Highland Lodge on course for another tilt at favourite race

Highland Lodge and Vieux Lion Rouge, previous winners of the Randox Health Becher Chase, are among 60 entries for next month’s Grade 3 spectacular.

The James Moffatt-trained Highland Lodge, winner in 2015, is arguably unfortunate not to be bidding for a hat-trick in the 3m2f contest over the famous Grand National fences as he was beaten only a short head by Vieux Lion Rouge last year after being hampered by a loose horse early on.

“He's every bit as well as he was at this time last year, which is obviously very pleasing,” said Moffatt.

“The race has been his target since the National in April and he always runs well fresh. He was unlucky last year and, for an 11-year-old, has very low mileage.”

Highland Lodge clearly has a great aptitude for jumping the big fences, and Moffatt added: “I think he has a good deal of respect for them. Regulation fences don’t pose enough of a challenge, and the pace of a Becher suits him well. He likes to get into a good rhythm which, of course, is so important round Aintree.

“Traditionally you'd give a horse two prep runs before the Becher, but where this lad is concerned, that would almost take something away from him. He loves to be fresh.”

Moffatt’s gallop rises 302 feet from bottom to top, and Highland Lodge is giving his trainer all the right signs.

“We’ve got lots of work into him and we’re all very much looking forward to the race,” he added.

Vieux Lion Rouge: won the contest last yearCredit: John Grossick

David Pipe confirmed Vieux Lion Rouge is on course to try and retain his Becher Chase crown after his seasonal-reappearance fourth to Bristol De Mai in Wetherby’s Charlie Hall Chase.

“He came out of the Charlie Hall fine and all roads lead to Aintree,” said Pipe.

Blaklion, who looked the likely winner of this year’s National early in the straight before weakening to finish fourth, is also among the entries, along with National fifth Gas Line Boy.

As De Mee, five-length winner of the 188bet.co.uk Grand Sefton Chase last year, is one of 37 entries for this year’s race. He is also entered in the Becher.

Becher Chase entries

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