Becher Chase Day

There is a busy day ahead with five meetings taking place.  There are jumps cards from Aintree, Chepstow, Sandown and Wetherby as well as an all-weather flat fixture from Wolverhampton.  David has runners at Aintree and Chepstow today with Ramses de Teillee and Vieux Lion Rouge (pictured above) contesting the Becher Chase at Aintree and Broughtons Admiral representing the yard at Chepstow.

The big race of the day at Aintree is the Becher Chase at 1.30pm which is run over 3m2f of the Grand National course.  Vieux Lion Rouge won the race in 2016 and was runner-up in 2018, whilst he has completed a further twice in the race as well as in four Grand Nationals meaning that he has successfully negotiated 202 of the unique fences - an incredible achievement.  He is 2lbs lower than his last winning mark and seems to retain all of his enthusiasm at the age of eleven.  Conditions should suit once again and he is certainly not out of it.  Conor O'Farrell takes the ride and was aboard when last successful in a valuable veteran's chase.

Ramses de Teillee has been a marvellous flag-bearer for the yard over the past couple of years and he looked as good as ever when winning at Cheltenham last time out.  He is closely weighted with Yala Enki once again and he should be right there.  He has experience of these fences as he contested the 2019 Grand National, although I am afraid I do take exception to the Racing Post's analysis of his performance that day.  To say that he faded that day is just wrong - a rein broke at the Canal Turn so the fact that he finished at all is an amazing performance.  Anyway, I digress - he jumps and stays well and will love the ground.  In fact, the more rain, the better his chances.  Tom Scudamore is in the saddle and he must have a good chance.

Over at Chepstow Broughtons Admiral contests the 2m7½f handicap hurdle at 1.22pm.  A winner at upto 3m1½f on heavy ground, conditions should suit, although he remains 3lbs above his last winning mark.  Fergus Gillard takes 5lbs off his back which will help and he would have a chance in this five runner contest on his best form.

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There are four Premiership matches taking place this afternoon with West Ham versus Manchester United probably the pick of them from a competitive point of view.

Qualifying takes place today ahead of the second Grand Prix in Bahrain, this time over a shortened version of the track used last weekend.  George Russell has looked good in practice as he stands in for Lewis Hamilton and should give Valterri Bottas plenty to think about.

Judd Trump and Neil Robertson both progressed to the last four of the UK snooker championship yesterday with Robertson impressive in beating Mark Selby 6-2.  He will now face Zhou Yuelong who he beat 9-0 in the final of the European Masters in January so it would be a big surprise to see him turn that around.

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Time to roll out the Christmas crackers...

What kind of motorbike does Santa ride? A Holly Davidson!

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