Co-favourites of three head the betting for BoyleSports Becher Chase

King Turgeon, Chianti Classico and Gaboriot all share favouritism with race sponsor, BoyleSports, ahead of Saturday’s Becher Chase at Aintree.

The Kim Bailey-trained Chianti Classico remains the best backed horse in the race and has been cut into 4/1 co-favourite of three from a price of 10/1 earlier this week. The Cheltenham Festival winning seven-year-old will tackle the National fences for the first time in the Saturday feature.

David Pipe, however, issued a positive update on BoyleSports Grand Sefton winner King Turgeon claiming a second successive win over the famous obstacles when speaking to the Jockey Club.

The Grand National winning trainer said: “King Turgeon put up a fantastic performance in the Grand Sefton and we’re dreaming he can do it again in the Becher.

“There’s a buzz this week in the yard and lots of excitement around Saturday. There’s potential that he can improve again but he’ll have to. He put in a career best last time and will need to do it again on Saturday.”

Speaking of his superstitious nature, Pipe said: “I wasn’t at Aintree when he won the Sefton so I might not want to jinx him by turning up this time!”

Last year’s winner Chambard (12/1) will return to the scene of his biggest career success, with the twelve-year-old bidding to continue trainer Venetia Williams’ red-hot run of form, while Tom Lacey’s Cruz Control has seen significant support and is now just 11/2 from a high of 12/1.

Brian O’Keeffe, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: “We’ve been rewarded with a very strong renewal of the BoyleSports Becher Chase and the market shows how competitive it is. Punters are keeping Cruz Control and the classy Chianti Classico onside in what promises to be a fantastic race.”

BoyleSports Becher Chase — 2:07 Aintree (Saturday)