Grand Sefton Tips: Horse-by-horse guide to Aintree contest

JOHNNYWHO (Jonjo & A.J. O’Neill)

Hasn’t got many miles on the clock for a horse of his age but does have a touch of class and only just missed out when second in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham in March. Subsequent fifth in the Irish Grand National wasn’t a shabby effort either and, while he’ll need to up his game a bit more to defy top weight this weekend, he’s got a decent record when fresh, likes to get his toe in and ran well over hurdles here a couple of seasons ago. Worth noting he’s engaged in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury at the end of the month.

COLONEL HARRY (Jamie Snowden)

This one has the option of Friday’s Haldon Gold Cup, while he’s also entered for the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in the middle of the month, so not entirely clear how his early-season programme will pan out. This sort of trip on ground with ease in it looks ideal based on last season’s evidence, though, and he’s probably not badly treated off 144 once everything clicks into place as he was a good novice over hurdles and fences.

OUR POWER (Sam Thomas)

Represents one of the shrewdest yards in the country and he’s just crept back down to a manageable mark having not got his head in front since Kempton in February 2023. He showed there’s still plenty of fire in his belly when third in the Scottish National on his final start of last season and while down in trip here, he could really take to the place and put up a bold show under a prominent ride.

WHITE RHINO (Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero)

Not a lot went right for him when seemingly well fancied for the Grimthorpe in March (made mistakes and was hampered), and it later transpired he bled from the nose. Had looked quite a promising novice prior to that, earning a crack at the Grade 1 Kauto Star at Kempton after wins at Ayr and Haydock, so definitely too soon to be writing him off but he’ll need to hit the ground running to defy a mark of 141 first time back this campaign.

SEDDON (John McConnell)

Probably best known for his Plate victory at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival and he’s now running from a 9lb lower mark, one he actually defied when successful over hurdles at Punchestown later that spring. Only wins since then have come on the Flat and he just looks a bit out in the wilderness at present. Big ask when it comes to a possible resurgence at the age of 12 in a race of this nature.

KING TURGEON (David Pipe)

Looked a rising star for the Pipe yard around this time last year, his impressive victory in this event the middle leg of a handicap chase hat-trick. Put in another good effort when third in the Somerset National at Worcester before the wheels came off somewhat deeper into the campaign. He still has scope for further improvement but is 12lb higher than when winning last year and could find something else better treated on this occasion.

MAHONS GLORY (Dylan Cunha)

Shaped nicely despite jumping out to his left on Market Rasen comeback but not seen to best effect in messy two-runner race at Wetherby last month and he’s just got a few questions to answer at the moment, despite being only 1lb higher than when winning at Stratford in March.

EXCELLO (Nicky Henderson)

Two wins and two seconds from eight starts over fences so far and he’s still open to improvement as a six-year-old from a top yard. Went close in a novice hurdle first time back last November and he’s got some experience around here now from the Topham (bad mistake two-out left him with no chance).

JET PLANE (Dan Skelton)

Runner-up in the Foxhunters' over this course in April but unable to reproduce that form at Cheltenham the following month or in a regulation chase at Worcester in September. He looks on a fair mark again, though, and just the type to go well if there’s rain around into the weekend.

FRERO BANBOU (Venetia Williams)

Stable already snared a big prize this month and no great surprise if this 10-year-old is ready to do himself justice first time up for the season. Out of form when last seen but starts out from the same mark as when sixth in this race last year, just 3lb higher than when winning the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle having been reinvented as more of a stayer last winter.

NOCTE VOLATUS (Tom Lacey)

Won a nice pot over fences on his comeback last autumn and backed it up with solid seconds later in the campaign before a disappointing final run at Haydock in February. Reliable sort with a decent strike-rate but might just be a few pounds too high in the weights.

MOUNT TEMPEST (Sophie Leech)

Worcester win in September sandwiched by a couple of non-completions, with quick ground put forward as an excuse for being pulled-up at Chepstow last time. The forecast looks favourable in that regard going into the weekend but he doesn’t have experience of these fences and he’s one to watch at present.

BLEU D’ENFER (Donald McCain)

Set to make his debut for a new yard after winning at Carlisle (first-time cheekpieces) in April when last sighted. A 5lb rise in the weights looks manageable based on that effort and the intermediate trip seems to suit best.

VINTAGE FIZZ (Jedd O’Keeffe)

Current chase mark of 124 is the lowest he’s been for a couple of years but that’s a reflection of some mixed results throughout this calendar year. Could be involved with a repeat of his neck second at Market Rasen in June but that looks far from guaranteed and he’s taking on better-quality rivals here.

GABORIOT (Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero)

Third in this race from a 3lb higher mark on seasonal debut 12 months ago and although he didn’t build on that effort over longer trips, he’s possibly best caught fresh and could run another fine race from a low weight.

HAPPY AND FINE (Alex Hales)

Not seen since being pulled-up at Newton Abbot in April but the handicapper has eased him to his last winning mark which should stand him in good stead. Needs plenty of rain to be seen at his best.

IF NOT FOR DYLAN (Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore)

Ten-year-old who was well-held third on the Mildmay course in a veterans’ contest here last month. Did win for this yard at Newcastle in January but he doesn’t look too well treated at present.

Verdict

Frero Banbou has been called a few names in the past but he turned a bit of a corner when upped in trip last season and returns off the same mark as when sixth in this event 12 months ago. He only weakened late on there and could put up much more of a fight if fully fit and ready to do himself justice.

Stablemates White Rhino and Gaboriot both have plenty going for them if returning at their peak too, while Excello shouldn’t be judged too harshly on the bare form of his Topham run as he performed pretty well for most of the race.

I wouldn’t be in a hurry to rule out Dan Skelton’s Jet Plane either but the one I prefer at this stage is the Sam Thomas-trained OUR POWER at a general 14/1.

His yard is definitely among those to have hit the ground running and while more of a test of stamina might be preferable on paper, he’s a quality handicap chaser on his day and is also 5lb better off with King Turgeon for a three-length defeat Cheltenham last December. There might be one last big payday in this horse and a true test over these fences down in trip should play to his strengths.

Updated at 1500 GMT on 06/11/25

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