14.07
SoftBoyleSports Becher Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £75775.5
- 3m 1f 188y
- Class 1
- 12 runners
Runners: 12 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
Abandoned
Form: 1214-1 D
Last run: 35 days
W: 12st 0lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 157
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 1 |
13th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 3m 2f 0y Class 1 |
12st 0lb |
Usually races prominently and can make the running; 7yo who had form figures of 1121 in handicap chases at 3m-3m1f last season, notably with a triumph on heavy ground here at the Festival, and he resumed with clearcut win on good in valuable handicap at Ascot six weeks ago; up another 5lb but the extra distance should help and he remains a fine prospect. |
6/4 |
|
3rd 1 |
13th Dec 2024 Good To Soft 3m 2f 0y Class 1 |
12st 0lb |
Usually races prominently and can make the running; 7yo who had form figures of 1121 in handicap chases at 3m-3m1f last season, notably with a triumph on heavy ground here at the Festival, and he resumed with clearcut win on good in valuable handicap at Ascot six weeks ago; up another 5lb but the extra distance should help and he remains a fine prospect. |
6/4 |
Abandoned
Form: 45U4-1 D
Last run: 24 days
W: 11st 4lb
12 yo Gelding
OR: 147
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
31 |
5th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
10st 6lb |
Completed on all three attempts over these fences, easily best of those efforts when close fourth in last season's Topham (2m5f, soft); has twice won well over about 3m/3m1f, including in November on sole start this term, but today's trip is a leap in the dark and this 13yo has easily his highest mark. |
100/1 |
|
31 |
5th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 4m 2f 74y Class 1 |
10st 6lb |
Completed on all three attempts over these fences, easily best of those efforts when close fourth in last season's Topham (2m5f, soft); has twice won well over about 3m/3m1f, including in November on sole start this term, but today's trip is a leap in the dark and this 13yo has easily his highest mark. |
100/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 21P88- CD
Last run: 270 days
W: 11st 2lb
12 yo Gelding
OR: 145
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
16 |
12th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 3m 5f 56y Class 2 |
10st 5lb |
Won 2022 Kim Muir here (3m2f, soft) and produced career-best performance when scoring by 13l over the big Aintree fences last season (3m2f, heavy); badly out of form this term, though, and this new discipline needs to rekindle his enthusiasm; 6lb out of the handicap. |
100/1 |
|
7th 1 |
10th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 3m 4f 102y Class 3 |
12st 2lb |
towards rear, headway on outer after 10th, lost ground after 15th |
25/1 |
|
7th 1 |
10th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 3m 4f 102y Class 3 |
12st 2lb |
towards rear, headway on outer after 10th, lost ground after 15th |
25/1 |
Abandoned
Form: P111-P C
Last run: 56 days
W: 10st 13lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 142
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10th 5 |
1st Feb 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 68y Class 2 |
11st 5lb |
midfield in centre of group |
20/1 |
|
10th 5 |
1st Feb 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 68y Class 2 |
11st 5lb |
midfield in centre of group |
20/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 511-47 D
Last run: 41 days
W: 10st 11lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 140
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 2 |
23rd May 2026 Good 3m 0f 30y Class 2 |
11st 8lb |
Took big step back in right direction when fifth at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft) last month, in race he won the previous two seasons; still on a workable mark and has a fighting chance here if first-time cheekpieces have any positive effect. |
9/4 |
|
5th 9 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 210y Class 1 |
11st 9lb |
Has failed to show his form in both outings this term but a revival looks highly likely back at Aintree on return from four-month break; 2-2 over fences at this venue, namely wins in this race for the last two years (good/good to soft); had a similar prep when winning by 5l off just 1lb lower 12 months ago; commands respect in the hat-trick attempt. |
11/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 23P8-3 D
Last run: 34 days
W: 10st 7lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 136
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 |
15th Apr 2026 Good 3m 1f 125y Class 2 |
10st 13lb |
A strong stayer but with a strike-rate of only 2-17 over fences and excuses are wearing thin; on the plus side, they were solid enough efforts on last two starts (3m4f/3m6f) and he nearly won off this mark on his reappearance (3m2f). |
9/2 |
|
3rd 1 |
22nd Mar 2026 Good 3m 6f 153y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Struggled on heavy ground two starts ago (first-time cheekpieces) but quickly got back on track with battling second at Haydock (3m4f, good to soft) this month; remains on a workable mark and good ground also suits; ought to make his presence felt again. |
7/2 |
|
2nd 1 |
5th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 4f 97y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Last win came here back in 2022 and he's not proving easy to catch right nowadays either, tried in cheekpieces when pulled up in 3m2f handicap chase at Wincanton in January; others are preferred. |
7/2 |
Abandoned
Form: 52B-11 C
Last run: 28 days
W: 10st 4lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 133
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
21st Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 7f 91y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Won good-quality handicaps at Aintree (2m5f) and Cheltenham (3m2f) towards end of 2024; not at best in 2025 but he shaped as if retaining ability; missed the Grimthorpe at Doncaster in February due to soft ground; drying conditions should help and, back to his last winning mark, he's a possible. |
4/1 |
|
15 |
11th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 3m 1f 0y Class 1 |
11st 1lb |
The writing was on the wall very early when pulled up at Musselburgh latest and it's hard to be confident on the back of that; however, this 7yo has enjoyed a progressive season otherwise, completing a hat-trick with his win here (3m2f, good to soft) in December before solid third at Wincanton (3m2f, good to soft); can make bold bid if bouncing back. |
16/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 4P-323
Last run: 24 days
W: 10st 3lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 132
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
1st Mar 2025 Good To Soft 3m 2f 1y Class 2 |
10st 12lb |
All three of his wins came in autumn 2022; running creditably this season, including over 3m2f, but he could not hold his own in a valuable handicap at Ascot on latest occasion and it's likely to be the same story today unless first-time cheekpieces receive a very positive response. |
40/1 |
|
8 |
15th Feb 2025 Good To Soft 2m 7f 180y Class 1 |
10st 7lb |
Record of 0-5 for current stable; consistent efforts at Uttoxeter (twice, in the summer) and Bangor (autumn) this season but faces a stiffer task in this field. |
25/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 35PU-6
Last run: 24 days
W: 10st 2lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 130
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
13th Feb 2026 Soft 3m 0f 38y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Last successful in the Midlands Grand National of 2023; lost his way for Alan King and a beaten favourite in his two recent points; tries blinkers. |
4/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 57496-
Last run: 225 days
W: 10st 2lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 129
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10 |
1st May 2026 Yielding 3m 0f 160y |
12st 0lb |
Veteran has been competing quite effectively in points; however, could manage only a moderate fourth in an incident-packed Fairyhouse race won by Five Star Getaway. |
50/1 |
|
4th 7 |
5th Apr 2026 Yielding To Soft 3m 0f 180y |
12st 0lb |
Veteran has been competing quite effectively in points, this looks too demanding. |
20/1 |
|
16 |
26th May 2025 Good 2m 7f 72y |
10st 13lb |
Veteran is 3-19 over fences; won off 121 at Down Royal (3m, gd-yld) in January; pulled up next two starts then beaten 16.5l off this mark on latest at Punchestown; likes going right-handed but others hold more pressing claims. |
16/1 |
Abandoned
Form: 1U-113 D
Last run: 28 days
W: 10st 2lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 128
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 10 |
9th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Pulled up in the Becher here in December and his two subsequent hunter chase runs have yielded an early fall and disappointing defeat; twice placed over these fences, however, most recently in the Grand Sefton over C&D in November, and could have an each-way shout if back on song in change of headgear. |
25/1 |
|
3rd 2 |
19th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 11y Class 4 |
12st 6lb |
Pulled up in the Becher Chase at Aintree in December but finished a very good second in the Grand Sefton (2m5f, good to soft) the previous month; returned to hunter chasing with quite a spill at Catterick a fortnight ago but holds leading claims if that hasn't left a mark. |
5/4 |
|
1 |
4th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 54y Class 5 |
12st 6lb |
Pulled up in the Becher Chase at Aintree last time but had previously finished a very good second in the Grand Sefton (2m5f, good to soft); did well hunter chasing back in 2024 and the one to beat. |
10/11 |
Abandoned
Form: 42-427 D
Last run: 28 days
W: 10st 2lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 125
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
22 |
3rd Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Will need to step up on his recent hunter chase efforts but he has form figures of 33237 in handicaps over the Grand National fences; a bold show would be no surprise. |
20/1 |
|
15th 22 |
3rd Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
Will need to step up on his recent hunter chase efforts but he has form figures of 33237 in handicaps over the Grand National fences; a bold show would be no surprise. |
20/1 |
|
3rd 8 |
3rd Mar 2025 Good To Soft 3m 0f 60y Class 5 |
11st 12lb |
Close third in similar event at Ludlow (3m) last month; on a long losing spell but won his last two Southwell attempts (spring 2022) and is interesting back here. |
4/1 |
Verdict
The step back up in trip could be ideal for GABORIOT (nap), who won a 4m hunter chase at Cheltenham in May and stayed on for a good third behind King Turgeon in the Grand Sefton over 2m5f here last month. King Turgeon should be fine at today’s distance and is feared most ahead of Cruz Control, who could have more to offer over staying trips. Class act Chianti Classico could play a leading role off top weight, while Topham winner Arizona Cardinal is another to be interested in.[Ben Hutton]
Selections
Daily Record:
Cruz ControlThe Sun:
Arizona CardinalThe Star:
Major DundeePOSTDATA:
Celebre d'AllenThe Guardian:
King TurgeonTelegraph:
Chianti ClassicoD Express:
Chianti ClassicoDaily Mirror:
Iron Bridge