VIEUX Lion Rouge collared last year's winner Highland Lodge in the final strides to land the Grade 3 Betfred Becher Handicap Chase at Aintree.

Highland Lodge was always prominent and looked like becoming the first horse to take this race two years in a row, but Tom Scudamore and Vieux Lion Rouge sneaked up the rail to snatch the spoils. It was tough luck on Highland Lodge's connections, particularly jockey Henry Brooke who has only recently returned to action after suffering injuries that left him in an induced coma less than two months ago.