Ucello Conti each-way value in Becher Chase at Aintree

Well-weighted Ucello Conti the Becher bet

Irish raider Ucello Conti looks decent each-way value in the valuable Becher Handicap Chase over the Grant National fences at Aintree on Saturday (13:35).

The gelding was an eight-time winner in France who posted a series of solid efforts in hot handicaps last season after joining trainer Gordon Elliott.

They included an excellent 1 1/2 length second of 22 to Minella Foru at Leopardstown and a third of 18 to Mr Murphy in the valuable Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park off a rating of 143.

Cracking effort in Grand National

Both those races have thrown-up plenty of subsequent winners and Ucello Conti went on to round off the campaign with a fine sixth of 39 to Rule The Word in the Grand National at this venue off a mark of 149.

He jumped well in the main over the unique fences and held every chance until at the 19th until making a couple of costly errors and weakening to be beaten 37 lengths.

It was a fine effort for an eight-year-old and Ucello Conti is now able to race off a reduced rating of 144.

Nicely treated and yard in flying form

It makes him potentially very well-treated on the pick of his form, especially as he looks the type who should have more to offer this season.