Totepool Grand Sefton Chase (National Fences)

12.35 Aintree
totepool Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (National Course) (Class 2) (5YO plus)
Winner £37,176

Pick: Frankie Figg (each/way)

Always Waining: Good runs are few and far between (has won 5 out of 30 chase starts) but very capable on his day, as he proved when romping home in last season’s Topham off 9lbs lower mark; Well beaten both starts this term but if he’s on going day, will run a big race.

Moon Over Miami: Talented (once beat Big Buck’s over fences; 2nd in Grand Annual Chase) and won last time out despite consenting to run on only late; is inconsistent however, and these fences will really test him.

Magic Sky: Good second last time out in a Verterans’ Chase but has lot of weight and doesn’t seem well treated; In fine heart last term but needs to improve and mark seems stiff enough to stop him.

Dashing George: Has a good mark based on the pick of his form in Ireland, a front running second in the Munster National; That did come off a 2lbs lower mark and while he shaped well over hurdles for a long way, still question marks over attitude; Chance if taking to fences.

Frankie Figg: Last win came over this track when romping home by 8 lengths off 6lbs lower mark; Was in process of running huge race (booked for place at least) when unseating in Topham 2 from home; Looked like something amiss last time but obviously fine if he races here; Off same mark today and if getting round, huge chance.

Victoria’s Groom: Hasn’t risen from mark for his 20 length rout of Cool Roxy but has been pulled up in Byrne Group Plate & Tom Wragg Trophy since and hardly looked like winner of this race when chasing home Ursis at Market Rasen a week ago; Chance if taking to it but lot more needed.

Private Be: Ran 2 great races in January off similar marks, coming second to Can’t Buy Time and The Sawyer in the space of a month; Has run respectably since and in with a chance in open race, although this might be a very tough test for him.

Battlefront: Was in great form earlier this year, bagging a couple of 2m handicaps at Punchestown and repeated the trick at Punchestown festival with wide margin romp; Hasn’t gone with any zest since and without blinkers.

Nikola: Slowly dropping towards very lenient mark for horse with useful form but seems badly exposed and moody display last time out.
Stormin Exit: Took well to fences last term, winning at Newcastle in January and Ayr in April, landing a particularly good end of season event on latter event; Can improve again and yard has fantastic record in this event (won this in 2007 and 2008; also third 12 months ago)so one of major players.

Double Dizzy: Very useful on his best, running the classy Duc De Regniere to 2 and half lengths off level weights, and hadn’t been fully tested when falling in Irish National; Has looked moody on both starts this season though, and avoided on that basis.

Presentandcorrect: Comes here with series of good runs to his name (only been out of first four in his last six starts) and ran good race in competitive enough event last time over a trip which was too far for him; Jumps soundly and can make his presence felt for in – from yard.

Et Maintentant: Bold front jumper who showed what he’s all about when winning by 5 lengths at Carlisle in April (soft ground, 2 miles); That was off 9lbs lower mark and while he ran well, he looks badly treated even allowing for the fact he could like it around here.

Commemoration Day: Much more miss than hit last season, failing to win after landing a Carlisle Handicap Chase despite only going up 5lbs for that; Tailed off in Topham and will need to do a lot better here.

Craiglands: Nicely weighted having proven liking for this tack and these fences (5lbs lower than when third in this last year), and second to Frankie Figg over 2 miles before that; Been woefully out of form since although he did have stiff mark.

Lampion Du Bost: Cantered home in this by 8 lengths when spring 66/1-surprise in this in 2007 off 5 lb lower mark, but must have had big problems to have been absent over 1000 days since.

VERDICT: A typically wide-open renewal of the Grand Sefton. If FRANKIE FIGG can get round, he must have a huge shout, as he was booked for a place when unseating in the Topham and has the same mark for today. His Wetherby reappearance effort was hardly inspiring but that will have blown away any cobwebs and today could be his day. Stormin Exit was progressive last season and rates the main threat for a yard has fantastic record in this event (won this in 2007 and 2008; also third 12 months ago) while Presentandcorrect should go well for the Twiston-Davies team; Craiglands can’t be discounted off his low mark even if his is out of form. Private Be is also quite well treated on his best form and he could be in the shake-up.