SNOW COMING TO AINTREE

We head to Aintree for the Becher Handicap Chase over the national fences. Let us enjoy better luck than last Saturday when both our contendors Enrilo and Remastered fell! In my opinion Remastered was on route to victory but as they say in this game all the time "the fences are there to be jumped"! A strong field of 22 runners go to post today in the Becher Chase with the ground officiallly soft.

Snow Leopardess is reported to have taken well to these fences following a spin over them at Lambourn last week. She is a cracking mare who jumps well and likes to be up on the front end out of trouble. The more rain the better as all she does in jump and gallop. She won a competitive chase on her first run this season at Bangor and arrives here bang in form.

The handicapper raised her 5lbs but in a Becher chase it is more about jumping and rhythm than a few pounds here or there. Aidan Coleman rides again and with just 10-4 on her back this guaranteed stayer should run a big race with a clear round. She finished ahead of Remastered in the National Hunt chase at Cheltenham least season as he would have gone close in the Ladbrokes Trophy last Saturday if not falling at the fourth last!

Venetia Williams is banging in the winners despite the unseasonably good ground, and I like the chances of her first-string Achille. This horse finished runner up in the Classic Chase at Warwick last season off a 427-day break so the lack of a recent run in no concern. He ran off the pace at Warwick which is not easy and came wide around the field to get bang into contention against the Alan King trained winner Notachance.

In the end there was just a half length in it over 3m5f on soft ground. Achille finished runner up again at Haydock in a Grand National trial beaten a half length by Lord Du Mesnil. Today he meets Lord Du Mesnil on 4lbs better terms and I think Achille has more scope for this jumping test. Charlie Deutsch rides and carrying 10-5 I think Achille is overpriced.

0.5 point each way Achille 9/1 Boylesports paying 6 Places.

Compare Odds at https://www.oddschecker.com/horse-racing/aintree/14:40/winner