peter Fahey`s Owega Star by over a length and a half.

Former co-favourites for the 2014 Scottish Grand National, Green Flag and Mendip express should be worth a moment of your time at 12/1 (Numerous). Al Co, the eventual winner of that race at 40/1, is a 55/2 (Betbright) shot for tomorrow carrying top weight.

Lucinda Russell`s Green Flag could only finish sixth at Ayr and will have his trainer performing a rain dance overnight with the mudlark`s chances improving with each drop of rain. The very lightly raced Mendip Express is looking to bag a double after opening his seasonal account with a hurdles win over three miles at Warwick. Harry Fry`s sole entrant was pulled up in the Ayr feature race.

Others to consider include Benbens, a 20/1 (ladbrokes) shot for most successful ever trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies, Nick Williams` 25/1 (betfred, Betvictor, sportingbet, Totesport) chance Alfie Spinner and former Irish National treasure Lion Na Bearnai (50/1 - Betvictor, Coral).

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05/12/2014     © Frixo 2024