AINTREE SATURDAY

1.30 RANDOX HEALTH BECHER HANDICAP CHASE (GRADE 3) 3M 1F 188Y

This renewal of the Becher Chase has a familiar look to it, featuring as it does the first three home from last year, as well as a few also-rans. Highland Lodge may be in the veteran stage of his career, but he’s been very sparingly raced since joining Jimmy Moffatt two years ago, is weighted to reverse form with Vieux Lion Rouge from 12 months ago and he handled heavy ground well when landing this contest in 2015. His relatively light weight is a big positive in the conditions, and he goes well after a break, at least at this time of year.

3.10 188BET GRAND SEFTON HANDICAP CHASE 2M 5F 19Y

A slightly disappointing turnout for the Grand Sefton with only 11 declared, and Gas Line Boy, who would have been a big fancy for the Becher, looks opposable at this trip despite an eyecatching return when falling when set to win over the Mildmay course here six weeks ago. Ready preference in the conditions is for Captain Redbeard who is best suited by a flat track and might have won on his reappearance at Wetherby in the mud but for being committed for home a long way out.

He was collared late after going clear in the home straight and will benefit from a slightly more patient ride here, bearing in mind the gruelling nature of the run-in on the Grand National course. Sam Coltherd’s claim takes Captain Redbeard’s weight down to 11st, and the weight he receives from Sametegal could be crucial. Paul Nicholls’ runner is much respected, however and can run a bold race despite his welter burden.

SANDOWN SATURDAY

12.40 IPA CLEANING & HYGIENE MARES’ HANDICAP HURDLE 2M 3F 173Y

The trip is a minor concern for Pam Sly’s All My Love, but a nine-length defeat of Treackle Tart at Market Rasen in the spring reads really well now, and she wasn’t seen to best effect on her handicap debut. Since then the daughter of Lord Shanakill has shown improved form on the flat, winning at Catterick and finishing second at Newmarket last month.

A line through Treackle Tart, last seen in a listed race at Kempton behind the likes of Jer’s Girl, suggests that All My Love is leniently handicapped on 118, and this straightforward type ought to keep progressing at the winter game given her profile.

1.10 PERTEMPS NETWORK HANDICAP HURDLE (QUALIFIER) 2M 7F 98Y

Monbeg Oscar is a half-brother to Hoopy, controversial winner of a 3m handicap chase at Cheltenham a few years ago (you may remember his jockey, Jason McKeown, borrowing a rival’s whip during the race) and Evan Williams’ charge is open to improvement now tackling a trip in line with his pedigree now. The five-year-old gelding ran a fine race on his handicap debut over two miles here, but that trip looks very much a minimum given how he was always flat to the boards before keeping on stoutly and he should improve considerably for the stiffer test here.

It’s of no concern that he’s marginally out of the weights, especially with Mitch Bastyan taking over the steering, and he could be well ahead of the handicapper given how unexposed he is.

1.45 RANDOXHEALTH.COM HENRY VIII NOVICES’ CHASE (GRADE 1) 1M 7F 119Y

Not an easy race to bet in, but the Henry VIII looks the highlight of the season so far in terms of the novice chase division and this looks far more than a simple clash between Brain Power and Finian’s Oscar with all the runners having posted smart efforts already over fences.

Brain Power is the one to beat on the clock having made a big impression on his chase debut, but I was very impressed with the way Finian’s Oscar knuckled down to a battle at Cheltenham last month. He continually gives the impression that there is something beneath the surface which has barely been scratched. This race will be a thorough test of his big-race credentials and he should win over the few remaining doubters if able to get the better of a strong field in this.

2.20 JUMEIRAH HOTELS AND RESORTS DECEMBER HANDICAP HURDLE (LISTED) 1M 7F 216Y

I’m not sure this is quite as deep as it looks at first glance, and I’m taking a chance on Evening Hush bouncing back to form after a break. The Excellent Art filly is not an obvious type for the winter game on breeding, but was very impressive in gaining wins at Exeter and Aintree last winter before losing her form.

She jumped really well when winning a listed contest by more than 20 lengths at the latter track, and backed up the impression made with a smart time, so it may be wise to forgive her a low-key end to her first campaign. She clearly goes well fresh, is fairly treated on her early efforts and would presumably not be aimed at such a valuable prize if she wasn’t considered fit enough by Evan Williams. With all that in mind, she looks quite appealing at 33/1 or thereabouts.

2.55 BETFAIR TINGLE CREEK CHASE (GRADE 1) 1M 7F 119Y

Fox Norton is my idea of the Queen Mother Champion Chase winner, and is therefore hard to oppose in a weakened Tingle Creek, but there may be value to be had in any markets without the favourite, with Politologue looking too short, and I’d be inclined to take a chance of Ar Mad reversing Exeter form with Paul Nicholls’ rising star. Ar Mad is clearly a thick-winded horse who blew up before keeping on again late in this race last year, and he can be quite a sight tackling the fences in the back straight at Sandown when on song.

Assuming he simply needed the run badly in the Haldon Gold Cup, he can be expected to leave the form well behind, and the seven-year-old is easily the main danger to Fox Norton on the pick of his previous form.

RECOMMENDED:

HIGHLAND LODGE 1.30 Aintree – 1pt e/w @ 10/1 (general)

CAPTAIN REDBEARD 3.10 Aintree – 1pt win @ 12/1 (Bet365)

ALL MY LOVE 12.40 Sandown – 1pt win @ best available

MONBEG OSCAR 1.10 Sandown – 2pts win @ 7/2 (Paddy Power, Betfair)

EVENING HUSH 2.20 Sandown – 0.5pts e/w @ 33/1 (general)

WINNERS

Rory’s picks last week incl-uded Gold Present at 13/2 & High Bridge at 9/4F