West End Rocker romps to Becher Chase success

Report: Aintree, Saturday

Betfred Becher Handicap Chase (Listed) 3m2f Grand National course

WEST END ROCKER ran out a wide-margin winner of a grueling Becher Chase to make up for an unlucky effort in the John Smith's Grand National in April.

Racing on the Grand National course for the first time since the fences were modified in the aftermath of the Ballabriggs' victory, the soft ground conditions proved to be the biggest test to the runners.

Last year's winner Hello Bud set off in his habitual front-running role and jumped soundly for Sam Twiston-Davies while favourite Another Palm quickly dropped towards the rear.

The first casualities came at the modified Becher's Brook with two runners falling before Hello Bud exited when unseating Twiston-Davies at the Canal Turn.

By this stage the race had broken down into a three-runner affair with Nicto De Beauchene retreating and Rare Bob about to run out of stamina.

This left West End Rocker and Niche Market to fight out the finish and it was the former who jumped the last with a clear lead before stretching away to a 22-length win at 10-1 under jockey Wayne Hutchinson.

The Alan King-trained runner was brought down in the Grand National last season and was cut to 20-1 (from 25) by William Hill for the 2012 version. He was also cut to 12-1 (from 33) for the Coral Welsh National by Paddy Power.

Niche Market took second, 32 lengths clear of Ballyvesey who caught stablemate Always Waining close to the finish.

Hutchinson said: "I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed it - what good fun he was. He was absolutely awesome and gave me a great feel all the way round.

"The key to him is to find his gear and jump from fence to fence and he wants these big galloping tracks."

Asked about the modified fences, Hutchinson added: "My lad was foot perfect over them and thoroughly enjoyed himself so I thought they rode lovely."