The 2025 William Hill Becher Chase is shaping up as a deep, competitive renewal, with 13 staying chasers currently on the list for Aintree’s famous Grand National fences on Saturday, December 6th.
It is a £150,000 Premier Handicap over 3m2f, and the field tells you plenty about how seriously connections treat this early-season marathon.
What follows is a runner-by-runner look at the current entries and their odds, so you can get a feel for the whole landscape before the starter raises the tape.
The Becher Chase is run over the Grand National fences, which immediately changes the sort of horse you are looking for.
Bold, efficient jumping, the ability to hold a rhythm in a big field, and proper staying power at just over three miles are all more important here than a flashy turn of foot.
Recent winners have often used this as either a springboard to the National itself or as a specialist target in its own right, and several of this year’s entries look to fit that profile.
From a betting perspective, the race usually has a clustered front of the market rather than one standout star, and lists again show a group of horses between around 5/1 and 9/1 jostling for prominence.
That leaves plenty of value-hunting for each‑way punters, especially with bookmakers often paying extra places in such a big-field handicap.
Market Principals and Favourites
Mr Vango and Gaboriot are prominent in the Becher Chase market, with the pair vying for favouritism, alongside Galia Des Liteaux in the final on-the-day betting.
Mr Vango, trained by Sara Bradstock, strung together a fine sequence last season in staying handicaps and has long been talked about as a horse built for these fences.
He was entered into the Grand National in 2025 but missed the cut when the final 34 runners were confirmed, which only adds to the sense of “unfinished business” as he returns to Aintree.
Gaboriot, who chased home Colonel Harry over the National fences in the Grand Sefton, has been strongly supported since declarations and is now sharing or pressing for outright favouritism, suggesting punters are taking that piece of course form very seriously.
Current Runners and Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Galia Des Liteaux | 11/2 |
| Mr Vango | 6/1 |
| Excello | 13/2 |
| Bill Baxter | 7/1 |
| Gaboriot | 7/1 |
| Bioluminescence | 8/1 |
| Westerninthepark | 17/2 |
| Val Dancer | 10/1 |
| White Rhino | 12/1 |
| Mahons Glory | 18/1 |
| Twig | 20/1 |
| Monbeg Genius | 22/1 |
| Roi Mage | 25/1 |
Who’s Who
Below is a snapshot of the 13-strong entry, and prices are, naturally, subject to change as the race approaches.
- Galia Des Liteaux – Classy mare for Dan Skelton, already proven at a high level over fences and with the power and size to cope with a searching test
- Mr Vango – Strong‑staying chaser whose connections have long talked about the Grand National fences, bringing a profile of raw stamina and steady improvement
- Gaboriot – Strongly respected after chasing home Colonel Harry over the National fences, marking him down as a serious player if he builds on that run
- Bioluminescence – High‑class mare for Gavin Cromwell, already flagged as a possible Grand National type and respected for her blend of quality and stamina
- White Rhino – Rapid improver for Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero, a strong‑galloping type whose upward curve has made him an intriguing contender
- Westerninthepark – Represents Olly Murphy, a chaser still learning his craft and likely to improve with experience, especially as his stamina is drawn out
- Bill Baxter – Course winner for Warren Greatrex, already successful over the National fences and therefore high on any shortlist of horses likely to take to this challenge again
- Excello – Lightly raced Nicky Henderson chaser with scope for improvement, still relatively unexposed over fences and interesting stepping into a marathon like this
- Monbeg Genius – Consistent handicapper who has threatened to land a big pot and often shapes as though a searching stamina test like this will be right up his street
- Val Dancer – Progressive stayer from the Mel Rowley yard, has been working his way through the ranks and could find further improvement over a trip
- Twig – Seasoned campaigner for Ben Pauling, tough and genuine, with plenty of experience in long‑distance handicaps that could serve him well around Aintree
- Mahons Glory – Solid handicapper for Dylan Cunha, often running well in competitive company and perhaps a little under the radar compared with some stable‑yard heavyweights
- Roi Mage – Well‑travelled Grand National regular, hugely experienced in big staying handicaps and bringing plenty of know‑how, even if his peak days might be behind him
Trainers, Tactics and Trends
The trainers’ roll call underlines the race’s status: Henderson, Skelton, Cromwell and O’Neill all have ammunition lined up.
Several owners and handlers also have multiple shots, which could affect tactics if, for example, a yard fields both a front‑runner and a hold‑up horse to cover contrasting scenarios.
Historically, horses with previous experience over the National fences, or at least in big‑field staying chases, have fared well, and this year’s line‑up is no exception, with Roi Mage and Bill Baxter all bringing some relevant course or marathon form to the table.
Younger legs, though, often cope better with the relentless jumping, so the seven‑ to nine‑year‑old age bracket is likely where many punters will focus.
How The Betting Might Evolve
Between now and race time, the market is likely to respond to ground news, jockey bookings and any bullish noises from high‑profile yards.
A confirmed soft surface, for example, could see proven mudlarks like Galia Des Liteaux or White Rhino shorten noticeably, whereas better ground might favour speedier types such as Excello.
One thing is almost certain: with this depth of quality and quantity, no one will be complaining about a lack of choice when trying to find the winner in this year’s Becher Chase – though your shortlist might end up longer than your shopping list.
BETFRED
