14:50 Aintree

Friday 9 April 2021

All13:4514:2014:5015:2516:0516:4017:15

Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:51 | Winning time: 6m 29.31s

Chantry House²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 159

11/8

Has met with defeat just twice under Rules (including when third in last year's Supreme) and took his place at the top table with victory in the Marsh last month. 3m will suit and the one to beat.

Form: 13-1311

Empire Steel⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 140| D

12/1

Hurdles winner who has improved markedly for the switch to chasing this season, completing simple task to make it 2-3 in a Kelso novice (23.4f) in February. More to come but this is a tough ask.

Form: 313-121

Espoir De Romay^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 155

17/2

Useful hurdler who has done even better over fences, doubling chase tally with minimum fuss at Leicester (20f, heavy) last month. Quite possible he's a graded-class novice and good showing expected.

Form: 310-121

Fiddlerontheroof^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 152

15/2

Tolworth winner last term who landed an Exeter maiden chase (19f) in November. Similar form all 4 starts in defeat since, latterly when runner-up behind Monkfish at Cheltenham latest. Each-way claims.

Form: 212222

Shan Blue²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 150

9/2

Landed Grade 1 Kauto Star at Kempton in December before a good second in Scilly Isles behind Sporting John. Chance probably compromised by pressing on too early in the Marsh and better expected here.

Form: 6-11125

Sporting John²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 153

16/1

Multiple hurdles winner who was an impressive winner of Scilly Isles Chase at Sandown in February. Jumping let him down at Cheltenham but he remains with potential, particularly at this trip.

Form: 117-31F

The Big Breakaway²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 148

5/1

Useful hurdler who landed Cheltenham novice (24.3f) on chase debut in November. Runner-up in Kauto Star in December and paid price for putting it up to Monkfish when third at the Festival.

Form: 14-1223

Non-Runners

Silver Hallmark⁷⁶

Weight: 11-4| Age: 7

T: F O'Brien J: James Bowen

Forecasts

Chantry House (11/8), Shan Blue (9/2), The Big Breakaway (5/1), Fiddlerontheroof (15/2), Espoir De Romay (17/2), Empire Steel (12/1), Silver Hallmark (14/1), Sporting John (16/1)

CHANTRY HOUSE has quickly made up into a cracking chaser, a beneficiary of Envoi Allen's early exit from the Marsh but impressive in his own right in drawing clear. He leaves the impression this longer trip will suit and he can land a second Grade 1. Shan Blue if ridden a little more conservatively, Sporting John and Espoir de Romay head the dangers.