Grand National Trial Races - Becher Chase 2012 Perhaps the most important Grand National Trial of the season is the Becher Chase at Aintree on Saturday 8th December as it gives horses the rare opportunity to gain some experience over the famous Aintree Fences. There is always a top field for the Becher Chase with plenty of Grand National hopefuls always in the line-up, it can be used as a tune up for the more experienced horses while giving the younger ones their first spin around Aintree. A good performance here will see a horses price for the Aintree Grand National itself slashed as a result, the Becher Chase is run over a trip of 3 miles 2 furlongs so punters should always look for those who are staying on through the line with the National in mind. Since the Becher Chase was first run in 1992 there have been three winners who have gone onto win the Grand National, they are Earth Summit, Amberleigh House and Silver Birch in 2004. Dessie Hughes who runs In Compliance has won the Becher Chase twice with Black Apalachi winning in 2008 and Vic Venturi in 2009; Black Apalachi in particular has come very close in the National since with an excellent second place in 2010. Becher Chase Odds 2012 (best available) Alfie Sherrin 9/1 Ballabriggs 9/1 West End Rocker 9/1 Join Together 10/1 Problema Tic 11/1 Any Currency 14/1 Planet of Sound 14/1 Swing Bill 14/1 Big Fella Thanks 16/1 Hello Bud 16/1 Mumbles Head 16/1 Saint Are 16/1 Fabalu 20/1 In Compliance 20/1 Poker De Sivola 20/1 Midnight Haze 25/1 Desperate Dex 25/1 - Captain Americo 33/1 Gullible Gordon 33/1 Dashing George 33/1 Minella Theatre 33/1 Classic Cut 50/1 Ballyvesey 66/1 Past Becher Chase Winners 2011 - West End Rocker 2010 - Hello Bud 2009 - Vic Venturi 2008 - Black Apalachi 2007 - Mr Pointment 2006 - Eurotrek 2005 - Garvivonnian 2004 - Silver Birch* 2003 - Clan Royal 2002 - Ardent Scout 2001 - Amberleigh House* 2000 - Young Kenny 1999 - Feels Like Gold 1998 - Earth Summit* 1997 - Samlee 1996 - Into the Red 1995 - Young Hustler 1994 - Into the Red 1993 - Indian Tonic 1992 - Kildimo *Grand National Winners In Bold A very open affair and one that will take some time to unravel before i have a bet. Has anyone took the plunge yet, or has a horse they favour? Other Grand National 2013 Trial Races
Nice one Gal - always found it a bit of a trappy race though as most will want to give their horses a taste of the fences without ruining their handicap mark For that reason I usually steer clear of it or look for something down the bottom that looks unexposed
Gal..........if it's in November............shouldnt we already know the winner...............LMFAO Edit. Changed.
I find it interesting that both Join Together and Problema Tic are entered, as they are both being targeted heavily at the national, and are horses that I think are being run as an experiment to see if they like the course and the fences. It is my honest opinion that both these horses could do with further than the 3m2 the Becher Chase is run over, but the ground may play into their hands and make it more of a stamina test than it already is. With the above in mind I don't think either Pipe or Nicholls will be too bothered if their horse doesn't manage to win, so long as they show a liking for the obstacles/course, and would steer clear of both those. Think Hello Bud, and Big Fella Thanks will be seeing this as their National, so they might be the ones to be on.
Had a good look at this race and have plumped for PLANET OF SOUND. Last time he ran off 152 he won the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter. Then went on to mixing it with the big boys in G1 company. His most recent runs in handicaps were a 2nd in the Hennessy off 158 and a 3rd off the same mark in the Racing Plus at Kempton. He then ran a super race off 156 in the Grand National where he ran out of steam on the turn for home after leading for most of the way. Only downside would be very soft or heavy ground. PLANET OF SOUND @ 14/1
Gal, I have just been looking at this race and the one that is most solid is the jolly, he loves the ground and won in very similar conditions last season, he surely will run a big race. My only worry is that Choc has yet to win on him. Do you think this is a negative or am I being silly?
1. Problema Tic 2. Big Fella Thanks 3. Midnight Haze You have no idea how confident I am. please log in to view this image
I agree that the fav looks to have the best shout, i wouldn't be put off by the jockey. What puts me off is the price 5/1, Boylesports as short as 7/2. I might have a bet if he was 7 or 8/1 but he's too short for me in a very very open race.
I'm starting to lean towards IN COMPLIANCE, while his age counts against him, he has the one combination he's never had in his whole career. The Aintree fences which he loves but the heavy ground to go with them. Think he'll run a big race and looks a solid 20/80 punt.
