Weekend Betting Tips: Benbens poised for success at Aintree

Our tipster Karl Hedley provides the odds for the weekend's races

SATURDAY

AINTREE

1-30 BETFRED BECHER HANDICAP CHASE (GRADE 3) – 3 M 2 F

Benbens has proven to be a model of consistency for Nigel Twiston-Davies. He managed to win three times on the bounce last season at tracks such as Ludlow, Stratford and Wincanton. This year he has improved on each of his efforts and he was unfortunate to run into a rejuvenated Charingworth at Ascot last time. He was giving the winner nine pounds on that occasion so the run was a good effort and as this is a race that his trainer specifically targets, he has to be of obvious interest. Five of the last six winners of this race have carried less than eleven stone to victory and with talented amateur Ryan Hatch claiming five pounds off his back, Benbens has to be considered.

Balbriggan has won four of his last five starts and that improvement in form coincided with him joining the Gordon Elliott team. Asides from falling on his first start for his new handler, he has not looked back since joining the operation and even recorded a win over this trip at Cartmel back in August. He jumps for fun and with stamina assured, he looks set to play a pivotal role in the outcome here and may prove the biggest threat.

Mendip Express has won four of his seven career starts including on his seasonal return at Warwick last time. The Tourard Man was well beaten off in second place but he has subsequently come out to win and frank the form. If there was a horse that could defy a big weight to win it could well be him. Benbens still looks attractively handicapped and gets weight from the vast majority of his rivals here. If putting together his usual solid effort he can be right in the mix at the finish.

SANDOWN PARK

3-00 888SPORT TINGLE CREEK CHASE – 2 MILES

Oscar Whisky made a pleasing seasonal reappearance when contesting the Paddy Power a few weeks ago. He shouldered top-weight in that particular race and ran an absolute screamer in the circumstances finishing fourth behind Caid Du Berlais. He was doing all of his best work in the closing stages and will almost certainly have benefitted for the race. There will have been plenty of other options for him during the Christmas period, but Nicky Henderson clearly feels that the step back to two miles will not be a problem. Barry Geraghty is once again on board and he has to remain high on the shortlist as he is two from two at the track.

God’s Own was a facile winner of the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on his first start of the year. He will only have improved for that run and he can be expected to confirm form with likes of Balder Success, Pepite Rose and Somersby. He has the potential to go to the very top this season and he has to rate as the most likely danger.

Vukovar is held in high regard by Harry Fry and he had no problem winning a novices chase at Newbury last season. The ground was not in his favour at the Cheltenham Festival and that run is best forgotten. He comes here a fresh horse and if taking to the railway fences he too has a live each way claim. Oscar Whisky is a seriously talented chaser on his day and the decision of connections to race here has be respected. It would be of little surprise to see him getting back to winning ways this afternoon.

AINTREE

3-15 BETFRED GRAND SEFTON HANDICAP CHASE – 2 M 5 F 110YDS

Hunt Ball is slowly but steadily returning to somewhere near his best. Having enjoyed a profitable season a few years back when trained by Kieron Burke, he was then shipped off to America where his career met a stumbling block. Nicky Henderson only had him for a small part of last year, but in his few runs he showed glimpses of his old self. He made his seasonal reappearance at Ascot last month where ran well for a long way before tiring in the closing stages. That run will have done him the world of good and he is expected to come on for it. Andrew Tinkler is once again in the saddle and despite having to give weight away to the majority of their rivals, they ought to put in a solid effort and run well.

Rolling Aces wears his heart on his sleeve and gives it his all in every appearance. Being the classiest horse in the field comes with a price as he has to give weight away all around. Nick Schofield renews his association with the eight year old and the duo command utmost respect.

Paul Nicholls also has another leading contender here in Rebel Rebellion. He landed this race last year in desperate ground and if things deteriorate, he is one to have on your side. Jim Goldie has an affinity for this race and has taken it twice in recent years with unconsidered outsiders. He has Too Cool To Fool off bottom weight here and despite being an eleven year old, he could still sneak a place a huge odds. Hunt Ball bids to gain a first success in over eighteen months and if improving on that latest effort he ought to go well at decent odds.