188Bet Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (National Course)

The Coltherd family have an association with the Aintree National fences through shock 100/1 2013 Foxhunters winner Tartan Snow (also runner up in 2014), and their Captain Redbeard looks a likely contender. He finished 3¾L behind the runner up Arctic Gold when the pair were both beaten by the classy Cyrus Darius at Ayr last month, but with more experience as a chaser than the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained runner, he looks the preferred option here. Ultragold has tackled a couple of decent handicaps since winning the Topham over C&D in April, and he must enter calculations despite a 5lb higher mark and softer ground, whilst the classy Sametegal heads the weights for a good reason. However, others also have claims, including the hardy three-miler Rathlin Rose and the prominent racing GAS LINE BOY. The selection comes here in preference to the Becher Chase (held an entry), and that looks a wise move, as this is a weaker contest, and the 2m5f trip looks much more suitable. He held every chance when falling on his reappearance on the Mildmay Course here last month, but was a fine fifth to One For Arthur in the 2017 Grand National, so has proved he can safely negotiate these obstacles, and competes from a very fair handicap mark of 142.

1. Gas Line Boy
2. Captain Redbeard
3. Rathlin Rose