With the festive period beginning to move through the gears, this weekend sees one of December’s most iconic contests take place at Aintree. Having made their seasonal return in the Grand Sefton Chase, the imposing Grand National fences stride into view once more for the 2025 edition of the Becher Chase.
The 3m2f trip is a step up from the 2m5f of the Grand Sefton, but still some way short of the springtime showstopper. Nevertheless, the jumping challenge remains the same in a race which is regularly used as a stepping stone towards Grand National glory. Since making its debut in 1992, Amberleigh House (2001) and Silver Birch (2004) have followed up in the big one. 1998 Grand National winner Earth Summit added the Becher Chase to his haul later that year, while One For Arthur finished fifth in this race before his famous Grand National success in 2017.
With the final field confirmed, 13 runners remain in contention for the 2025 edition of this £150,000 contest, which is currently headed by a horse who picked up two National victories last season.
Giant Mr Vango Head and Shoulders Above the Competition?
Labelled “the biggest thoroughbred I’ve seen” by trainer Sara Bradstock, there is no missing the imposing presence of Mr Vango at the track. Now nine years old, the Ocovango gelding doesn’t do anything particularly quickly, but speed isn’t the name of the game in an event such as this. Anything he lacks in pace, he more than makes up for in guts and sheer staying power. Once getting into that relentless galloping stride, Mr Vango is a force to be reckoned with in stamina-sapping contests.
“We schooled him over the National fences in Lambourn the other day and he didn’t really notice any difference.”
Sara Bradstock’s stable star Mr Vango could be set for the Becher Chase at Aintree on Saturday 🙌 pic.twitter.com/opTxhcMDLa
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 1, 2025
Announcing himself on the staying chase scene with a 60-length romp in the 2024 Devon National at Exeter, he then came up short in the National Hunt Chase and Scottish Grand National. While appearing only three times in 2024/25, he enhanced his reputation with tenacious wins in the London National, Peter Marsh Handicap Chase, and a career-best victory in the Midlands National.
He’s up 9lb for that Uttoxeter success but, with the Grand National the ultimate aim, there may be more to come from this lovable giant. Carrying top weight of 12st might be less of a hindrance than for smaller horses, and he heads the market at a general price of 4/1.
Gaboriot to Build on Aintree Record?
If there is one question against Mr Vango, it is that he has yet to tackle these imposing obstacles. One horse for whom Becher’s Brook and The Chair will hold few surprises is the Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero-trained Gaboriot.
Gaboriot braved the rain to prepare for Aintree this week, before keeping warm back in his stables to relax before his big race tomorrow!🐎 pic.twitter.com/zPU9ZFp3gn
— Greenall Guerriero Racing (@G_G_Racing) April 10, 2024
Since joining the yard from France in 2023, Gaboriot has appeared three times over the Grand National fences, and his performances have improved each time. Unseating in the 2024 Foxhunter’s Chase, he then finished third in the 2024 Grand Sefton. Making his seasonal return in the 2025 Grand Sefton, he posted another excellent effort to finish second to Colonel Harry. Having hit the line well that day and won over 4m½f in the past, he boasts obvious claims off a 2lb higher mark.
Skeltons to Strike Again?
Dan Skelton claimed the 2022 edition of this with Ashtown Lad and sends the mare Galia Des Liteaux into battle this time around. She is without a win since 2023 but is hard to discount given the red-hot form of the yard.
Whilst yet to score over quite this far, she posted a mighty effort in defeat when second under top weight in the 2024 edition of the 3m5f Classic Chase. Now 8lb below her rating for that Warwick contest, she carries only 10st7lb once Tristan Durrell’s 3lb claim is taken into account. Having blown away the cobwebs with a recent spin at Carlisle, she looks dangerous for a yard that has claimed the Paddy Power Gold Cup, Betfair Chase, and Coral Gold Cup in recent weeks.
Bioluminescence Lights the Way for Ireland
The Irish are without a win in this race since Dessie Hughes landed back-to-back editions with Black Apalachi and Vic Venturi in 2008 and 2009. The task of ending the wait falls to the sole Irish-trained runner in the field, Bioluminescence.
Hailing from the yard of Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Gavin Cromwell and sporting the green and gold of JP McManus, this mare enjoyed a largely successful novice campaign. It all went wrong in the Irish Grand National, but she had previously claimed a Grade 2 event at Limerick and finished second to the talented Dancing City in a Naas Grade 3. Third on her recent return at Clonmel, she shouldn’t be underestimated for her shrewd handler.
Others to note include the Greenall & Guerriero second string White Rhino, the consistent Bill Baxter, and Monbeg Genius, who is well handicapped on the pick of his form.