The Grand Sefton is the first handicap chase run over the famous Grand National fences during the jumps season. 13 runners will line up to face the toughest test in racing, and Joe Napier gives his verdict.
Gesskille was a rare justified favourite this time last year, fending off Percussion to win under Henry Brooke.
PERCUSSION
(Laura Morgan/Adam Wedge)
A horse with a superb record over the Grand National fences, Percussion has figures of 3323 over the infamous course, having taken part in both this race and the Becher Chase for the last two seasons. So far he has finished in the frame in every start, but has failed to get his head in front.
His places have come off marks of 133, 130, 128 and 136, and he runs off just 129 today. This was the race he came closest in , when second to Gesskille by just two lengths a year ago, so he possesses an obvious chance, though that struggle to actually win a race extends beyond the National fences, as he has not struck since May 2022. He has a great place chance at least though, so each-way bettors are likely to get at least their money back.
SURE TOUCH
(Olly Murphy/Sean Bowen)
Talk of struggling for victories does not extend to Olly Murphy’s Sure Touch, who has been a winning machine of late. The eight-year-old has won his last four, with his most recent defeat coming almost a year ago, since when he has gone up 22lb in the handicap.
His wins have come at four different courses, on ground ranging from good to heavy and distances between 2m4f-2m7f. The most recent success arrived in Market Rasen’s Summer Plate, though he had to battle more than he had done previously for that victory and is up another 6lb. However, experience over this track is no longer a prerequisite for a horse’s chances, and his progressive profile gives him more than a fair chance.
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It’s a cracking weekend of jumps action on ITV this weekend, and Matty Sutcliffe has studied the cards early to find some of the best prices on four selections across the cards. Published: 10.40am, Wednesday, November 6th (Odds correct at time of writing) 2:05 Aintree – Boylesports Choose Wisely Handicap Chase (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-130)…
Wed 06 Nov 2024FRERO BANBOU
(Venetia Williams/Charlie Deutsch)
You have to go back to January 2022 for the last win in Frero Banbou’s career, but he is another with numerous close calls on his resume, as he has made the frame eight times since then. Last season also saw him take in his first two races over these fences, as he was third in this race, though pulled up in the Topham when last seen.
His form did tail off last season, although he still ran creditably enough at the Cheltenham Festival, while he is also versatile on any surface. His chances perhaps rely more on not getting too far behind in the early stages, as he will stay on, though others look likely winners given his overall profile.
KING TURGEON
(David Pipe/Jack Tudor)
Wind surgery did the trick for King Turgeon, as he returned a completely different horse after a break over the summer. Having mostly plodded away in lesser company last term, he won by ten lengths eased down at Chepstow at the end of October.
That win came recently enough that his 7lb penalty, or 9lb rise given by the handicapper, have effectively been muted, as he would have had to run off 10st 2lb here anyway after his entry. The step back to 2m5f does ring an alarm bell though, as his win came over 3m2f, with his last run over this trip being over 18 months ago.
THE FIELD
A former winner over these fences, Latenightpass ran very well for a long way in the Grand National, only fading over the last. Nevertheless, he gets at least 3m4f, so this trip might be on the sharp side for him in handicap company, for all that he won the Foxhunters’ here in 2022.
Speaking of hunter chases, Gaboriot has been in excellent form in those, though unseated at the Canal Turn in this year’s Aintree edition. Richmond Lake is another with recent National fences experience, catching the eye when running on in the Topham before making a mistake two out. The eight-year-old was in good form early on last season and may bounce back at some point soon – this is a much weaker race than the Topham given the smaller field too.
Ex-Irish Authorized Art made a promising debut for Gary & Josh Moore and could be the type to take to this, while big-name stables also send some intriguing types, with Outlaw Peter a big improver for fences for Paul Nicholls, Idalko Bihoue still unexposed for NIgel Twiston-Davies and Harper’s Brook having switched hands to Dan Skelton.
Only one runner comes across from Ireland here in Galon De Vauzelle, who is 16lb higher than when winning last time, while Vintage Fizz is capable of good form on his day, but is not a regular winner.
VERDICT
An always open contest,a chance is taken on RICHMOND LAKE, who was staying on behind runners in the Topham before making a mess of the second last. He is feasibly treated again on last season;’s best form, which came at the start of that term, and the smaller field and conditions make him a much livelier proposition for this contest than the one back in April. The in-form Sure Touch is feared, while course specialist Percussion will likely go well again, as may Outlaw Peter if belying Paul Nicholls’ runners’ poor form when fresh so far this year.
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