Where To Bet on Becher Chase

Race Details:

Date: 2026.12.05
Grade: Three
Open To: Horses Aged Six and Up
Track: Turf
Length: 5,201 Metres
Location: United Kingdom


The Becher Chase is a Grade 3 National Hunt steeplechase run each year at Aintree Racecourse in Merseyside, England. The event typically takes place in late November or early December and serves as a key trial for the Grand National.


Course and Format:

The race covers a distance of 5,201 metres over turf and features 21 fences identical to those used in the Grand National. It is run as a handicap event and is open to horses aged six years old and older. The challenging layout and demanding obstacles make it one of the most testing early season steeplechases in Britain.


Most Recent Race (2025):

Horse: Twig
Jockey: Beau Morgan
Trainer: Ben Pauling

Twig produced a determined and well judged performance to win the 2025 Becher Chase, handling Aintree's famous fences with confidence and stamina to prevail in a competitive handicap.


2024 Race:

The 2024 edition of the Becher Chase was abandoned due to unsuitable weather conditions.


2023 Winner:

Lucy Turner made history as the first female jockey to win the Becher Chase, guiding Chambard to victory at notable odds. Chambard surged ahead after the second to last fence to secure a memorable win.

Second Place: Coko Beach
Third Place: Percussion


Event Significance:

The Becher Chase is contested over the same fences used for the Grand National, offering trainers and jockeys valuable insight into how horses cope with Aintree's unique test. Strong performances in the Becher Chase have often translated into Grand National success. Notably, Amberleigh House and Silver Birch went on to win both races.


Sponsorship and Purse:

Currently sponsored by William Hill, the Becher Chase typically carries a prize purse slightly above GBP 100,000, attracting leading trainers and experienced staying chasers from across Britain and Ireland.


Past Winners and Records:

The most successful horses in the history of the race include Into the Red, Hello Bud, Walk in the Mill, and Vieux Lion Rouge, each recording two victories.

Nigel Twiston Davies is the most successful trainer, having prepared six Becher Chase winners. Several jockeys share the record for most wins, with two victories apiece.

The inaugural running of the Becher Chase took place in 1992 and was won by Kildimo.


Legacy:

Now firmly established as one of Aintree's signature winter events, the Becher Chase combines endurance, strategy, and the spectacle of the National fences. With Twig emerging as the 2025 winner, the race continues to play a vital role in shaping Grand National aspirations and remains a highlight of the British jump racing calendar.

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