Race days return to Aintree Racecourse this weekend in a pre-Christmas treat for fans.
The Becher Chase is a steeplechase over Grand National fences and the handicap race, open to horses six years old and over, takes place each December.
The race pans over a distance of just three miles and two furlongs and no runner has ever won the Grand National in the same racing season as the Becher Chase.
The closest gap was between 2001 and 2004 when Amberleigh House won the Becher Chase first and later won the Grand National.
Where have the winning runners come from?
GB: 17 winners with 46 placings from 277 runners
IRE: 3 winners with 7 places from 63 runners
FR: 0 winners with 0 places from 7 runners
King Turgeon – A strong selection
David Pipe comes into this weekend’s races as the leading trainer in the Becher Chase over the previous 20 renewals, winning the race two times with Vieux Lion Rouge in 2016 and 2020.
He has a very unique record of training the horse that has jumped the National fences more than any other horse ever.
Hoping to follow in the hoof prints of Vieux Lion Rouge, King Turgeon will hope to run in the Grand National but will need to perform well in this handicap chase, hoping to make history in becoming the youngest winner in the race’s history.
Pipe said: “King Turgeon was pretty good in the Grand Sefton and he’s always been a very good jumper. He was electric when schooling over the National-style fences before his Grand Sefton win and the fences looked to suit him last time.”
To race in the Grand National, a horse will need to be rated 145 to 150 and King Turgeon currently sits at 133 so will need to climb up that handicap and has a very good chance to do so here.
For a six-year-old he showed real class winning the Grand Sefton, stepping down from three miles and two furlongs to two miles and five furlongs at Chepstow. An excellent jumper, he maintains that bit of speed and stays well over three mile.
Winning the Becher Chase and winning the National Trial could put King Turgeon in the picture for Grand National.
Other Contenders for the Becher Chase
With 17 runners confirmed in the final selection for the handicap race, the favourite, King Turgeon will face stiff competition.
Last year’s winner, Chambard, trained by Venetia Williams also features in this race.
There could be between 35-40mm of rain before Saturday’s races meaning the ground could be much softer than the going at Aintree on Monday night.
The front five in the ante post consists of: King Turgeon, Gaboriot, Chianti Classico, Cruz Control & Iron Bridge.
Gaboriot will provide close competition for the favourite after coming close in the Grand Sefton. With Saturday’s trip being longer – it comes as a benefit to Gaboriot.
The other three with lots to prove at Aintree. Cruz Control, with stamina to prove on testing ground, and Iron Bridge will probably need further than 3m2f.
There is a wildcard shout for Arizona Cardinal who jumped well winning at Topham, if he can hold for 3m2f he could be a contender.
With an amber met office warning for the weather over the weekend, racing fans will be hoping the annual Becher Chase will go ahead with its stacked race-card.
