14:20 Aintree

Friday 10 April 2026

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

William Hill Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

5YO plus | Class 1 | 3m 210y | 8 Runners | Turf

Crest Of Fortune^t⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: R P McLernon| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 135

50/1

Useful novice hurdler last season, including third in 3m Grade 1 at this meeting. Matched that form in defeat first 2 starts over fences but reportedly amiss in Kauto Star at Kempton on Boxing Day (bled) and latest Ascot run hardly brimming with promise with a view to this assignment.

Form: 13-2463

Doyen Quest⁸²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 144| D

12/1

Useful hurdler who ran his best race when jumping boldly to score at Exeter in November. Might have pressed on too soon when 12 lengths second of 4 to Salver in Grade 2 at Sandown and while he got closer to that rival at Windsor, he has his work cut out again.

Form: 142122

Gold Dancer^t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 153

10/3

Completed a hat-trick in Grade 3 at Tipperary in October. Runner-up in a brace of Grade 1s after and ran a cracker switched to a handicap when second in Golden Miller Novices' Chase at Cheltenham. Has to conclusively prove he stays 3m+ but he's bang there on form.

Form: 112242

Jordans Cross^t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 140| C

10/1

Irish point winner was quick to switch to fences and he looked an exciting prospect when going 3-4 in Timeform Novices' Handicap at Cheltenham in January. That race typically worked out well and it's easy enough to excuse effort in the Golden Miller Novices' Chase. Looks ready for 3m+.

Form: 2-1F118

Miami Magic⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Hammond| T: S Edmunds| OR: 145

9/2

Useful novice hurdler and already better over fences, excellent third of 4 in Scilly Isles at Sandown flanked by a brace of victories in 5-runner novice events (defeating Regent's Stroll on first occasion). Stamina looks his forte and he has a bigger effort in him.

Form: 7-33131

Regent's Stroll^h²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 145| BF

4/1

Well regarded and talented bumper performer who was collared close home in Grade 1 at this meeting a year ago. Won a match on second chase start in December and again jumped well when third in the Golden Miller Novices' Chase at Cheltenham. Keen-going front runner but should get easy 25f.

Form: 12-3123

Salver^p³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore| OR: 152

7/2

Smart hurdler and similar standard over fences, winning 3m Grade 2s at Sandown and Windsor this winter, beating Doyen Quest on each occasion. Stuck to it really well when 3 lengths third of 14 to Kitzbuhel in Brown Advisory Novices' Chase a month ago and that is just about the best form on offer.

Form: 2-31413

Wendigo³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 149

9/2

Wasted little time surpassing his hurdles form over fences, winning novices at Newbury (2½m Grade 2) in November and Ayr (3m, heavy) in January. Good third to Kitzbuhel in Kauto Star at Kempton in between and would have finished close to Salver had he completed in Brown Advisory Novices' Chase.

Form: 5-2131F

Forecasts

Salver (7/2), Gold Dancer (4/1), Wendigo (4/1), Regent's Stroll (9/2), Miami Magic (5/1), Jordans Cross (10/1), Doyen Quest (12/1), Crest Of Fortune (33/1)

A Grade 1 with an open feel to it but SALVER has the right blend of stamina for 25f coupled with the class to win a novice at this level so he looks the answer on the back of an excellent staying-on third in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham. Gold Dancer arrives on the back of a smart performance in the Golden Miller Novices' Chase but he could be vulnerable late on, so Jordans Cross is offered as the chief threat at longer odds.