The 2025 Becher (Handicap) Chase

[Ian_Davies]

I'm really looking forward to this, 35 still in it, and the five-day confirmations are on Monday.

Obviously the Grand Sefton form over shorter will have a bearing on this.

Ante-Post Betting: https://www.oddschecker.com/horse-racing/ante-post-racing/national-hunt/becher-handicap-chase/winner

 

[Ian_Davies]

19 confirmed entries.

 

[Robicheaux]

Roi Mage appeals at 33s ew. Well handicapped on his first National effort.
Veteren stage now which is reflected in his price.

 

[Barnestormer]

The Greenall team have Gaboriot at 8/1 and White Rhino at 10/1 but the stable is out of form.
Only 2 winners in their last 50 runners.

 

[Ian_Davies]

Weather forecast isn't great and it's on the Soft side already.

It might be a Grand Sefton also ran who will be suited by the longer trip for me.

I'll look more closely later, but I'm trying to swerve these races ante-post unless I'm super sure I'm on a runner.

 

[Euronymous]

I'll look more closely later, but I'm trying to swerve these races ante-post unless I'm super sure I'm on a runner.

Agree with that. On first look Bioluminescence would tempt me. This trip on deep ground would be ideal and some of her form from last year reads really well but yeah, Gav's not in form and does he bring her over.

 

[chaumi]

Mr Coffee appeals at 16-1, amongst an uninspiring set of odds in general. Ran a great race until tiring in the 2023 National and showed recently that the spark is still there. Has run several races that would put him close to half a dozen lengths up on plenty of this field.

 

[luckyme]

I 'll come back when ya have put up the tricast Thanks

 

[Truncheon]

There's only Van way to Go Mr

 

[Danny]

The most interesting entry for me is the one who isn't there and that's Colonel Harry who will be getting added to my December gold cupolio (waiting for official conformation of the correct abbreviation for that).

 

[Ian_Davies]

December gold cupolio (waiting for official conformation of the correct abbreviation for that).

Decfolio, ffs - thank you for your inquiry.

 

[Outsider]

Galia des liteaux . Skeltons. Ran well in the 2024 national and is now a lot lower in the hcap.
also Mr Coffey who has never won a chase yet.

 

[Danny]

Just watch Galia mate double declared in the London nash over at Sandown.

 

[Ian_Davies]

YFUSA can't have a bet yet, because the one YFUSA likes most is also engaged at Sandown Park the same day.

But, if YFUSA knew the beast was going to Aintree, YFUSA would want to be with Excello at 14/1.

 

[Outsider]

Roi Mage appeals at 33s ew. Well handicapped on his first National effort.
Veteren stage now which is reflected in his price.

John Ingles on sporting life has done an article on Roi Mage.

 

[Ian_Davies]

13 declared.

Betting: https://www.oddschecker.com/horse-racing/2025-12-06-aintree/14:40/winner

 

[Euronymous]

Gav declares his mare. Surprised and very pleased. It's pissing down in the North West as well right now.

 

[Ian_Davies]

YFUSA can't have a bet yet, because the one YFUSA likes most is also engaged at Sandown Park the same day.

But, if YFUSA knew the beast was going to Aintree, YFUSA would want to be with Excello at 14/1.

YFUSA won't be getting 14/1 Excello now.

 

[Ian_Davies]

I'd say 33/1 Twig is "the wrong price."

 

[Euronymous]

Galia des liteaux . Skeltons.

Horrible price. Should be 16/1

 

[Finallyausernameononehas]

Galia des liteaux . Skeltons. Ran well in the 2024 national and is now a lot lower in the hcap.
also Mr Coffey who has never won a chase yet.

I have him backed at 20/1 after a quick look, I've backed him the last time he ran, he's due a win , into 7/1 when i last seen but I'm not too confident I think

 

[Ian_Davies]

Galia Des Liteaux is a mare. #justsaying

 

[Finallyausernameononehas]

No worries , thanks

 

[Finallyausernameononehas]

Galia Des Liteaux is a mare. #justsaying

She's bet boosted now , not much point in backing at 6/1 now ?

 

[Ian_Davies]

I'd say 33/1 Twig is "the wrong price."

So the first time I ever set eyes on Twig was at Barbury Point in December 2021, where he ran alright in a massive field (17) and was runner up, albeit beaten 17 lengths, to Looksnowtlikebrian.

But the next time I saw Twig (in February 2022 at Badbury Rings) he showed me what he can do.

Seemingly relishing the customary resilient Badbury Rings surface, he bolted in by 19 lengths from Molineaux, with the smart Virak a further eight lengths back in third (there's a clip of it on my Twitter/X):

https://twitter.com/x/status/1495387739331739654

It was no surprise to me when Twig became successful under rules, but tbh I'd always had him down as a horse who didn't want too much cut UNTIL he was runner up on Heavy in the Ultima at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival.

Twig won narrowly the other day, is only up a pound for that and, while hardly thrown in and now rising 11, he's fit and in good nick and I'd have him about half the odds he is.