14:40 Aintree
Saturday 6 December 2025
All11:4812:2412:5813:3014:0514:4015:15
William Hill Half A Mill Becher Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (National Course)
- 6YO plus  |  Class 1  |  3m 1f 188y  |  13 Runners  |  Turf
Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Made up into a smart chaser last term, winning at Sandown on return last December, before following up with a game success in the Peter Marsh at Haydock. Completed the hat-trick in the 4¼m Midlands National when last seen in March and appeals as the type who will take to these unique fences.
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Grade 2 chase winner at Limerick last December who followed up with good runner-up efforts in Grade 3 and Listed company. Wasn't knocked about when third on return in a mares' listed contest at Clonmel, but she's on a tough-looking mark now returned to handicap company.
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Smart staying chaser who ended a 2-year losing run at Uttoxeter in February. Far from disgraced when sixth of 19 in a major Sandown handicap (28.7f, good to firm) on final run of last term, but looks vulnerable back from a 7-month break.
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Runner-up off this mark in the Ultima at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival. Largely below par last term, including when out with the washing in the Grand National, but did at least prove his wellbeing when landing a small-field veterans' handicap on return at Sandown. Cheekpieces refitted.
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Took advantage of a much-reduced mark when landing a 12-runner listed handicap chase at Punchestown (24.5f, good to soft) in May. Good start to this season when runner-up over hurdles at Newbury and, having landed the Topham over these fences in April 2023, he has to enter calculations.
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Won a listed Cross Country chase in France on latest start in September. Completed in the 2023 and 2024 runnings of the Grand National, so his ability to negotiate these obstacles is not in doubt, but he's at the veteran stage now and others make more appeal for win purposes.
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Progressive over hurdles and further steps forward over fences last winter, landing brace of handicaps at around 21f on first 2 starts. Ended that campaign on a downer, but wasn't seen to best effect in the Grand Sefton on return here last month and may yet resume his progress.
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Form dipped following an encouraging reappearance second in listed mares' event at Carlisle last term, pulled up in the Midlands National won by Mr Vango on final run of that campaign. On the upside, she has slipped to an attractive mark and completed this course when eighth in the 2024 National.
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Ended time with Patrick Neville out of sorts, but won 2 of his 3 starts for new yard last term and has started this campaign well, too, most recently putting in a good round of jumping over these fences when fourth of 17 in the 21f Grand Sefton. However, this trip will probably stretch him.
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French import who looked good when winning a small-field graduation chase at Ascot in 2023/24. Winless since, but has edged down to a workable mark and negotiated these obstacles with aplomb when third on return in the Grand Sefton. Solid each-way claims off just 1 lb higher.
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Bumper/dual-hurdles winner who made a successful start in this sphere at Stratford last season. Largely creditable efforts in defeat thereafter, including when fourth of 9 on return at Carlisle (3¼m, good to soft), but there won't be any hanging about here and his stamina will be put to the test.
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Scaled new heights last term, scoring on return at Carlisle before winning the Welsh National at Chepstow. Ran another cracker when third (subsequently promoted to second) in the Grand National Trial at Haydock, but trailed in last of 9 on return this time round back at Carlisle.
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Unseated rider on first experience over these fences in the 2024 Foxhunters', but he was third in the the Grand Sefton last November and moved up a placing when second in this season's renewal of that big handicap last month. Remains on a fair mark up 2 lb and he's a major player.
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Forecasts
Mr Vango (9/2), Galia Des Liteaux (6/1), Gaboriot (6/1), White Rhino (7/1), Bioluminescence (7/1), Westerninthepark (8/1), Bill Baxter (8/1), Excello (12/1), Monbeg Genius (12/1), Val Dancer (16/1), Twig (20/1), Mahons Glory (25/1), Roi Mage (33/1)
The Greenall/Guerriero yard saddle two strong contenders here in WHITE RHINO and Gaboriot. The latter fared much the best of them in the Grand Sefton last month, but White Rhino was always on the back foot after being hampered at the third fence and is now 4 lb lower in the weights. Mr Vango was progressive last term and is greatly respected, along with Excello and Galia des Liteaux, while Westerninthepark shaped well on return at Carlisle but a strongly-run race at this trip may stretch him.
Prize Money
1st: £84,195.002nd: £31,665.003rd: £15,825.004th: £7,905.005th: £3,975.006th: £1,980.007th: £1,020.008th: £540.009th: £300.0010th: £150.00
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