Aintree 2014 - Mildmay Novices'

2.30 Aintree

Betfred Mobile Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1)  (5YO plus)

Winner £50,643 - 6 run

Advice: 1 pt win Holywell (7/2 general)

Don Cossack: Chasing always likely to be his game and has performed with credit this season, good winner of Drinmore Chase although he appeared outstayed in PJ Moriarty over 2m6f; Going nicely when falling in the RSA latest and can’t be discounted as that form represented well but slight stamina worry even around this track.

Holywell: Classy hurdler once stepped upto 3m, landing Pertemps final and then second in Grade 1 stayers here and improved markedly for same over fences, travelling smoothly and finding plenty to stretch clear in 3m handicap on first day of festival when blinkers did the trick; Possible that, like last year, he can improve once again here and while he would need to do so had only handful of runs under ideal conditions; Can go well.

Just a Par: Once second to Many Clouds at Cheltenham; Looked a serious staying prospect when drawing well clear on second start but presumably wrong over Christmas and nothing to offer in straight at Cheltenham; Hard to recommend today although sure he can show better.

Many Clouds: Always a chaser in the making and after couple of reverses on first two starts, better when second to O’Faolins Boy when weight may have played it’s part; Bought down by Don Cossack when going well in the RSA at the sixth last when winner that day but way he won suggests that he may well have been involved and interesting here.

O’Faolins Boy: Scoped badly on second chase start but no mistakes when jumping rivals (Many Clouds, giving 4lbs, included) silly at Ascot and then showed his class when taking RSA at Cheltenham latest, when race didn’t exactly go to plan but he found enough at the end to shade verdict; Obvious chance here of following up.

Wonderful Charm: Only run at 3m was well beaten eighth in last year’s World Hurdle but a much improved chaser and after hat-trick, gave 8lbs, a start, but not a beating to Oscar Whisky at Cheltenham; Tapped for pace when coming from behind or late proved difficult in 2m4f Grade 1 there but today’s 3m what he’s been crying out for.

VERDICT: A fascinating contest, short on quantity but very high on quality. 5 of the 6, who all ran at the Festival, can be given a realistic chance, with O’Falolins Boy’s RSA win setting the standard for all that Wonderful Charm should be much improved for this step up in trip (and second run of the year) and Many Clouds should go well if staying upright. HOLYWELL’S handicap win isn’t as strong from a form basis but the same could have been said of him over hurdles before a Grade 1 second at this meeting last year and in blinkers over fences for the second time, he looks capable of being involved.