14:50 Aintree

Friday 13 April 2018

All13:4514:2014:5015:2516:0516:4017:15

Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 14:54 | Winning time: 6m 48.2s

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Selected odds by:

Black Corton^t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 153

6/1

Smart and progressive chaser this season who has exceeded expectations winning eight chases since the summer. Came up short though last time out when given his toughest test so far in the RSA at Cheltenham and this comes at the end of a long season.

Form: 112115

Captain Chaos^b⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 144| CD

25/1

Steps up in class here having won three of his last four chases including one over C&D. Defied a double penalty to score last time but hardly went about his business in an enthusiastic manner and will find this a much harder test.

Form: F-61141

Coo Star Sivola³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Lizzie Kelly| T: Nick Williams| OR: 150| D

7/1

Given some relatively tough tasks early in his chasing career (smart hurdler too) but has gradually found his feet winning the last twice in handicap company. His Festival win was impressive (always in control) and he deserves a return to this level.

Form: 532411

Elegant Escape^p1³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 151

4/1

Has held his form well this year and was the best of the home contingent in the RSA last time taking a creditable third (Black Corton behind). Twice a winner over fences, he looks sure to progress and gets first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 221213

Hogan's Height^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 139

33/1

Completed his hat-trick last time out with a foray back into handicaps having taken two novice chases. A very likeable and solid sort, he displays a good attitude but this is a step up in class and distance and remains to be seen if he's up to it.

Form: 272111

Snow Falcon¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 149

7/1

Smart hurdler who maybe hasn't quite clicked over fences yet but still has time to do so, his only win coming in bloodless fashion over 2m5f. Given tough tasks in his last two starts and failed to get far in the Irish Grand National (unseated 12th).

Form: 8-2315U

Terrefort²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 153| BF

3/1

Sets the standard here on his 2nd in the JLT (gave 7lb to the winner) having taken his previous two races in fine style with one of them being a Grade 1. His previous French form had already marked him as decent and he should continue to progress.

Form: 313112

Testify³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 145

16/1

Made a good start to his chasing career, winning his first three starts only beating seven rivals in doing so over shorter trips. He did show a good attitude but found a large-field handicap a totally different test last time.

Form: 29-1110

Ms Parfois^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: N D Fehily| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 146

9/2

Made a sparkling start to her chasing career winning two Listed mares' chases and finishing runner-up in two Grade 2 events. All those events have been over staying trips (4m last time) but this sound jumper/traveller should cope with this trip.

Form: 311122

Non-Runners

Mia's Storm¹⁰⁸

Weight: 10-11| Age: 8

T: A King J: Wayne Hutchinson

Forecasts

Terrefort (3/1), Elegant Escape (4/1), Ms Parfois (9/2), Mia's Storm (5/1), Black Corton (6/1), Coo Star Sivola (7/1), Snow Falcon (7/1), Testify (16/1), Captain Chaos (25/1), Hogan's Height (33/1)

This race has a good history with the last two winners finishing 1-2 in this year’s Gold Cup. Given the conditions it will take a sound stayer to win this and while Terrefort sets the standard on form he faces some tough staying types here. The two mares are of interest although Mia’s Storm has to bounce back from an absence and a fall; that means MS PARFOIS gets the vote. Despite running over a mile further last time she has proved herself at this trip already in good company. Cheltenham handicap winner Coo Star Sivola makes plenty of appeal as he steps back up in grade.