This weekend Sprinter Sacre was expected to make his seasonal reappearance in the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown but unfortunately has been withdrawn leaving a much more open betting event.
Another very open betting race occurs at Aintree with the running of the Becher Chase over the Grand National fences.
With the going expected to be no worse than good to soft, there are several horses in the line-up with solid claims to land the spoils.
Ante-post favourite for the race is the Willie Mullins trained On His Own who performed with real merit when a close sixth in a 2m4f hurdle race at Naas in October. Despite falling on the second circuit during the Grand National in successive seasons, it was perhaps tiredness which proved his undoing and the 3m2f of the Becher Chase may be more to his liking. William Hill offer him at 7/1 for the race.
Trainer David Bridgewater has been enthusiastic about the chances of Wyck Hill while maintaining that the horse prefers softer going. A steady rise up the ratings has not helped the 9 year old and he disappointed when only 9th of 16 at Ascot recently. He is a thorough stayer and has only ever fallen once in his career with Ladbrokes quoting him at 14/1.
Alan King is expected to be represented by Walkon who was narrowly beaten in the Topham Trophy last season. Proven over the national fences, he is also a rather unpredictable character with a mixture of decent and poor showings and is also available at 14/1 with Skybet.
The same 14/1 price is also being offered by Coral for the former Jessica Harrington trained Boston’s Angel who now resides in the David Pipe yard. This will be his racecourse debut for this season and while the horse is a dour stayer, there is just a feeling that he now lacks a turn of foot at the business end of a race. He could still run into a place.
JOIN TOGETHER was a narrow second in this race last season and is quoted at 14/1 by Totesport to scoop the winning prize this time. His moderate performance at Chepstow in October can be easily dismissed as he produced a similar display on his first appearance in the previous campaign. He appears to be a horse suited to these fences.
Across The Bay may also be worth noting after running admirably in this year’s Grand National before weakening in the closing stages. He stays and is a decent jumper with Donald McCain allowing him a spin in a Wetherby hurdle race as a prep run for this contest. Ladbrokes offer him at 20/1 although he is as low as 12/1 with other bookmakers.
Among the bottom weights, the Jonjo O’Neill trained Storm Survivor is an ultra-consistent horse capable of running into a place after proving his well-being with a close third at Chepstow in October. Paddy Power quote this sound fencer at 20/1 for his first encounter with the National obstacles.
Recommended Bets
5pts win – Join Together @ 14/1 Totesport
5pts EW – Across The Bay @ 20/1 Ladbrokes
