The Betway Mildmay Novices’ Chase looks like being one of the races of the jumps season, and Bravemansgame is taken to win the Grade 1 at Aintree on Friday.
Paul Nicholls was frustrated when he had to remove the seven-year-old from his engagement in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham, after a deluge of rain fell on previously watered ground on day two of the Cheltenham Festival.
The race was won in tremendous style by L’Homme Presse, who reopposes, along with dual Grade 2 scorer Ahoy Senor, who was held by the selection at Kempton on Boxing Day and by L’Homme Presse at Prestbury Park.
Bravemansgame has won all four chase starts and comes to Aintree a fresh horse having not run since conceding upwards of 8kg to three rivals in landing a limited handicap at Newbury in mid-February, which he turned into little more than a schooling exercise.
While the exciting L’Homme Presse would welcome any further rain, it does not look likely to come and connections of the Venetia Williams-trained seven-year-old have already stated the sharper Mildmay track may not suit him as much as Cheltenham. Harry Cobden’s mount would therefore appear to have the advantage and is taken to assert his authority in the 5000m contest.
Jonbon has scared off many of his would-be rivals in the Betway Top Novices’ Hurdle.
Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old saw his unbeaten run ended by stablemate Constitution Hill in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, yet Aidan Coleman’s mount can gain a measure of compensation on Merseyside.
This extended 3200m suits and Aintree’s flatter track will play to his high cruising speed. He is a confident choice to regain the winning thread.
It could be a good afternoon for powerful owner JP McManus, who has the likely favourite for the Marsh Chase in Fakir D’oudairies, who won the Ascot Chase last time out and bids for victory in this race for a second successive year. However, preference is for Funambule Sivola, who built on his Game Spirit Chase win at Newbury when running a cracker to finish second to Energumene in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.
He handles most ground conditions, having won on good ground at Doncaster, and the step up in trip to 4000m should not be a problem.
Skytastic has every chance of maintaining his unbeaten record over hurdles in the Cavani Menswear Sefton Novices’ Hurdle. Sam Thomas’ representative has won two bumpers and justified favouritism in both his runs over hurdles, including when scoring in soft ground at Ascot in February.
While this is a major step up in class, his official 134 rating looks on the lenient side and Sam Twiston-Davies’ mount comes to Aintree a fresh horse, unlike some of his rivals who have to overcome their Cheltenham exertions.
Foxy Jacks could spring a surprise in the Randox Topham Handicap Chase for Mouse Morris. The eight-year-old was not beaten far in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas and was going well when making a mistake three out in the Ultima at Cheltenham. On his day, he is very capable, as underlined with a decent runner-up effort in a valuable handicap at Leopardstown in February. Should he take to these Grand National fences, the usually assured jumper would hold as good a chance as any in a hugely competitive affair.
At Fontwell, I See You Well looked primed to follow up his recent Plumpton win in the Watch Off The Fence On Attheraces.com Handicap Chase.
The Seamus Mullins-trained nine-year-old barely turned a hair on his last outing and another 1.5kg may not be enough to stop him striking again.
Minelladestination looks like another winner for Donald McCain in the bet365 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Sedgefield. A debut scorer at Wetherby, she was runner-up to a decent sort in Fringill Dike at Hexham and should be capable of making amends in what looks a good opportunity. – Press Association