TEMPLEGATE tackles the big handicap at Aintree on Saturday – the star-studded Becher Chase.
Our man goes through every runner and rider for the 2.05 contest below and reveals his pick at the bottom.
Remember you can back any horse simply by clicking their odds below.
Becher Chase 2022 runners and riders guide
DE RASHER COUNTER 4
RASHER sizzling. Unlucky to be hampered on both tries over these fences but looked good when second at Warwick latest and solid place claims with better luck.
FRANCKY DU BERLAIS 3
BER with him. Cracking fourth in the Topham and jumped round in the Grand Sefton. Needed comeback over hurdles and can complete again.
SNOW LEOPARDESS 3
SNOW back number. Won this last year from 6lb lower but found ground too quick in the National.
Will go from the front but more rain would help. Place player again.
HILL SIXTEEN 3
HIGH Hill. Beaten a nose in this last year and warmed up with comeback third at Kelso.
Softer would help but we know trip and track are ideal and he has a chance from 9lb higher.
FORTESCUE 2
FORT short. Struggled before unseating in the National but has been aimed at this and warmed up over hurdles at Bangor.
Needs to improve and prefers it more testing.
RECITE A PRAYER 3
HAS a Prayer. Solid handicapper who stayed 3m4f when third at Cork last month. Jumps well and Mullins runners are always respected.
THE JAM MAN 2
PLUM Jam. Not won for two years and last seen struggling on the Flat at The Curragh. Needs these fences to rekindle old spark.
FANTASTIKAS 3
FAN needs support. Has risen through the ranks and wasn’t disgraced in good company at Cheltenham.
Stays and on a fair weight but did make a few mistakes latest which could prove costly.
CLOTH CAP 2
CAP in hand. 2020 Hennessy winner who pulled up when National favourite in 2021 and hasn’t fired since.
Some promise on the Mildmay Course last time after a break but needs more.
DR KANANGA 3
KAN go well. Consistent around this trip and fit from hurdles second at Bangor.
Jumps well so track should suit and more rain would help. Shortlisted.
ASHTOWN LAD 4
DON’T bash Ash. Classy hurdler who was good fifth in the Scottish National when not quite staying.
Drops in trip here and is fit from a hurdles spin. Looks on fair weight and right in the mix.
THE WOLF 3
WOLF in hunt. Not won for two years but has strong form at a high level, including when second at Cheltenham on comeback.
He stays and looks on a fair mark and no shock to see him make the places.
GESSKILLE 4
KILLE a bet. Ran a cracker when beaten a nose in the Grand Sefton here over shorter last time, finishing like a train.
Longer trip ideal and he hasn’t been with this yard long so improvement likely. Massive chance.
RAPID FLIGHT 1
FLIGHT grounded. Solid form at lower levels with best coming at Cartmel. This is much tougher so needs more.
FAGAN 1
FAG ash. Has run well on the Mildmay course and stays this trip strongly. Is entitled to need this comeback from a year off.
CAPTAIN KANGAROO 3
KAN shift. Impressive winner at Cork last month when relishing testing ground.
He can make the odd error and has a 13lb rise to contend with but has ability so can’t be ruled out.
ENQARDE 3
EN the mix. Won the Tommy Whittle last season from similar mark and fit from hurdles comeback. Stays well and has an each-way chance.
DOMAINE DE L’ISLE 2
ISLE pass. Distant fourth in this last year and went well for a fair way in the National.
Looked rusty on comeback and down weights but needs very best.
FIVE STAR GETAWAY 5
STAR turn. Jumped round in the Topham when the trip was too sharp and needed his comeback at Bangor.
This distance is ideal and he looks on a low mark for Christian Williams who is an excellent target trainer. Major player.
NOW WHERE OR WHEN 2
NOT Now. Best form over 2m as when winning in Ireland last time. This longer trip a worry.
PERCUSSION 3
PER fair. Eight-length third in the Grand Sefton over these fences and shapes as though this trip will suit. Could hit frame again.
DIDERO VALLIS 2
DID not. Sixth in this last year off higher weight and solid comeback at Exeter. Should get round but looks short of this level.
MINELLA BOBO 1
BOBO dodo. Been struggling for a while and this looks too much.
Templegate’s tip
FOLLOW the Star in the Becher Chase.
FIVE STAR GETAWAY has been laid out for this race by Christian Williams.
He is fit from a hurdles run at Bangor and jumped around the big fences when finding the Topham trip too short last season.
He can edge out Geskille who was a nose second in the Grand Sefton and will love this trip.
Ashdown Lad is another with more to offer, while De Rasher Counter was back to his best at Warwick last time.
Francky Du Berlais is the pick of the big prices.
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