ONE of the great spectacles of the sport is back on Saturday as the big Aintree fences come to town.
The Becher Chase is the highlight of a stunning card from Liverpool's premier track.
As ever, this is a blindingly competitive race.
Mulcahys Hill is a more than worthy favourite after taking the scalp of Wholestone at Cheltenham last time, a horse who has since gone on to frank the form.
That was Warren Greatrex's contender's first victory since a 2017 bumper and it's possible he's turned a corner now.
He stays very well and is a solid jumper, assets vital for this test, and clearly has claims off what still looks a decent mark.
One For Arthur loves these fences and shows no sign of losing his spark despite getting on in years.
Veterans have a fine record in this race and he has a big chance if coming on for his return at Kelso.
Sue Smith has finally started to get on the scoreboard and her Vintage Clouds isn't without a chance despite not having had any experience of these fences before.
He's another who has an abundance of stamina, though it would have been nice to see a little more spark on his reappearance last month.
Walk In The Mill won this contest in fine style last year and is only 4lb higher now, so clearly has a massive chance of following up.
First-time cheekpieces are a bit of a surprise but everything else is in his favour, for all that no horse has ever won two Bechers on the trot.
Vieux Lion Rouge is another former winner of this who has claims for a resurgent David Pipe, but this could be best left to MYSTEREE.
It's probably fair to say it's unlikely he's found a jolt of improvement aged 11, but his return victory at Kelso when he had plenty of these behind was a career best.
The handicapper's raised him 5lb but that wouldn't have stopped him that day and as a very strong stayer at the top of his game (second in last year's Eider), he could be a tough nut to crack.
Michael Scudamore does well with his staying chasers and this fellow could be still be fairly treated.
Class act Alpha Des Obeaux is worthy of respect under the champion jockey, as is Ballydine for early-season maestro Charlie Longsdon.
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