(3 minutes read)
This Saturday sees one of the biggest meetings at Aintree outside the Grand National. The Boylesports Becher Chase over 3 miles and 2 furlongs, falls short of the marathon distance required for the big one in April.
However, it is an ideal prep race for those trainers looking to discover if their talented stayers can cope with the unique fences. Having said that, some argue that the fences no longer pose the same challenges compared to before 2024 due to the amended heights of the obstacles for safety concerns.
Nevertheless, this race offers a useful insight to how a horse copes with the course in general. We check out best bets for this key race and the other ITV 4 televised race for the Aintree meeting. Best odds provided by our partners including race-day sponsors Boylesports.
Race sponsors Boylesports will be offering 4 places on each way bets for The Boylesports Becher Handicap Chase, providing the number of runners stays at twelve or more.
The Boylesports Becher Handicap Chase 14.07 Aintree
Gaboriet
Gaboriet comes into this after an impressive third in the recent BoyleSports Grand Sefton Handicap Chase held last month. He pegged on gamely behind eventual winner King Turgeon.
He is sure to improve and holds a 3 lb weight advantage over King Turgeon. Best odds 5/1 with Betfred.
King Turgeon
This David Pipe trained eight-year-old garners a lot of respect by coming into this with a rich vein of form which includes a win at Chepstow and here at Aintree in the Boylesports Grand Sefton.
Any horse who stays over the Chepstow ground deservedly gains respect and he remains weighted on a winnable mark. Best odds 9/2 with William Hill.
Best of the each way bets
Plenty of each way claims in this gruelling test. Last year’s winner Chambard trained by Venetia Williams holds excellent each way value at 20/1 with race sponsors Boylesports. Should appreciate any cut in the ground.
Arizona Cardinal is another previous Aintree winner who holds appeal at odds of 14/1 with Bet365 and Boylesports. He will have no issues with stepping up in distance.
Verdict
Tricky puzzle to solve in this quality laden field. It seems wise to plump for proven Aintree form in this kind of contest. King Turgeon will probably go off race favourite and considering the lack of penalty from his previous Aintree form and solid staying claims, he looks to be the best bet at 9/2 with William Hill.
BoyleSports Home Of The Early Payout Handicap Chase 1332 Aintree
This competitive looking handicap chase should be a cracking betting heat to warm up the appetite for the big one.
Springwell Bay
The top weight trained by Jonjo O’Neill leads the market and although his last run at Cheltenham can be ignored as he pulled hard during most of the race, his record at Aintree does comes into question.
However, he was impressive in a listed novice contest at Chepstow earlier in the season. Although the horse was a brilliant novice, better value to be had elsewhere. 11/4 best with Bet365.
Richmond Lake
Won this renewal last year and certainly cannot be discounted whilst he is carrying the same weight and racing in similar ground conditions. The eight-year-old should also come on for his excellent fourth in the Boylesports Grand Sefton over course and distance last month. Best odds 4/1 with Bet365.
Beachcomber
This second string Jonjo O’Neill entry certainly caught the eye at a recent Exeter handicap where despite making a crucial error midway through race, he was able to fight himself back into a challenging position.
These are the sort of qualities you look for in a tough handicap like this. Great each way claims at 8/1 with Bet365.
Verdict
Springwell Bay without doubt represents the class act in the race but does not hold much appeal at 11/4 in this type of tight contest. Richmond Lake will be there or thereabouts, however, the recent form of tough stayer Beachcomber is enticing, as long as his jumping holds.
Recap
The Boylesports Becher Handicap Chase 14.07 Aintree
King Turgeon WIN 9/2 with William Hill
BoyleSports Home Of The Early Payout Handicap Chase 1332 Aintree
Beachcomber EACH WAY 8/1 with Bet365.
Please note all odds are correct at the time of publishing (3pm Friday 6th December 2024) and are subject to change.
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