Alder Hey Aintree Bowl Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:57 | Winning time: 6m 20.94s

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Selected odds by:

Ahoy Senor²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: B S Hughes| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 166| CD

11/4

Cosy winner of the Mildmay Novices' Chase at this meeting last year and back on track after bombing out in the King George when landing the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January. Was going great guns when falling 6 out back there in the Gold Cup last time and claims granted a clear round.

Form: 1-5351F

A Plus Tard^t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 175

10/3

Produced one of the best Gold Cup performances in recent times when landing the Cheltenham Festival showpiece last March. This season hasn't gone to plan but he was travelling well until hampered 6 out when bidding to retain his Gold Cup crown last month and the vibes from his yard have been upbeat.

Form: 2/121-PP

Conflated²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 168

9/2

Notched his second Grade 1 success over fences when landing the Savills at Leopardstown over Christmas. Performed to an even higher standard when third in the Gold Cup last month and while he has a bit to find with Bravemansgame on that evidence, this slightly shorter trip/sharper track will help.

Form: 1F2-313

Ga Law²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Burke| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 153

25/1

Has improved this term after a long absence, finishing third in the Old Roan here prior to landing the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November. By no means disgraced in the Ryanair at the Festival last month and well worth another try at this trip, but he does have plenty to find.

Form: 32/31F5

Shishkin²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 173| BF| C

7/4

Following another wind op and equipped with a tongue strap, he proved that he's still one of the best in the business when landing the 21f Ascot Chase in February. Mistakes proved costly in the Ryanair next time but obvious chance if cutting out the errors upped in trip here. Tongue strap discarded.

Form: 11P-312

Non-Runners

Bravemansgame²⁷

Weight: 11-10| Age: 8

T: P F Nicholls J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Shishkin (7/4), Bravemansgame (5/2), Ahoy Senor (11/4), A Plus Tard (10/3), Conflated (9/2), Ga Law (25/1)

In what promises to be an absorbing renewal of this prestigious contest, A PLUS TARD is taken to emerge on top. Though pulled up both starts so far this season, he appeared to be travelling as well as any before being hampered when Ahoy Senor fell 6 out in the Gold Cup, and his imperious performance in that race last March remains fresh in the memory. Bravemansgame is a big player on the back of his fine Gold Cup second but if Shishkin puts it all together he will be an even bigger threat.