Nigel Twiston-Davies believes that Aintree’s Becher Chase is a perfect race for his Grand National hope Blaklion.
The eight-year-old, who won the 2016 RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, ran a stormer in the Grand National when fourth.
He suffered interference and is currently the bookmakers’ favourite to win Aintree’s famous steeplechase.
On his seasonal bow, he was narrowly defeated by stable mate Bristol De Mai by half-a-length who went on to take the Betfair Chase by an astonishing 57 lengths, yet the handicapper dropped him 2lb for what was a very encouraging run.
He takes on the Aintree fences once again, and the Gloucestershire-trainer is confident of another big run.
“He jumped around there beautifully last year,” said the Naunton maestro.
“He was only beaten eight lengths in the National in the end, and I just didn’t think he saw the trip out to be honest.
“He’s in great form and I thought he ran superbly well at Wetherby last time.”
“He’ll prefer this trip and is on a nice mark, so this looks the perfect race for him.”
The Last Samuri, who finished second in the 2016 National, returns for Kim Bailey. He finished third when carrying top weight in this race last year, and is burdened with the same penalty once again.
One of Paul Nicholls’s main National hopes As De Mee takes his chance. Part-owned by Dame Judy Dench, he won the Grand Sefton on this card last year.
Former Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Lord Windermere takes his chance alongside The Young Master, Sizing Codelco, Highland Lodge and Westerner Point.
Elsewhere on the card, a field of four take battle for inaugural running of the Many Clouds Chase. Oliver Sherwood’s hero won the Grand National in 2016, but tragically died moments after beating Thistlecrack in the Cotswold Chase in January.
Alpha Des Obeaux, Definitly Red and Flying Angel are joined by Cloudy Dream who could prove a poignant winner of the Grade Two event
TIP: As De Mee was a very impressive winner of the Grand Sefton last year, and looked really good up at Kelso earlier in the year. He won by seven lengths and has only been raised 4lb for that performance. He’ll act on the ground and has gone well over these fences before.
Blaklion was my 50-1 antepost for last year’s National as Twiston-Davies told me ‘he was built like a National winner’, he has to be respected. The Young Master is my each-way chance. Le Breuil is worth an investment in the 12:55, Ben Pauling thinks he is a very good prospect this year!
