THE Unibet Becher Chase (2.40, Aintree) is the big betting event of the weekend and with significant heavy rain expected throughout Saturday, this could develop into a real slog which should suit the race fit seven-year-old CHECKITOUT.

For a while as a novice, his jumping could best be described as inconsistent. But judged by his round of jumping in the London Gold Cup at Ascot behind Larry, he looks to have found the key to this game.

His light weight should prove to be a massive bonus in what could get pretty deep ground, and the Nigel Twiston-Davies’ trained charge gets the nod over the likes of Mighty Thunder and the well handicapped veteran Le Breuil.

The last named had the perfect warm-up for this contest when running well for a long way over an extended 3m3f at Fontwell first time out, and that should put him spot on for an assignment over the big fences that he has handled so very well in the past.

The feature Many Clouds Chase at 2.05 looks a wide open renewal and of course the impending rains will help that grand old mud lover Native River. However, the bookmakers look as though they have priced him up accordingly, and the value bet against the old boy could come in the form of IMPERIAL AURA.

This former Cheltenham festival winner has been crying out for a step up to a sharp three miles, and his normally sure-footed jumping will be a huge asset over these tough Mildmay fences.

Later on, MARTINHAL (nb), who missed the big handicap hurdle at Haydock Park two weeks ago due to the good ground, can make a mockery of his handicap rating of 132 in the two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle at 3.15 with Tamar Bridge possibly his biggest danger.

The last named could well be worth a saver here, with the form of his Wetherby success and victory over Bass Rock last back end, both being cemented in no uncertain fashion, although to an extent he has been found in the market at around the 7/2 marker.

The big race at Sandown Park is the Grade One Tingle Creek Chase (2.25) with a small but select field headed by the Irish raider Chacun Pour Soi.

The ground will probably be quick enough for the Willie Mullins-trained charge, and there is surely better value to be had by opposing him with Shloer Chase winner NUBE NEGRA.

Second on this card in the Henry VII Novices Chase in 2019, Dan Skelton’s charge was given a peach of a ride by brother Harry at Cheltenham, and his turn of foot could prove decisive up the final climb.

The renewal of that aforementioned novices’ event should see Nube Negra’s stablemate, Third Time Lucki, start a short priced favourite. His fluent fencing will be a massive asset over these fences, especially over the Railway section of the track.

However, at around 11/8 I don’t want to touch him with a barge pole and I shall be having a big bet against the short priced favourite with the massively underrated DO YOUR JOB.

Michael Scudamore’s charge is quite clearly an improved performer on this better ground, despite being effective on deep turf as well.

The selection jumps well and is taken to confirm that form with Edwardstone, who was brought down at the 4th last that day and has since won in clear-cut fashion.

The Coral Welsh Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (1.22) looks set to be run on unseasonable quick ground this year, with Truckers Lodge trying to give weight away all round to its 11 rivals.

The best value each-way play could come in the form of LASKALIN trained by the in form Venetia Williams.

This lightly raced six-year-old is four from nine over the larger obstacles and looked badly in need of the run in a Listed chase at Wetherby on his seasonal debut.

Finally, at the Welsh venue I shall be having some each-way dosh on POINT OF PRINCIPLE in the three-mile handicap hurdle at 12.47 on ground which will suit. He is very well weighted on his Silver Trophy second here earlier in his career.

At Wolverhampton, ONE HART finally gets the chance to revert to six furlongs and looks very nicely handicapped in the 5.30. He has the plum stall in slot number one and gets the nod over the likes of the hat-trick seeking Muscika and Ramiro.

JUST IN TIME takes a marked drop in class when he attempts to defy a mark of 85 in the mile-and-a-half handicap at 7.00 on the Tapeta surface.

He is fully 11lbs lower than for his last success and can successfully give 5lbs away to the Godolphin three-year-old Neptune Seas.

But the best bet of the day could be under the lights in the feature mile and a half handicap due off at 6.00 when the evergreen PIVOINE (nap) can teach his younger rivals a lesson.

The seven-year-old has done most of his winning over a mile-and-a-quarter, but a sharp 12 furlongs could be right up his street, and he simply looks too good to miss off this handicap mark.