Djelo came close to landing yesterday’s Haldon Gold Cup for the column but JPR One got the better of him, so hopefully we get the rub of the green on Aintree Grand Sefton Day.
Yesterday was a tough one for jumps fans, highlighted by the walkover in the three-mile novice chase.
There’s not a magical answer that will solve the problems in national hunt racing, but after days like yesterday, it’s almost worth praying for one to fall into our lap.
Anyway, let’s dive in.
1:08 Wincanton – Beau Balko @ 3/1 with William Hill – 1pt Win
The first chase race of the day from Wincanton has attracted just five runners and I think Beau Balko can win for Paul Nicholls.
Starting with his form, he nearly beat the subsequent Greatwood Hurdle winner Iberico Lord in a Stratford novice hurdle before finishing fifth in a hot renewal of the 2023 Novices’ Championship Final at Sandown.
Those two efforts came in soft conditions, but he has won on good to soft twice before and run well on a fast surface.
He jumps fences nicely and he was a good third at Kempton in March.
That piece of form is one I have an eye on as the winner, Persian War, will win a nice handicap chase this season and the second, Soul Icon, has improved 11lbs since.
Soul Icon also has Graded form with the Grade 1 runner-up Master Chewy and Grade 1 winner Nickle Back.
With a run under his belt for race fitness last month, I’m hoping a step up in trip can encourage improvement. This is also a race Nicholls has won four times before across the last 10 renewals
1:30 Aintree – Wiillaston @ 9/1 with Ladbrokes (3 places) – 1pt EW
Willaston showed enough on his first start of the season to suggest he’s back to his usual self, and he deserves plenty of respect here.
Last season, he beat Bold Endeavour twice, the latter off 126 at Haydock when travelling notably well, who reappears here off a one-pound higher mark.
On that form, he has the beating of him, and other bits of form give him a great chance on Saturday off his workable rating of 126.
In April 2023, he beat Lallygag, who has improved three pounds since after two wins, Supreme Gift, who has improved 10 pounds, and Scarface, a decent novice handicap chaser last season.
His first run of this season came over 2m4f, so this return to three miles will suit and the good ground is also a positive.
2:40 Aintree – Authorized Art @ 20/1 with William Hill (4 places) – 1pt EW
He’s not chucked in, he’s not a well-handicapped horse, and this is his first stab at the Grand National fences, but I think Authorized Art is worth a bet in the Grand Sefton.
Carrying top weight in handicaps like this isn’t an easy task, but it’s only 2m5f and it’s on the better side of good to soft.
He also has previous experience at carrying larger racing weights.
He lobbed around Punchetsown in May when third to the well-handicapped Lets Go Champ and Must Be Obeyed off 11-11 and he was fourth in the 2023 Kerry National with 11-8 on his back.
All the right horses were around him that day, notably Desertmore House, Salvador Ziggy, Foxy Jacks, The Goffer, Chemical Energy, Ain’t That A Shame, Life In The Park, and Hurricane Georgie.
A mark of 153 is on the steep side, but Caoilin Quinn claims a valuable three pounds off his back and better ground works for him nicely,
He beat the now 158-rated Ash Tree Meadow by nine lengths in a Grade 3 novice chase two years ago on good to yielding and he had a rating of 151 when third at Punchestown earlier this year.
After a good pipe opener for his new yard last month when third to Rubaud over hurdles, he has the right profile to go well here.
3:30 Wincanton – Lord Accord @ 4/1 with William Hill – 1pt Win
He’s not a value bet in the Badger Beer, but there’s plenty to like about Lord Accord.
Firstly, he was second in the race two years ago when beaten by the mighty Frodon, and that came off a mark of 136.
Furthermore, he won at Cheltenham off 131 one month previously and he won off 130 in October 2021, so today’s chase mark of 128 had him well-treated.
Furthermore, he’s race-fit after two runs already this season, and he’s one who will appreciate the good ground.
Because of his age, the handicapper only raised him five pounds for his 16-length success last month when he could have brandished him with a much harsher penalty.
All in, he has a solid chance and Neil Mulholland has targetted this race for a while, so he should go close.
