There is plenty of previous experience over the Grand National fences on show in the Becher Chase on Saturday at Aintree, including Blaklion (1.30), Vieux Lion Rouge and Lord Windermere, who were fourth, sixth and seventh in last season’s National, as well as The Last Samuri, who finished 16th last time around but was a close second in 2016.
The outstanding piece of form, though, is Blaklion’s close second behind his stable companion Bristol De Mai in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, with Vieux Lion Rouge, last year’s winner of the Becher Chase off a 10lb lower mark, well behind.
Bristol De Mai ran away with the Betfair Chase next time up and although 5-2 may not look much of a price in a 16-runner race over these obstacles, it may still underestimate Blaklion’s chance.
Sandown 1.45 Five top-notch chasing prospects line up for the first Grade One novice of the British season, with Finian’s Oscar an unexpected addition to the field. Brain Power was the highest-rated of these over hurdles, though, and stopped the clock in a useful time for a four-runner race on his fencing debut at Kempton.
Aintree 2.05 Grey Waters has adapted well to hurdling and is an interesting traveller from Ireland for Joseph O’Brien but the dual Listed winner Malaya will be a tough nut to crack.
Sandown 2.20 It is very difficult to rule out any of the 12 runners here but Alan King has a strong hand with Fidux and William H Bonney, who returned from a six-month break to finish fifth in the Greatwood at Cheltenham, where he travelled like the winner for much of the way.
Aintree 2.35 Cloudy Dream, in the Trevor Hemmings colours, would be an appropriate winner of a race renamed in honour of the owner’s Many Clouds, who collapsed and died after winning the Cotswold Chase last season. His stamina for this trip is highly questionable though, and recent Grade Two winner Alpha Des Obeaux (2.35) makes more appeal at the prices.
Sandown 2.55 Fox Norton is a solid odds-on chance in the absence of Douvan but offers little value at his current price and Ar Mad is offered as an each-way alternative at around 16-1. He saves his best for this track and trip, and has been lightly raced since winning the Grade One novice on this card two years ago, when he beat Bristol De Mai by 10 lengths.
Aintree 3.10 Gas Line Boy finished fifth in the Grand National in April but is fully exposed at the age of 11 and may be vulnerable to a younger horse. Mercian Prince, who will come for his reappearance at Sandown, fits the bill.
Sandown 3.30 Houblon Des Obeaux showed last time that he retains much of his old ability and is preferred to the likely favourite Sugar Baron, whose jumping is a worry.
Tips for Saturday’s races
Aintree 11.55 Mont Des Avaloirs 12.25 Swift Crusador 12.55 Black Ivory 1.30 Blaklion (nap) 2.05 Malaya 2.35 Alpha Des Obeaux 3.10 Mercian Prince
Chepstow 12.30 Rhaegar 1.00 Chooseyourweapon 1.35 Ice Cool Champs 2.10 Souriyan 2.45 Binge Drinker 3.20 Lord Bryan 3.50 Mzuzu
Sandown 12.05 Just A Sting 12.40 All My Love 1.10 Monbeg Oscar (nb) 1.45 Brain Power 2.20 William H Bonney 2.55 Ar Mad 3.30 Houblon Des Obeaux
Wetherby 11.45 Game On 12.15 Ami Desbois 12.45 On A Promise 1.20 Sir Will 1.55 Sakhee’s City 2.25 Ifandbutwhynot 3.00 Perfect Myth
Wolverhampton 5.45 Rapid Ranger 6.15 Maraakib 6.45 Alpine Peak 7.15 Antonian 7.45 Corinthia Knight 8.15 Watersmeet 8.45 Miss Dusky Diva 9.15 Ebqaa
