O'Grady hoping Unoccupied gets Becher run

Trainer Eoghan O'Grady is keen to run Unoccupied in the Betfred Becher Chase at Aintree if the eight-year-old can line up off his proper mark.

Unoccupied, who made a pleasing reappearance when third in the Cork Grand National earlier this month, is among 47 entries for the three-and-a-quarter mile handicap over the famous fences on December 6.

"The horse is in very good form. We'll look at the entries first and see. I'm not sure if our horse will get in the handicap," said the Mallow handler.

"Unoccupied horse is rated 124 in Ireland, he might get 4lb or 5lb more in England.

"He ran a nice race the other day and I'd like to run him if he can get into the handicap proper.

"We'll have to wait and see. We'll see what the top-rated horse is and make a decision."

Another of the six Irish-trained possibles is Goonyella following his second over hurdles at Punchestown on Sunday.

"All being well, Goonyella will go to Aintree for the Betfred Becher Chase," said his trainer Jim Dreaper.

"He is fine after his run at Punchestown. Obviously, two miles and six furlongs is too sharp for him and he just got outpaced, but he stayed on well enough and it was a good pipe opener.

"He needs three miles plus or even four miles plus if we can find it. We think he is the sort who will take the fences at Aintree. We would love to go for the Grand National but only if he takes to it.

"All the big long distance handicaps suit him. The three and a quarter miles in the Becher will be OK as long as the ground is soft.

"Ideally, it's probably not far enough but we are more interested in having a look at the fences with a view to coming back for the Crabbie's Grand National."

Last year's winner Chance Du Roy could go again for trainer Philip Hobbs, while the third and fourth home, Sue Smith's Mr Moonshine and the Peter Bowen-trained Ballybough Gorta, have also been given entries.

Bowen also has Al Co, winner of this year's Scottish Grand National.

Others in the list include Grand National fifth Rocky Creek from the Paul Nicholls stable, Monbeg Dude, trained by Michael Scudamore, and Harry Fry's Mendip Express.