Aintree specialist should give punters another excellent run

Randox Health Becher Handicap Chase

1.30 Aintree

While this is a wonderful spectacle in its own right, the winner has yet to follow up in the Grand National four months later. It was first run in 1992 and winners Silver Birch and Amberleigh House did go on to land the great race two- and three seasons later.

A third race in six weeks when raised to Grade 1 standard in the Betfair Chase looked a step too far for Ballyoptic. This is much more his level in a race Nigel Twiston-Davies has won six times, including with two top weights. He was successful in the Charlie Hall Chase and four winners were beaten at Wetherby, including two who were runner-up from this stable. He fell last year and also in the Grand National, but still had a chance in both.