Becher Chase (Saturday)

All eyes will be on Merseyside on Saturday afternoon as 13 runners go to post for the Becher Chase. One of the highlights of the season at Aintree Racecourse, it has all the makings of an exciting and competitive renewal.

With winning connections receiving £84,195 for victory in Saturday’s race, it’s a little bit of a shock to see just 13 runners but it’s certainly a race full of quality with several unexposed types, especially when it comes to staying trips.

Here, I run through some of the leading contenders and I’ve landed on a couple of selections that can hopefully land us a profit. Gorgeous Tom ran into the places at 20/1 in the Coral Gold Cup so fingers crossed for another positive result this weekend.

Who is the betting favourite to win the 2025 Becher Chase?

Becher Chase Winner Best Odds Bookmaker
Mr Vango 5/1 Ladbrokes
Galia Des Liteaux 13/2 William Hill
Gaboriot 13/2 William Hill
White Rhino 15/2 William Hill
Westerninthepark 9/1 bet365

Odds last updated at 13:50, Thursday 4th December.

Staying Expert Heads The Betting

It’s easy to make a case for Mr Vango given his record over staying trips reads incredibly well. He has won a Devon National, a London National, a Peter Marsh Chase and a Midlands Grand National and is now running here off a mark of 152.

His success at Uttoxeter saw him receive a 9lbs hike in the weights and you’d imagine the Grand National at Aintree in April will be his main target this season. This weekend’s race gives connections the chance to try him out over the famous National fences.

He is priced at 4/1 to win the Becher but I just wonder whether this weekend’s race is more about education and learning how he acts at Aintree. For that reason, I’m inclined to look elsewhere in the betting but I could look very silly come Saturday evening.

Greenall & Guerriero Double Handed

One horse that is familiar with Aintree’s fences is Gaboriot and he is one of two runners in the race for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero. He ran a huge race behind Colonel Harry in the Grand Sefton on his seasonal debut and was put up just 1lb ahead of this.

That could turn out to be lenient, and I think November’s race could work out very well – more on that front later. He has been placed in each of the last two renewals of the Grand Sefton and he clearly goes well at this particular track.

However, I prefer WHITE RHINO and he can give Greenall & Guerriero a much-needed winner after a rough couple of weeks. Currently operating at a 6% strike rate, he shaped as if he needed the run when finishing down the field in the Grand Sefton.

All the talk in the build-up to that race was about White Rhino and he was a big drifter on the day, most probably because he was unfit. He’ll be primed to go better this weekend and the step up in trip will suit – I think he’s got a cracking chance all being well.

Galia To Give Skeltons Another Big Saturday Winner?

One of my cliff horses for some time, I’m jumping ship from Galia Des Liteaux but it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise if she gives Dan Skelton another feature winner on a Saturday afternoon. She should be primed after blowing the cobwebs away at Carlisle.

The Skelton yard are flying right now and he is training horses to perfection, peaking on the big days and claiming lucrative pots on a weekly basis. While Harry Skelton is down at Sandown for the Tingle Creek card, Tristan Durrell is a competent deputy.

He gave Panic Attack a brilliant ride to win the Coral Gold Cup last weekend and his 3lbs claim is excellent value. Operating at a 16% strike rate over the last two weeks, Durrell could be set for another big moment on the big stage.

Chancing Stamina For Henderson Hope

I’ve always had a soft spot for EXCELLO and I’m expecting him to run a big race over the Aintree fences this weekend. He certainly seemed to take to them in the Grand Sefton, where he ended up plugging on at the one pace late in the day.

He finished down the field in the Topham Handicap Chase in April but returned with an established round of jumping to finish third last month. It looks like he likes Aintree and I believe a flat track like this suits his skillset.

Yet to win the Becher Chase in his training career, it’d be some feat for Nicky Henderson to finally land the race and I’m taking a chance on Excello being the horse to do that. If he stays the extended trip, he’s got the talent to go close.

Becher Chase Betting Tips

• White Rhino – 1pt Each Way (top 4) at 15/2 with William Hill when publishing. 

• Excello – 0.5pts Each Way (top 4) at 12/1 with Sky Bet & Paddy Power when publishing.