Becher Chase test perfect for Blaklion at Aintree
Twiston-Davies is having a superb season so far and feels that Aintree's Randox Health Becher Chase, run over the National fences, is the right race for Blaklion.
NIGEL TWISTON-DAVIES believes Saturday’s Randox Health Becher Chase is perfect for Blaklion.
The eight-year-old was fourth behind One For Arthur in last season’s Grand National having gone for home a long way out.
He returned to action better than ever with a half-length second to stablemate Bristol De Mai – runaway winner of the Betfair Chase on his next start – in the Charlie Hall.
Gavin Sheehan, who rode him at Wetherby, keeps the ride.
Twiston-Davies said: “Everything looks perfect. We don’t get too excited as everything will go wrong but he’s a worthy favourite I would have thought.”
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Future plans hinge on Saturday’s performance but a return to Aintree in the spring looks on the cards. He could be joined in the world’s greatest race by stablemates Splash Of Ginge, Double Ross and Cogry.
Twiston-Davies added: “If Blaklion is beaten a distance then we’ll have to scratch our brains – if he romps home we might have a Gold Cup horse. I don’t know.”
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Jockey son Sam is hoping to be fit to ride The New One – trained by his dad – in the quest for a record-breaking fourth International Hurdle at Cheltenham a week on Saturday.
He’s been out of action with a broken elbow since taking a spectacular fall at Sandown three weeks ago.