2023 Aintree Becher Chase Ante-Post Tip – DS
2023 Aintree Becher Chase Ante-Post tip
Our atrocious run finally came to an end on Sunday at Fairyhouse. Eagle Fang wasn’t in the same class as the first two, but he kept on well for place money at 16/1. Street Value was given a dinger of a ride by Danny Mullins to win the Porterstown for us at 25/1. Fascile Mode was a shade disappointing and Morning Soldier ran as though connections have a different day in mind. Now, the focus switches to the Grand National fences and the 2023 Aintree Becher Chase, get Dave Stevos’ ante-post tip below.
2.05 Saturday – Becher Handicap Chase (Premier)
The Becher Chase is a race that we have a decent record in over the years. In 2022 we backed Percussion at 20s and he ran into a place in third. That was off 130, he is off the same mark today but unfortunately, the cat is out of the bag with him now.
The bookies make him the 6/1 second favourite and while he ran a cracker in the Grand Sefton on heavy, good to soft ground should suit even better if the rain doesn’t arrive. Obvious chance, but too short for us on this occasion.
Rain Forecast
While the ground is currently good to soft, there is a lot of rain forecast later this week. Currently, almost 40mm is expected between now and Friday and if that is accurate, the ground is going to be testing.
If the rain didn’t come, I’d really fancy Minella Trump to run big off 145. However, he needs proper nice ground and he is unlikely to get his favoured conditions. One man who won’t mind the inclement weather forecast is Nigel Twiston Davies.
He has an unrivalled record in this race, winning it six times, so he knows the type of horse you need. This year, he relies upon Undersupervision and he shaped as though he was coming to hand last time out at Cheltenham.
Much Improved
After a fairly lifeless seasonal return at Prestbury Park, Undersupervision was much improved back at the same track three weeks later. Ridden by an inexperienced claimer, he ran a lovely race to finish third of sixteen, 3.5L behind the winner Hascoeur Clermont. That came off a mark of 132 and he is 2lbs higher today.
When this horse is on it, he usually races close to the pace, a trait I like for this race. It can be hard to make up ground from the back, especially when the ground is testing. His two wins have come on soft and heavy ground so if the weather forecast is correct, it will enhance his chance considerably.
Moroder Form
His last win came off 132 and he was beat a neck by the then 131 rated Moroder at Donny last season off that same mark. Moroder went on to finish a fine second in the B365 Gold Cup at Sandown off 5lbs higher on his next start and he is now rated 140. Undersupervision is 7lbs better off with that rival here so he should be able to turn that form around.
After claiming 7lbs off him at Cheltenham, it’ll be interesting to see who Twiston Davies books for the ride on Saturday. I’d imagine his son Sam will take over but I wouldn’t mind seeing young Toby McCain-Mitchell getting another crack and taking off 7lbs. Either way, if he can build on that fine Cheltenham effort last time out, Undersupervision should outrun his odds of 16/1.
