Who to follow at Aintree and Sandown on Saturday?

One of the big races of the day at Aintree over the Grand National fences sees the Grade Three Becher Handicap Chase over a staying distance.

With such a big field going to post we have two selections in the race and the first is the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained Ballyoptic.

This gelding failed in his hat-trick bid in the Grade One Betfair Chase after winning in a Class 2 Handicap Chase on his seasonal debut and then landing the Grade Two Charlie Hall Chase next time out.

This looks more realistic and has proven staying ability.

Our second selection at a bigger price is Mysteree for trainer Michael Scudamore who has been lightly raced over the last 10 months only racing twice which could play to his strengths with freshness a huge thing in these type of races.

He finished a narrow second on his final start of last season at Newcastle in the four mile Eider Handicap Chase and was then put away for the season.

He made his return at Kelso in October over 3 miles 2 furlongs and landed a nice Class 2 event which looks a perfect prep run for this event.

Colin Tizzard has had a superb start to the season and at Aintree on Saturday he has some of his better horses out on show that we believe will go well.

In the first race of the day he fields Harry Senior and this five year old holds a superb form line entering this contest finishing second in a Class 3 at Exeter last time out with the first, fourth and fifth in that contest since bolting up.

That poses the leading some of the leading form heading into the contest and if seeing off the challenge from Edwardstone he should take this contest.

In the feature race of the day he also holds a big chance with Native River making his return in the Grade Two Many Clouds Chase and we fancy him big style.

Colin Tizzard's superstar although not winning on his three outings last season still ran to a credible standard placing in two of his three events.

He started his season off in the Betfair Chase finishing second to Bristol De Mai with a good first run of the season, he then headed to the king George where he stayed on from way off the pace to grab third with another solid run.

He headed the the Cheltenham festival for his final run of the season in his Gold Cup title defence and in a overly competitive renewal he finished a solid fourth.

Although now nine years of age he still holds plenty of ability and should outstay many of the field he is against having beat them in past seasons.

Harry Cobden is a very likeable jockey that has performed to the highest of standards over the last few seasons and at Sandown on Saturday after already grabbing winner on the Friday he has some more big chances.

The first comes on board the Chris Gordon trained Go Whatever and this horse having raced four times already this season the five year old gelding is well into his season and has won two of his races so far this term placing in another.

He makes the appeal for this contest after landing a fair event at Plumpton last time but the way he was gambled on in the betting makes you think there is more to come from this horse.

His other big chance of the day comes in the Grade One Henry VIII Novices Chase and Grand Sancy for Paul Nicholls looks a big contender.

The five year old gelding is making his chase debut in this Grade One contest which is a bold move from the trainer but from the way he has ran over hurdles if converting that to these obstacles he could be a smart chaser.