2023 Becher Chase Tips - Odds, trends and two selections for Aintree

Jon Vine

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Last updated: 08 Dec 2023

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Jon Vine 08 Dec 2023

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Free guide to the 2023 Becher Chase
This handicap chase takes place on the Grand National course at Aintree on Saturday 3rd December
Ashtown Lad and Now Where Or When are our two against the field

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Aintree racecourse. (Getty)

A classy card at Aintree on Saturday is headlined by the Becher Handicap Chase. This three-and-a-quarter-mile chase is run on the fearsome Grand National course, and horses like Amberleigh House and Silver Birch have gone on to win the Grand National following their success in the Becher.

Here's the latest betting for Saturday's Becher, some key recurring trends and our best two betting tips.

2023 Becher Chase Odds

Name	Odds
Ashtown Lad	5/1
Percussion	6/1
Fantastic Lady	8/1
Mister Coffey	10/1
The Big Breakaway	10/1
Bar	12/1

2023 Becher Chase Trends

15 of the last 16 winners were eight years old or older
15 of the last 16 winners had won or placed in a Graded or Listed chase
14 of the last 16 winners had won at least twice over fences before
14 of the last 16 winners didn't win on their previous start
13 of the last 16 winners had won a chase over at least 3m
13 of the last 16 winners were either having their second or third start of the season
12 of the last 16 winners carried 10-12 or less
12 of the last 16 winners went off at 12/1 or shorter
11 of the last 16 winners had previous experience jumping the Grand National fences

Coko Beach's inclusion in Saturday's Becher Chase comes as a huge surprise. Following his victory in the Troytown, Gordon Elliott said the Paddy Power Handicap Chase - run at Leopardstown over Christmas - might "come a little too soon". Yet, less than three weeks after that grueling triumph at Navan, Coko Beach makes the trip to Aintree.

The top-weight's lofty rating of 162 leaves several contenders running from outside of the handicap. Percussion, Lounge Lizard and Dorking Cock will carry around half a stone more than they should be. Coko Beach's participation also leaves most of the other leading contenders shouldering surprisingly low weights.

2023 Becher Handicap Chase Tip 1 - Ashtown Lad

Off just a two-pound higher mark than last year, ASHTOWN LAD (5/1) has to have a fantastic chance of defending his Becher Chase crown.

Dan Skelton's star jumped beautifully en route to winning this race 12 months ago. Ashtown Lad then ran twice over hurdles before heading back to Aintree for the Topham Chase in the spring, where Harry Skelton endured a troubled start to that contest and pulled his mount up well before the end.

Ashtown Lad was pulled up again on his reappearance in the Badger Beers Trophy, which came when Skelton's runners seemed badly in need of their first starts of the season. The form of last year's Becher was boosted significantly in the Grand Sefton, where runner-up Gesskille beat third-placed Percussion. With that in mind, Ashtown Lad looks well-treated off 140 and, thanks to Coko Beach, he'll carry just almost a stone less on his back than last year.

2023 Becher Handicap Chase Tip 2 - Now Where Or When

Irish-trainer Stuart Crawford will have two runners in Saturday's Becher. Dorking Cock warmed up for Aintree with a victory over hurdles last month, but struggled around the Grand National course in the Foxhunters back in April and hasn't won over fences under rules since his days with Tom Lacey back in 2020.

NOW WHERE OR WHEN (14/1) had been due to run in last year's Becher, but was withdrawn the day before the contest. Crawford's charge ended the season with a pulled-up effort in the Irish Grand National and was beaten 71 lengths on his reappearance behind Captain Guinness in the Grade Two Fortria Chase at Navan.

Before he ran in the Irish National, Now Where Or When ran a screamer in the Grade Three Bobbyjo Chase. Multiple Grade One winner, Kemboy rolled back the years to claim victory, but Crawford's eight-year-old was only beaten a length-and-a-half, losing out for second to the charging Vanillier, who went on to finish second in the Grand National at Aintree.

That third in the Bobbyjo is the best piece of recent form on offer here. Now Where Or When is a dependable jumper, remains fairly unexposed over staying distances and he must have schooled over National-style fences in both of the last two seasons.

With JJ Slevin riding Dorking Cock for some reason, Liam Harrison has been called up to ride Now Where Or When, who'll be much more effective over this extended trip.

Verdict

2023 Becher Chase

Ashtown Lad and Now Where Or When are our two against the field for the 2023 Becher Chase.

Ashtown Lad

2023 Becher Chase Tip 1

@5/1 - 10 Units

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In free bets

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Now Where Or When E/W

2023 Becher Chase Tip 2

@14/1 - 10 Units

Bet £10 Get £20

In free bets

New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Mobile exclusive. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. 18+. T&Cs apply. **18+. Online Only. Get paid out as a winner if your team is winning by 2 goals, even if you draw or lose. 90 mins only. Applies to Singles & Multiples. T&Cs apply.

Bet at BoyleSports