The Becher Chase is a key trial for the Grand National and one of the horses to take out of the race last Saturday is Walk In The Mill. Native River also put down a marker for the most famous steeplechase in the world at the same Aintree meeting, although the Gold Cup rather than the National could be the season-long target via Chepstow and the Welsh Grand National at the end of the month. Meanwhile, past National winner One For Arthur made a solid case for another tilt at the big race.
Walk In The Mill became the first dual winner of the Becher Chase with an impressive run at Aintree. The National prep race is three miles and three furlongs in distance, which is about a mile less than the big race. The race is run over the unique Grand National obstacles, including iconic fences such as Becher's Brook, the Canal Turn and the Chair. Walk In the Mill loves the challenge and has never looked like putting a front wrong in three races over the National course.
His second Becher Chase win in two years confirmed that Walk In The Mill relishes the fences at Aintree. He put in a solid effort when fourth behind Tiger Roll in the National in April. He is a great horse on park fences but runs to a much higher mark over the Grand National track. If the handicapper gives Walk In The Mill a manageable mark, he can make the payout places in the National again. It could be an extra-places race, which means some online bookmakers will payout on five or six places.
One For Arthur outstayed the opposition to win the Grand National in 2017. He shaped well in the Becher Chase on Saturday over a distance that is one mile less than his optimum. The horse never looked like getting in contention but jumped well. One For Arthur passed tired horses at Aintree at the weekend and another tilt at the National is on the cards. The horse is a decent jumper that has now completed the course in four races over the unique fences.
Kimberlite Candy finished second behind Walk In The Mill on Saturday. The extra distance will suit the horse, but he will have to go up in the weights to get into the National. He could sneak in with a manageable mark, but his prospects are ground dependent. Kimberlite Candy goes well on soft ground and the going is usually good over the National course at Aintree in the spring. Jumping is not an issue, but he has to improve his rating to make the final field of 40 runners.
Le Breuil is another horse that delivered an eye-catching run in the Becher Chase in the context of the National. The horse was produced three fences from home, but lack of peak fitness then told. It was Le Breuil's first race over the National fences and the horse looks a genuine contender if his main target for the season is the Grand National. Native River won over the park fences on the same card, but connections may go down the Gold Cup route – a race he won in 2018.
Despite promising trials from a number of horses last weekend, the 2020 Grand National is all about Tiger Roll. If the horse is allocated a winnable handicap mark, a record-breaking third National win in three years is a target. The owners will no doubt have something to say when the weights are announced in February. Michael O'Leary has hinted his horse could be retired after the cross country chase at Cheltenham if his handicap mark is too high.
The top weight for the Grand National carries 11 stone and 10 pounds. Tiger Roll won off five pounds less this year. The handicapper contracts the weights to give the better horses a chance, but Tiger Roll won the 2019 National with something in hand. The run warrants a weight rise, but O'Leary has hinted he won't let the horse run if it gives up too much weight to Gold Cup horses. Native River would be allocated close to top weight, but Tiger Roll is not quite at Gold Cup level.
It's a question of whether the handicapper asks Tiger Roll to carry maximum weight in trying to achieve sporting immortality. Red Rum is the only three-time winner of the National, but no horse has won the race three years in succession. The handicapper may give Tiger Roll a little bit too much to do, but the National could still produce a multiple winner. One For Arthur is proven over the course and distance so could reclaim the National after finishing sixth this year.