13:45 Aintree

Friday 4 April 2025

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 6m 18.11s

Caldwell Potter²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 155

11/4

Reached a smart level over hurdles (Grade 1 winner) for Gordon Elliott. Big money buy after and took a little while to find his feet for new connections but emphatically put everything together when an all-the-way winner of the Golden Miller Novices' Chase at Cheltenham. Jumping looks a real asset.

Form: 11-1321

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Dancing City²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 151| CD

4/1

Leading staying novice hurdler, second of 3 Grade 1 wins gained at this meeting. Picked up where he left off when landing Punchestown maiden chase (23.3f) in December and followed up in Naas Grade 3 with the minimum of fuss a month later. Brushed aside in the Brown Advisory 3 weeks ago.

Form: 31-1116

Handstands⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 157

11/4

Winner of 3 of his 4 starts over hurdles last term and same story over fences, not looking back since falling on chase debut. Travelled well and also found for pressure for latest success in Grade 1 Scilly Isles Chase and he has a lot in his favour with return to 3m also a plus.

Form: 16-F111

Jordans²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 149

11/1

Talented French recruit who won Grade 3 Punchestown novice chase in October. Didn't get far at the same course next time but back on track when a fine second to Impaire Et Passe in a Limerick Grade 1. Fine fifth in the Plate at Cheltenham but does have to prove his stamina for this far.

Form: 5-21U25

Quai De Bourbon²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 148

9/2

Won all 3 starts as a novice hurdler either side of an excellent third behind Better Days Ahead in last season's Martin Pipe. Took well to chasing initially, landing the odds in maiden company at Gowran in January, but jumping failed the test at Cheltenham 3 weeks ago.

Form: 131-31U

The Changing Man^t²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 142

11/1

Race rather fell apart when finally off the mark over fences in 4-runner Grade 2 at Ascot in February. Matched that form when finding only a handicap blot too good in the Ultima 3 weeks ago but that level won't suffice here.

Form: F22212

Don't Rightly Know⁴²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: P Gundry| OR: 144

20/1

Lightly-raced 10-y-o who was consistent rather than progressive over hurdles but this point winner has looked a totally different proposition over fences, finding another jolt of improvement when making all in 5-runner listed contest at Exeter. Not ruled out in receipt of 7 lb.

Form: 222-111

Non-Runners

Stellar Story²³

Weight: 11-7| Age: 8

T: G Elliott J: Danny Gilligan

Forecasts

Caldwell Potter (11/4), Handstands (11/4), Dancing City (4/1), Quai De Bourbon (9/2), Stellar Story (7/1), Jordans (11/1), The Changing Man (11/1), Don't Rightly Know (20/1)

HANDSTANDS has created a superb impression over fences and with this race the target since beating subsequent Arkle winner Jango Baie in the Scilly Isles at Sandown, he has plenty to recommend him with the return to 3m also in his favour. There's potentially a fair amount of pace on but Caldwell Potter is a huge threat if getting into the same rhythm as Cheltenham. Stellar Story completes the shortlist.