Becher Chase

I backed Highland Lodge earlier in the week at 14s Fattie.


EXCITEMENT is already building at James Moffatt’s Pit Farm Stables as Highland Lodge prepares to return to his favourite track.

Moffatt’s 11-year-old is readying himself for a shot at a second Becher Chase triumph over the world-famous Grand National fences at Aintree.

Winner of the race in 2015, and a close second to Vieux Lion Rouge in 2016 – a horse also back in contention this time – Highland Lodge will go for victory once again in Liverpool on Saturday, December 9.

His handler, working with new owners Cheveley Park Stud after they bought the horse just before his tilt at the Grand National in April, has been thrilled with the preparations at his Cartmel base, and is confident another top-four finish is the minimum he will achieve.

He's doing really, really well. His work has been every single bit as good as last year – if not better JAMES MOFFATT
“I can’t wait,” said Moffatt as he counts down the days to the race. “He’s doing really, really well. His work has been every single bit as good as last year – if not better. I’m not ever suggesting that an 11-year-old is improving, however the way he is working, he is working better than ever. I’m very much looking forward to it.


“This year, the Becher Chase is his Derby. I’ll speak to Cheveley Park Stud about what the plan would be after, and whether we went again for the National, or we possibly went for the big amateur race at Aintree over the same fences, that might be a possibility. But the Becher Chase is all-encompassing now, that’s all we’re thinking about.

“His work is fantastic, he’s just as good as last year, and I can say with some confidence that I can’t see him out of the first four. I don’t care what’s in it, he’ll be in the first four.

“I don’t like making predictions like that, but he’s just so well, he’s so right in himself. Mileage is the thing that affects horses, nothing else, and he’s got no miles on the clock, he’s trained for one race.

“As you can probably tell, we’re really looking forward to it.”

While a second run in the Grand National is a possibility, Moffatt does not want to downplay the merits of the Becher itself.


Unseasonably hot weather in April meant the National was not to be for Highland Lodge this year, as jockey Henry Brooke pulled him up close to the end of the race as he fell back among the field.

But rather than think over what might have been and what could be come next spring, the trainer is steadfastly focused on what lies just ahead.

“I wish the Grand National was on in December!” Moffatt laughed.

“But it’s a race in itself, the Becher. It’s a massive race, where we can really savour it. To line up for three Bechers is quite amazing – and it will be the horse’s fourth Becher, which is quite something, because he ran in the Becher for Emma Lavelle.

“He’s been trained for the race, we did the same last year, and his work has probably been even better for this year.


“There is very stiff gallop with the hill here, and he is tanking up the hill now. Even last year wasn’t as good as this year.

“If we take the same game to the table as we did last year, I’m confident.

“It’s not the horses you know will be going for it, the usual suspects, the horses to be worried about are the young, improving horses who take to it. But I would rather have a horse at this point in time who is tried and tested, who you know will be suited to the National fences, and who you know will go there and be suited to the conditions, rather than a horse that you never know about, because you don’t know until they do it if they will take to the National fences. I would rather have those guarantees around me.

“Fair enough if we get beat by a young, improving horse, but I think the ones you know are going to go for it, I don’t think they hold many fears for us – given a clear round and all those things. It’s very exciting.”

Blaklion is potentially the best handicapped horse in training through BDM. He might as well win this as the handicapper will clobber him anyway.

Backed Highland Lodge for the Becher last year. Thought he'd won as I cheered from the grandstand but Vieux Lion Rouge just nabbed him. This is Lodge's National. Doesn't get the trip in the "big one"

11/4 Blaklion now anyway, so my 13/2 looking good!

I will be  going tomorrow as well woodmanchester.  Exactly the same as you I thought Highland Lodge had it won last year. 

You are sitting nicely with you bet, have a great day.

Im on Goodtoknow at 33-1 so you can rule that one out!

Goodtoknow @ 16/1 for me.

Westerner point and Highland lodge for me.

A small bit on both tonight and will go in on one of them tomorrow. 

If R Mclernon wasnt riding rogue angel i would have been very interested but ive never backed one of his that ive looked back and felt i was happy with the ride.

Might sound a silly thing to say but will the Twiston-Davies team really want to win this despite the £80k first prize. Protect the mark for the national and finish 4th or 5th today.

Viva Steve will be 100% ready

Ground looks terrible

This going to take some winning that’s for sure

13/2 Blaklion copybook over the National fences and 15/8 Definitly Red never touched a twig

Great day out despite the weather but too warm really inside stand. Just went on the outside on the balcony, directly opposite the winning line, race by race

See the 'aftertiming'thread.

Hee hee, just fishing. I'm very happy anyway but thanks

I'm assuming Harry was referring to your Definitely Red bet - you'll have to ask him.