17:00 Aintree

Saturday 13 April 2024

All13:2013:5514:3015:0516:0017:0017:35

My Pension Expert Maghull Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 17:00 | Winning time: 4m 0.48s

Djelo³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 148| CD

16/1

Won first 3 chases, including making all in 19f Grade 2 at Ascot in December. Creditable 10 lengths third of 11 to Grey Dawning in Golden Miller at Cheltenham (2½m, soft, 25/1) 30 days ago. Back down in trip.

Form: 111F23

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Etalon^t⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 142| D

9/1

Novice hurdle winner last term who has taken really well to chasing this time round, dominating when making it 3-3 (all 2m handicaps) at Sandown in February. Looks more than capable of making his presence felt at a higher level.

Form: 214-111

Found A Fifty³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 155| D

11/8

Quick to make into a very smart chaser this term, gaining a second success in Racing Post Chase at Leopardstown in December. Creditable 8½ lengths second of 10 to Gaelic Warrior in Arkle at Cheltenham (2m, heavy) 32 days ago. Sets the standard.

Form: 4-12122

Hercule Du Seuil^h,t¹⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 153| D

4/1

Gained an eighth win in his last 11 starts and made it 5-6 over fences when just holding on in 2¼m Punchestown Grade 3 in October. Presumably kept fresh for a spring campaign since. Further progress can't be discounted for his top stable.

Form: 211111

Libberty Hunter³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Cobden| T: Evan Williams| OR: 144| D

33/1

Progressive sort who won 2m handicap chases at Wincanton and Cheltenham around the turn of the year. Improved again when 2¼ lengths second of 16 in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham last month. Can make his mark outside of handicaps.

Form: 15-F112

Master Chewy³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 150| CD

10/1

Much improved since switching to chasing, winning a C&D novice handicap in October and Kempton Grade 2 (2m, good to soft) over Christmas. Running respectably (probably would have finished fourth) when falling 2 out in Arkle at Cheltenham.

Form: 12214F

Matata³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 148| D

14/1

Headstrong sort but it hasn't prevented him making up into a smart novice chaser, albeit his limitations at Grade 1 level were seemingly exposed when 19¼ lengths fourth of 10 to Gaelic Warrior in Arkle, with Found A Fifty just under 11 lengths ahead in second.

Form: 16-1224

Nickle Back^h⁷⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: James Best| T: Mrs S J Humphrey| OR: 150

15/2

Much improved since going chasing, winning handicaps at Warwick/Stratford in the autumn before bagging Grade 1 glory at Sandown in February, beating the reopposing Djelo 7 lengths. Bold-jumping front-runner.

Form: 2-11221

Quilixios³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 147| D

18/1

Smart hurdler. Won maiden/novice chases in Ireland this season but ran no sort of race when down the field in the Arkle at Cheltenham. Others are preferred.

Form: 23/1618

Silent Approach⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny Mullins| T: C O'Keeffe| OR: 140

66/1

Failed to win over hurdles but a revelation over fences, springing a 33/1 surprise in a Cork mares' Grade 2 in December. Creditable third at Punchestown in January but not at best twice since. This looks a step too far.

Form: 311335

Forecasts

Found A Fifty (11/8), Hercule Du Seuil (4/1), Nickle Back (15/2), Etalon (9/1), Master Chewy (10/1), Matata (14/1), Djelo (16/1), Quilixios (18/1), Libberty Hunter (33/1), Silent Approach (66/1)

FOUND A FIFTY has been most consistent in the top 2m novice chases this season and can land a second win at the highest level. The way Etalon jumps should hold him in good stead now stepping outside of handicap company and he's second choice ahead of the prolific Hercule du Seuil.