15:15 Aintree

Saturday 5 December 2020

All11:4512:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:15

William Hill Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (National Course) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 5m 53.75s

Lord Du Mesnil^p,t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: R Hobson| OR: 152| BF

16/1

Developed into smart staying handicap chaser last season, winning 3 times, and he should be spot on after recent comeback fourth over hurdles at Kelso. Trip is on sharp side so more rain the better.

Form: 11122-4

Might Bite³⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 150| C| D

11/1

Top-notch chaser in his pomp, scond in 2018 Gold Cup. Looked a shadow of his former self last season but more encouraging signs when fifth on return at Ascot. Not ruled out if taking to these fences.

Form: P/UP37-5

Modus²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 150| C| D

15/2

Very smart chaser who defied 16-month absence with ready 8l win in 20f handicap chase here last month. Back up 9 lb and can make mistakes but he's still not taken lightly in current mood.

Form: 0370/6-1

Crievehill⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 149

12/1

Kicked off last term with wins at Wetherby/Haydock but mark suffered and well beaten twice after. Possibly in need of return in Old Roan Chase and sixth in this event back in 2018 so no forlorn hope.

Form: 4/1199-8

Caid Du Lin^p,t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 144

40/1

Sole win last term came in 2m Ludlow handicap in December. Not disgraced after 9 months off when fourth of 7 in 2m Ascot handicap on return but has stamina to prove and others appeal more.

Form: 4P15U-4

Springtown Lake²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 142| D

11/2

Produced a career-best effort to score over 20f at Warwick in February and returned with good second in 20f handicap here last month. Goes well on soft so a player off unchanged mark.

Form: 7P219-2

Sametegal^p,t²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 142| BF

17/2

Veteran has returned in good form, cheekpieces on when third of 10 in 3m handicap chase at Sandown 27 days ago. Also third in this in 2017 off 2 lb higher mark so he's well worth considering.

Form: 8/243-33

Flying Angel^v³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Jordan Nailor⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 140| C| D

12/1

Very capable performer when on song but he showed little when pulled up in 3m Ascot handicap on comeback. Course winner here and also fourth in this race 12 months ago but others are more persuasive.

Form: 41469-P

Dingo Dollar^p⁵⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 140WS

16/1

Useful chaser at his best but winless since 2018 and beat only one over hurdles at Uttoxeter on his return. Since had wind op and cheekpieces back on now so not totally dismissed.

Form: P/355U-0

Pink Eyed Pedro^t³²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: D Brace| OR: 139| D

40/1

Likeable chaser who arrives better than ever, scoring at Chepstow (19.5f) before excellent third in Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter. Much respected nudged up just 1 lb.

Form: 26-0613

Touch Kick³⁰²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: J Kington| T: S G West| OR: 138| BF| D

80/1

Useful chaser at best for Paul Nicholls but not seen out since failing to stay 3m when fourth at Kempton 10 months ago. Sixth in this 12 months ago but needs to hit the ground running for new yard.

Form: 9P/1624-

Senior Citizen³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 134| D

7/1

Has made good start over fences and followed 21f novice win at Newton Abbot with second of 6 at Huntingdon (19.9f) 34 days ago. Not ruled out on handicap bow if he takes to these fences.

Form: 6/214-12

Amalfi Doug²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: Danny McMenamin⁽³⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 134

66/1

Better than ever when gaining fifth victory at Perth in September but fell first at Kelso next time and pulled up in Ayr handicap last time. Has work to do.

Form: 4331FP

Didero Vallis¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 132| D

5/1

Dual winner over fences in 2018 and not disgraced after 10 months off when sixth in 3m Ascot handicap on return. Fifth in this contest 12 months ago off 2 lb higher so big player for in-form yard.

Form: 85/P52-6

Beau Bay^h,t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 131

20/1

Fairly useful chaser who resumed after 9 months off with respectable fifth in Wetherby handicap chase (19.4f) 21 days ago. Third in this event 12 months ago off 2 lb lower mark so firmly in the mix.

Form: U3123-5

Federici^p⁴⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-1| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 127

33/1

Cashed in on a reduced mark at Cartmel in July and resumed winning ways at Carlisle 44 days ago. Has good course form to his name too so veteran is not dismissed.

Form: 15-1301

Swift Crusador²⁸³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: T Scudamore| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 125

16/1

Fairly useful chaser who ended last term with good second in 20f hunter chase at Wincanton 9 months ago. Still quite low mileage so no forlorn hope on comeback despite being 1 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 7134/U2-

Sir Jack Yeats^b⁵⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: James Best| T: R Spencer| OR: 123

33/1

Fairly useful hunter chaser who landed 3m handicap chase at Fakenham 50 days ago, just hold on having been left clear last. Handles these fences but needs more from 3 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 162/2-41

Non-Runners

Huntsman Son³⁶

Weight: 11-8| Age: 10

T: A M Hales J: Kielan Woods

Forecasts

Didero Vallis (5/1), Huntsman Son (5/1), Springtown Lake (11/2), Senior Citizen (7/1), Modus (15/2), Sametegal (17/2), Might Bite (11/1), Flying Angel (12/1), Crievehill (12/1), Lord Du Mesnil (16/1), Swift Crusador (16/1), Dingo Dollar (16/1), Beau Bay (20/1), Sir Jack Yeats (33/1), Federici (33/1), Pink Eyed Pedro (40/1), Caid Du Lin (40/1), Amalfi Doug (66/1), Touch Kick (80/1)

Lots with chances so at the likely odds DIDERO VALLIS is worth siding with to build on his good fifth here 12 months ago off a 2 lb higher mark with his yard firmly among the winners. Huntsman Son made an impressive winning return at Wetherby and this good jumper is fancied to go well too with in-form Springtown Lake and veteran Sametegal also well worth considering in a very open handicap.