After a miserably wet winter it looks like Britain is in for a sustained dry spell and the ground at quick-drying Kempton Park on Saturday seems likely to be predominately good.

The event was originally known as the National Hunt Handicap Chase, but its title has included the name of a sponsor from the early 1980s. It was backed by Ritz Club from 1981 until 1996, Astec Buzz Shop in 1997 and William Hill between 1998 and 2010. In 2011 the race was run as the Stewart Family Spinal Research Handicap Chase and sponsored. Mr Green: £100 bonus cash + William Hill Slot Machines 200 bonus spins Claim up to £100 on your first bonus + William Hill Slot Machines 200 spins on Starburst at Mr Green when you register. Then claim a great deposit bonus + even more spins!

That means, more than ever, speed rather than stamina will be essential in the 3m Close Brothers Handicap Chase, a race that looks tailor-made for the Tom George-trained Clondaw Castle, who is chalked up at 8-1 by bet365 and William Hill.

The nine-year-old has never run much beyond 2m 4f in his 19 runs under Rules but he’s never been stopping when winning/running over that trip and is certainly bred to stay, being by Oscar out of a Presenting mare. He won his point as a four-year-old, too, by keeping on well to beat the useful Springtown Lake.

When you flick back through previous winners of this race, it’s also clear that proven stamina is anything but essential in this contest. Master Dee (2018), Pilgrim Bay (2017), Opening Batsman (2013) and Nacarat (2009) had never previously run over 3m, while Walt (2019), Theatre Guide (2016) and Bally Legend (2014) had not won over so far.

The flat terrain at the Sunbury venue favours the pace merchants, rather than the grinders, and what’s also apparent is that young legs are favoured. In the past 21 renewals at Kempton (the 2006 running was staged at Sandown) only two horses aged 10 or older have won and one of those was the George-trained Nacarat, who was winning the race for a second time and had few peers at the track.

Clondaw Castle has done little wrong through his career and half-threatened to win the Arkle in 2019 before fading late on. We didn’t see much of him the following season but he signed off with a commanding win over 2m 4f at Warwick and this campaign began with a fine second in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree before being a convincing winner at Newbury.

Since then, he has run as well as could be expected to be placed in Grade Two races won by Mister Fisher, at Cheltenham, and then Master Tommytucker, here at Kempton.

He will meet largely exposed opposition on Saturday off a mark only 3lb higher than at Newbury and the better going will also be in his favour, with six of his eight career wins being achieved on ground that he the word “good” in the going description. In addition, he is a sound jumper who is versatile regards tactics and Jonathan Burke, aboard for his win at Newbury but missing since, has been inked in to ride.

The combination will need some luck in running if the majority of the other 18 entered stand their ground but, all things being equal, he seems sure to run a big race.

George could also be represented by course specialist Double Shuffle but the 11-year-old, also quoted at 8-1, has suffered three previous defeats in this race and his window may have passed.

Cap Du Nord has been in fine form this winter and heads the market at about 5-1 but he’s 19lb higher than when winning at Newbury in November and I thought he was beaten fair and square at Doncaster last time off a 3lb lower mark, albeit he ran another solid race.

If you like Cap Du Nord, then you have to give a second glance to front-running Mellow Ben, who did not finish far behind him in that Newbury event and is now 16lb better off. He subsequently failed to reproduce that running here last time, but he was ridden too aggressively and, unusually, also jumped out to his left.

He's quoted at 16-1 but I’m going to let him slide for the time being because, at this stage, there are several others in the line-up who like to get on with things.

Instead, I will have a small saver on Al Dancer, a second-season chaser who represents Team Twiston-Davies and, like Clondaw Castle, is interesting moving up in trip.

The majority of his form stands close inspection, including his near-miss in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on his penultimate start, and he has the right kind of profile. You do have to forgive him a lamentable run at Cheltenham last time but he has since been off 11 weeks but that was too bad to be true and his record fresh is encouraging.

Last year's first and second, Mister Malarkey and Black Corton, could also line-up. The former is usually more miss than hit, while the latter has yet to spark this term and is not easy to place.

How To Bet £20 on the Close Brothers Handicap Chase

£14 win on Clondaw Castle at 8-1 with bet365 and William Hill

£3 each-way on Al Dancer at 8-1 with William Hill

Previous ante-post selections

£17 win on Notachance at 11-2 with William Hill - WON

£3 win on Achille at 14-1 with Sky Bet and bet365 - 2nd

Cotswold Chase

Bets void - race at Cheltenham abandoned

£5 win and £5 each-way on Lord Du Mesnil at a general 12-1 (quarter the odds) WON

£2.50 each-way on Sojourn at 15-2 with Betfair and Paddy Power (quarter the odds) LOST

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Who will shine over the Grand National fences in the William Hill Becher Handicap Chase (1.30pm) on Saturday? We've put each of the 15 contenders under the spotlight.

There are few better sights in racing than horses jumping the Grand National fences.

Dressed in spruce, these iconic obstacles have become synonymous with some of our sport’s greatest names. Red Rum, Earth Summit, Papillon, Bindaree, Don’t Push It and Tiger Roll all had their own unique stories, but each were united by their heroic exploits at Aintree.

On Saturday, the Becher Chase and the Grand Sefton – both sponsored by William Hill - take centre stage in Merseyside as the famous jumps are used for the first time in a year.

Watch a full replay of last year's Becher Chase

The £120,000 Becher Chase has a classy roll of honour in its own right. Here'a a guide to the 15 contenders, including Walk In The Mill who bids to make history as the first three-time winner of the race.

You can watch the contest live on Racing TV at 1.30pm on Saturday.

1. YALA ENKI

Form over Grand National fences: -- Rating: 159 Odds: 9-1

Looks to have improved again for the switch to Paul Nicholls. There was plenty to like about his latest effort at Cheltenham, when narrowly beaten by Ramses De Teillee. An economical jumper, these fences could play to his strengths, as will the ground with the more rain the better for his chances. However, defying top-weight could be a tough ask.

2. JETT

Form over Grand National fences: -- Rating: 158 Odds:_ 20-1

Earmarked as a Grand National prospect for some time now by his trainer, he had been schooling well over National fences in the build-up to this year’s contest before Covid intervened. He seemed to need his first run back at Punchestown and boasts smart form in Grade One company, but he looks best watched

3. ASO

Form over Grand National fences: -- Rating: 155 Odds: 25-1

An admirable stalwart for his yard. His efforts haveincluded a fine second in the 2019 Ryanair Chase. He shaped with promise on his return to action at Cheltenham in the Paddy Power when top-weight proved too much in testing ground. However, he is prone to the odd mistake and he will need to brush up his jumping.

4. RAMSES DE TEILLEE

Form over Grand National fences: P Rating: 153 Odds: 8-1

A leading player. Long held in high regard by Pipe, he struggled in the 2019 Grand National but wasn’t helped by the rein snapping in that race. He returned to action with a gutsy success over Yala Enki at Cheltenham and a stamina test is sure to suit. If he can prove he takes to these fences he is of interest for a who yard that won this in 2016.

5. KIMBERLITE CANDY

Form over Grand National fences: 2 Rating: 153 Odds: 6-1

The Verdict: watch what our experts made of last year's Becher Chase

Plenty to like about his chances. A fine second in this race last year, he was staying on strongly at the finish and is reported to be in fine fettle by his trainer. A horse who goes well fresh, he went on to land the Classic Chase at Warwick when last seen. Proven over the track and trip, he also will enjoy soft ground and looks to have few chinks in his armour.

6. MINELLACELEBRATION

Form over Grand National fences: 0 Rating: 152 Odds: 16-1

The subject of a bullish report by his trainer this week. He has been revitalised by wind surgery and was very impressive on the Mildmay course at the track in October. Tenth in this race last year, he jumped very well before getting tired from the back of the second-last. Connections feel he is a better horse this year and he could outrun his odds as long as conditions do not become too testing.

7. WALK IN THE MILL

Form over Grand National fences: 141 Rating:Odds: 7-1

Bids for a record third straight win in the Becher. He made a very pleasing return to action at Ascot when finishing in mid-division last month. That will have set him up perfectly for this race. Ground conditions look to be massively in his favour and given his record of 114 over the Grand National fences, he has to be one of the leading players.

8. GIVE ME A COPPER

Form over Grand National fences: -- Rating: 146 Odds: 12-1

Won the Listed Badger Ales Trophy at Wincanton last season. The Grand National is a potential long-term aim for the 10-year-old. He jumps well and looks a likely stayer based on his bet365 Chase fourth in 2019. However, he returns after an injury and a watching brief is advised on this occasion.

9. CALETT MAD

Form over Grand National fences: -- Rating: 142 Odds: 9/1

Fine second in the 2019 Classic Chase at Haydock, having also previously filled the runner-up spot in the Borders National. Stamina is clearly not an issue and, only an eight-year-old, there could still be more improvement. However, he has been off the track for 693 days and it will take a fine performance to overcome such a long lay-off.

10. SMOOTH STEPPER

Form over Grand National fences: -- Rating: 142__ Odds: 20-1

Relished a marathon test when winning the Grand National Trial at Haydock in February. He shaped nicely on his reappearance in a veterans’ event at Sandown. That Haydock success sticks in the mind given it came in testing conditions and how his jumping held up under pressure. He could outrun his odds, but looks booked for a place at best.

11. LE BREUIL

Form over Grand National fences: 7 Rating: 141 Odds: 6-1.

Far from disgraced in this race last year. Held up on that occasion, he made up headway in the home straight to finish seventh. However, there are a couple of caveats. He is prone to being quite slow at his fences and unless ridden prominently, he could also get outpaced. There’s no denying his ability, but others are more persuasive.

12. VIEUX LION ROUGE

Form over Grand National fences: 126796 __ Rating:__ 140 Odds: 16-1

.⁦@DavidPipeRacing⁩ talks with pride to @CorneliusRacing about Vieux Lion Rouge, who has jumped 202 Grand National fences without mishap. The 🦁 seeks another William Hill Becher Chase win on ⁦Saturday. ⁦@AintreeRaces⁩ @TheJockeyClub⁩ ⁦⁦@GBRacing⁩ pic.twitter.com/Fk9Qc2Xvks

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 1, 2020

Bids to become the first horse since Hello Bud to regain his Becher Chase crown. Successful in 2016, he has since finished sixth, seventh, ninth, second, 15th and ninth over these fences. Second in the 2018 running of the Becher, despite running well when fifth on his reappearance, others are preferred despite a dropping handicap mark.

13. JOE FARRELL

Form over Grand National fences: P Rating: 137 Odds: 22-1

A former Scottish Grand National winner, he was pulled up in the 2019 Grand National. His handicap rating continues to plummet and off 137, he is potentially well-treated. However, he was pulled on his latest start at Aintree in October and needs to prove that he still retains his enthusiasm.

14. COO STAR SIVOLA

Form over Grand National fences: -- Rating: 137 Odds: 11-1

Looks up against it. Fifth at Bangor on his return, he is chasing a first win since the 2018 Cheltenham Festival. Success in the Ultima off 142, he is now rated 137, but a revival is required.

15. CALIPSO COLLONGES

Form over Grand National fences: -- Rating: 130 Odds: 33-1

Arguably still unexposed and shaped with plenty of promise when second in the Tommy Whittle. However, he is not a guaranteed stayer and given he has to overcome a 350-day layoff, he looks best watched on his return to action in hugely competitive renewal.

Verdict

William Hill Chase The Ace 2018 Conference

A fascinating edition. Walk In The Mill has plenty in his favour following a satisfactory return and he looks well-placed to chase a record this success in this race. However, Kimberlite Candy caught the eye when second to that rival in last year’s contest. He went on to stamp his class in the Classic Chase and can make a winning return to action. At a bigger price, Minellacelebration has turned a corner since wind surgery and if the ground does not become too testing, he looks a serious each-way player.