In form Durrell takes aim at Aintree test with Galia Des Liteaux

Conditional jockey Tristan Durrell will aim to secure a breakthrough victory over the Grand National fences aboard Galia Des Liteaux in the William Hill Half A Mill Becher Handicap Chase at Aintree on Saturday (December 6th).

Durrell, 24, arrives in strong form following his career-highlight win on Dan Skelton’s Panic Attack in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury last weekend. With stable jockey Harry Skelton committed to Sandown Park, Durrell has been handed the ride on the eight-year-old mare for Skelton’s Shelfield Green yard in the £150,000 feature.

Durrell, who previously won the 2024 Coral Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle aboard Jay Jay Reilly, said he is looking forward to tackling the iconic fences once again. He will be aiming to turn experience from a ninth-place finish aboard Marracudja in the 2022 Randox Foxhunters’ Chase into a more successful outcome. Galia Des Liteaux, who finished eighth in last year’s Grand National, is expected to provide a solid platform.

Declared runners for the 2:40pm £150,000 William Hill Half A Mill Becher Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) over 3m 1f 188y on the Grand National Course include:

1. Mr Vango (IRE) – J: Jack Tudor, T: Sara Bradstock

2. Bioluminescence (IRE) – J: Keith Donoghue, T: Gavin Cromwell (IRE)

3. Monbeg Genius (IRE) – J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr., T: Jonjo & A.J. O’Neill

4. Twig – J: Beau Morgan (5), T: Ben Pauling

5. Bill Baxter (IRE) – J: Sam Twiston-Davies, T: Warren Greatrex

6. Roi Mage (FR) – J: James Reveley, T: Patrick Griffin (IRE)

7. White Rhino (IRE) – J: Craig Nichol, T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

8. Galia des Liteaux (FR) – J: Tristan Durrell (3), T: Dan Skelton

9. Mahons Glory (IRE) – J: Dylan Cunha, T: Lee Edwards

10. Excello (FR) – J: James Bowen, T: Nicky Henderson

11. Westerninthepark (IRE) – J: Brian Hughes, T: Olly Murphy

12. Val Dancer (IRE) – J: Charlie Hammond, T: Mel Rowley

13. Gaboriot (FR) – J: Robert Dunne, T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Galia Des Liteaux has dropped 11lbs since her last victory in the Bud Booth Mares’ Chase at Market Rasen in November 2023 and has had a recent run at Carlisle, providing Durrell confidence in her chances. He noted her previous performance over the Grand National fences and her competitive form over three miles and five furlongs as promising indicators for the Becher Chase.

This year’s race is part of the William Hill Half A Mill Randox Grand National bonus series, which offers £500,000 to connections of any horse completing both a qualifying trial and the Randox Grand National in the same season. Eligible races include the William Hill Becher Chase, the William Hill Classic Chase at Warwick, and the William Hill Grand National Trial at Haydock.

Current going for the Grand National Course is good to soft, soft in places, with the Mildmay Course also rated good to soft for chases and hurdles.

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