'It's all systems go' - who will come out on top over the National fences in wide-open Becher Chase?

As you might have feared, the Becher Chase has weighed in light. A field of 12 ties last year's race for the smallest since 2009. But the story has the same positive flip side as last week's Coral Gold Cup. This is still just about the best race it could have been, given the current horse population.

Of the 12 runners, only two are veterans. That is 17 per cent, whereas over the last ten years horses aged ten and older have made up 28 per cent of Becher runners.

The seniors in this year's field are 12-year-olds Chambard and Celebre D'Allen. They were first and fourth last year, but experience over the National fences matters less than it used to. Celebre D'Allen, an impressive winner at Bangor last time under equally impressive 7lb claimer Callum Pritchard, is rightly regarded as the more dangerous. He is in effect a stone higher than at Bangor, though.

Both also carry a lot more weight than last year, and it would have been higher still but for Chianti Classico. He adds an interesting flavour to this year's Becher, as a highly rated chaser with the potential to go further. He would have been among the favourites for last week's Coral Gold Cup and has shades of another Kim Bailey horse associated with this race. The Last Samuri was never seriously talked about as a Grade 1 chaser, yet he twice placed in the Becher off higher marks than Chianti Classico's 157.

Chianti Classico: winner at Ascot last timeCredit: Alan Crowhurst

There is a sense that Chianti Classico might be too good for this field. The two 12-year-olds aside, he is giving more than a stone to the rest. He is also forcing Major Dundee, Gaboriot and Percussion out of the weights. All three are otherwise of some interest, and in truth if you fancy one of the first two then being 1lb and 3lb 'wrong' should not put you off too much.

Like Chianti Classico, Cruz Control is out to avenge a historical stablemate. His trainer, Tom Lacey, twice had Kimberlite Candy finish second in the Becher. Cruz Control suits Aintree, having won the Freebooter here in April.

It might be provocative to say Cruz Control's round of jumping that day was just as good an audition for this race as King Turgeon (won) or Gaboriot (third) put up in last month's Grand Sefton. But it might be true in these days of softened fences, and smaller fields, on the National course.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

King Turgeon bids to rule the Becher

David Pipe is under no illusions as to how difficult it will be for his Grand Sefton winner King Turgeon to complete an early-season hat-trick in the Becher Chase.

The six-year-old began this term with a ten-length success over this marathon distance at Chepstow, before following up at this track when landing the Grand Sefton by three-and-a-quarter lengths.

Jack Tudor's mount brings rock-solid form into the contest, but Pipe knows it will be a tough ask for his four-time winner.

King Turgeon: took out the Grand Sefton on his recent outingCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Pipe said: "He's in great form, but it's going to be a tough race. It'll be a slog, which may play a bit stronger to Chianti Classico and Gaboriot, but there's nothing we can do about that. He's schooled over the fences this week and we're looking forward to it.

"He took us by surprise at Chepstow. We knew he was in good form, but we didn't expect him to win as easy as he did. The Grand Sefton was in the back of our minds because of how he jumps and how sometimes that race can cut up a bit, so that was our main goal. Everything after that is a bonus really."

What they say

Kim Bailey, trainer of Chianti Classico
I'm delighted with him and it's been his target since he ran at Ascot last time. It's all systems go, although there is some slight concern about the weather, but he's come out of his last race fine.

Venetia Williams, trainer of Chambard
Winning this race was obviously the highlight of last season for him and he's in good form. I'm hoping he can put up a similar performance.

Stuart Edmunds, trainer of Arizona Cardinal
I'm very happy with him and he's in good order, and he obviously handles the track. We go there quite hopeful, but my only negative would be the ground and trip combination and if he gets home, but I think he will.

Arizona Cardinal (right) ridden by Ciaran Gethings wins the Topham in AprilCredit: John Grossick

Alan King, trainer of Major Dundee
We were pleased with his comeback run at Bangor. He was bang there three out but took a bit of a blow. However, he is lazy at home and difficult to get fit, so he always improves for a race. He’s been dropped a couple of pounds so it will be interesting to see how he takes to it.

Oliver Greenall, joint-trainer of Gaboriot
He's all good and he's come out of the Grand Sefton fine, he should come on for that. It's a step up in trip and the ground shouldn't be a problem, so we're looking forward to it.
Reporting by Liam Headd

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