13:30 Aintree

Saturday 7 December 2019

All11:3012:0012:3013:0013:3014:0514:4015:15

Randox Health Becher Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (National Course)

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 7m 3.10s

Alpha Des Obeaux^b,t³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: G Elliott| OR: 159

12/1

Has failed to beat a rival home in three tries at this venue and has fell both in the National and over hurdles earlier in his career here. No obvious signs he's on a decent mark either and others make more appeal.

Form: 1422-23

Ballyoptic^t¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 159| C

9/1

Has returned in fine form this season, winning the Charlie Hall prior to getting outclassed in the Betfair Chase. This is clearly easier but he's fell on both previous tries over these fences.

Form: 6PF-114

Definitly Red³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison| OR: 157| C| D

8/1

Won the Many Clouds Chase on this card last year but hasn't been in anything like the same form since and he was particularly disappointing in the Charlie Hall when last seen, a race he won in 2018. On a workable mark if back to his best.

Form: 112B-54

Le Breuil³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Mr J J Codd| T: B Pauling| OR: 150

14/1

Cheltenham Festival winner last season and seemingly well suited to extreme tests of stamina. Should be fit for this after a recent spin over hurdles and the booking of Codd is a plus.

Form: 23241-P

One For Arthur^t⁴²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 149| C| D

10/1

2017's Grand National winner from a 1lb lower mark and ran a blinder in this year's renewal of that race when sixth. Shaped as if he needed the run at Kelso on return and has to be a player back at this venue.

Form: 11/UU6-4

Vintage Clouds⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 145| C| D

12/1

Won here (Mildmay) back in 2017 and he's a talented jumper who was runner-up in the Ultima at the Festival. Didn't make it past the first in the National and paid the price for setting a strong gallop in the Scottish National; still capable though.

Form: 1P2F6-5

Vieux Lion Rouge^p,t²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 145| CD

10/1

Runner-up in this race last year and while he failed to finish in two starts prior to a 15th placed finish in the National, he got back on track with a win at Chepstow in October. On a fair mark and should be fit following a recent run over hurdles.

Form: 2PP0-19

Mulcahys Hill⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Adrian Heskin| T: W Greatrex| OR: 144

6/1

Gained a first win over fences at Cheltenham last time out when winning a novice chase. This is tougher from 7lb higher and no experience of these fences.

Form: P/624F-1

As De Mee²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 144| C| D

12/1

Won the Grand Sefton here in 2016. Will have needed the run on his belated return to action at Cheltenham last month and not ruled out from this sort of mark if he can get back to his best form.

Form: 214U0/7

Abolitionist^p²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 142| C

22/1

His latest win came at this venue over hurdles but he's been in no sort of form since and showed very little back over fences at Sandown last time out. Dropped 3lb and he would be a player on his best form.

Form: 30/15P-6

Walk In The Mill^p1²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 141| CD

8/1

Impressive winner of this race last year prior to an excellent fourth in the National. Pulled up on his reappearance at Wincanton but he's an obvious player back over these fences and only 4lb higher than last year; cheekpieces on.

Form: 31334-P

Minellacelebration⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Katy Price| OR: 139| C

25/1

Returned from a lengthy absence to win a handicap here in June and may have needed the run at Wincanton on his return. While he doesn't look overly well-handicapped, he can't be ruled out if he takes to these fences.

Form: 86/1-1U6

Wandrin Star^t⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 139

12/1

Gained a third win over fences when winning at Wincanton in October on his seasonal debut. Generally a consistent sort and gives the impression these fences could be to his liking; interesting.

Form: 61356-1

Like The Sound^t¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Harry Bannister| T: C J Mann| OR: 139

33/1

Gained a second success over fences at Taunton in March and more than likely needed the run at Market Rasen when last of nine last month. Revised mark here and makes a first start over these fences but can't be entirely ruled out.

Form: 21PU1-9

Ballydine^p,t²⁶⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: L P Aspell| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 139

25/1

Just one chase win to his name but ran well in defeat in three starts last season before making errors when pulled up at Uttoxeter when last seen. Not an easy ask on debut over these fences but can't be ruled out.

Form: 31/523P-

Mysteree^b⁴²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-5| J: Brendan Powell| T: M Scudamore| OR: 138| D

16/1

Got his head back in front for the first time since Feb 2017 at Kelso in October. Plenty of fences omitted that day and this will be an entirely different experience; needs a career best from his revised mark.

Form: 3/P092-1

Kimberlite Candy^p1²²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: R P McLernon| T: T Lacey| OR: 137

11/1

Heavy ground winner on his seasonal debut at Ayr last season. Hasn't won since and pulled up in the Irish National when last seen but probably wants very deep ground to be seen at his best. Wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 1/1935P-

Regal Flow¹⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 10-0| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: R H Buckler| OR: 127

50/1

Enjoyed a prolific end to the 2018 season with three wins but hasn't been in the same form since. Tough ask from out of the handicap here.

Form: 3P36-03

Forecasts

Mulcahys Hill (6/1), Walk In The Mill (8/1), Definitly Red (8/1), Ballyoptic (9/1), One For Arthur (10/1), Vieux Lion Rouge (10/1), Kimberlite Candy (11/1), Alpha Des Obeaux (12/1), As De Mee (12/1), Wandrin Star (12/1), Vintage Clouds (12/1), Le Breuil (14/1), Mysteree (16/1), Abolitionist (22/1), Minellacelebration (25/1), Ballydine (25/1), Like The Sound (33/1), Regal Flow (50/1)

A typically wide-open renewal of this contest but a chance is taken on 2017's National winner ONE FOR ARTHUR. He saves his best form for this venue and if he's in the same form that saw him finish sixth in this year's renewal of the aforementioned race, he could be hard to beat. Last year's winner Walk In The Mill is another obvious candidate for the shortlist while last year's runner-up Vieux Lion Rouge finds himself on a workable mark once again.