Ramses De Teillee spearheads a two-strong attack for David Pipe on the William Hill Becher Chase at Aintree on Saturday.
The winner of three of his last four starts, including a Grade 3 at Cheltenham last month, the popular grey won a four-year-old maiden at Ballyarthur for Colin Bowe before being bought by Pipe for £55,000 at the Tattersalls Cheltenham.
His latest success has taken his career earnings over the £170,000 mark and the now 153-rated chaser is a leading contender for what will be the first race over the National fences in 12 months.
Runner-up in the 2018 Welsh National, the eight-year-old pulled-up in that season’s Aintree equivalent having contested the race as just a seven-year-old.
Speaking in a call hosted by Great British Racing, David Pipe said: "Tom Scudamore will ride Ramses de Teillee who put up a great performance at Cheltenham the other day.
Ramses de Teillee has also been with us since he was a four-year-old. He has always been a good horse and loves soft ground. He travelled extremely well at Cheltenham the other day and showed a good attitude to win. He has come out of that race in good form.
He ran in the Grand National last year. It does say he didn’t complete. However, at the Canal Turn the second time, he made a bad mistake and one of his reins broke. He did finish the race on one rein, but they said he didn’t complete, but he did.
“We had a discussion with his owners about coming here or the Welsh National. He made mistakes at the third and fourth fence in last year’s Grand National, but he jumped well in the main and we think it warrants having another go. He is a better horse on softer ground, and he will get that at Aintree on Saturday.
Good morning! Ramses De Teillee saying hello %uD83D%uDC4B @DavidPipeRacing pic.twitter.com/iKZOZt8gUM
— Great British Racing (@GBRacing) December 2, 2020
“There are lots of decent horses in there. Going back to Aintree a second time, some horses like it or some remember and don’t like it as much as others. I think Ramses de Teillee will take to it again. He is in great form and if he does take to it, then he must be in with a great chance.
“Because of the softer ground, they won’t go as quick so hopefully he can get in his comfort zone and jump well. He doesn’t need soft ground, but probably over this trip and with soft ground it will definitely help him. He is a classy horse and a strong traveller.
"He had some good form over hurdles, so we are hopeful. Ramses de Teillee is one of the most versatile horses we have. I said to his owners at the start of the season that he is high in the handicap over both hurdles and fences.
"It is going to be a difficult season, but we have to pick up as much prize money as we can. That’s why we went over to France to pick up some prize money and then it went well at Cheltenham.
"It is going to be a difficult season, but we have to pick up as much prize money as we can. That’s why we went over to France to pick up some prize money and then it went well at Cheltenham.
“Tom Scudamore has chosen him and we are hopeful of a good run on Saturday. He has form on better ground too and good to soft ground on Saturday will be fine for him.”
