*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Hitman heads the weights for the Old Roan Chase as Paul Nicholls bids to become the most successful trainer in the history of the race.
The six-year-old gelding hit the post on two occasions at the top level last term and will be looking to score on his seasonal reappearance to give his handler a fourth victory in the Grade 2 handicap.
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Hitman faces seven rivals in Sunday’s 14:40 at Aintree including this year’s Manifesto Novices’ Chase winner Millers Bank and hat-trick seeker Do Your Job. Beakstown, Captain Tom Cat, Ga Law, Riders Onthe Storm and Solider Of Destiny complete the field.
The latest Old Roan Chase odds are on the Paddy Power website or via our snazzy widgets, otherwise Timeform’s handy guide to the runners and riders plus betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Old Roan Chase runners
Hitman
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden Age: 6 Weight: 11st 12lbs
Very smart chaser who acquitted himself with credit without getting his head infront last term, briefly looking a big threat to Fakir D’oudairies when runner-up in C&D Grade 1 back in April. Not always looked strongest in a finish but he’s a lead player nevertheless on return/following wind op.
*****
Millers Bank
Trainer: Alex Hales Jockey: Kielan Woods Age: 8 Weight: 11st 6lbs
8-y-o who is well served by demands of this track, posting a smart effort when landing Grade 1 Manifesto novices’ chase over C&D in April. Possible that run left its mark when well held over 3m at Punchestown later that month and much better showing anticipated now.
****
Do Your Job
Trainer: Michael Scudamore Jockey: Luca Morgan Age: 8 Weight: 10st 13lbs
Rangy sort who showed useful form over hurdles (second in Grade 1 here) and took form to a new level over fences last season, his jumping faultless as he landed Grade 2 Future Champions’ at Ayr (20.5f) in April. Well worth a second look with good record fresh.
****
Captain Tom Cat
Trainer: Dr Richard Newland Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies Age: 7 Weight: 10st 12lbs
C&D winner who quickly made up in to a pretty smart chaser during 2021, gaining fourth victory in this sphere in small-field Wincanton Grade 2 last November. Fell at Cheltenham later that month but blew cobwebs away with a good second over hurdles at Hexham 23 days ago.
***
Ga Law
Trainer: Jamie Snowden Jockey: Jonathan Burke Age: 6 Weight: 10st 9lbs
Ex-French recruit who rattled off a chase hat-trick during second half of 2020, culminating in Grade 2 success at Wincanton. Fared creditably up in class twice thereafter but there must have been an issue to have kept him off the track since early last year. Handicap debut.
***
Soldier Of Destiny
Trainer: Jamie Snowden Jockey: Gavin Sheehan Age: 6 Weight: 10st 4lbs
Modest form at best in couple of hurdle spins but confirmed himself different proposition over fences last season, having no trouble with quicker ground as he doubled tally at Haydock (19.9f) in March. This understandably tougher but he’s still low-mileage.
***
Riders Onthe Storm
Trainer: Richard Hobson Jockey: Brian Hughes Age: 9 Weight: 10st 3lbs
High-class chaser earlier in career who looked rejuvenated on back of a break/yard switch when second in a C&D handicap last December, jumping soundly. Couldn’t build on that thereafter and not the easiest to assess here.
***
Beakstown
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Harry Skelton Age: 9 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Tricky customer (often finds little) but couldn’t be faulted when finally off the mark over fences in listed handicap at Ayr (20.5f) in April. May of pressed on a shade too soon at Sandown final start but this no easy return from 4 lb out of the weights.
***
Old Roan Chase tips
Timeform: Hard not to see this being run at a good gallop which could well play firmly into the hands of top-weight HITMAN. Paul Nicholls’ 6-y-o hasn’t always looked the stoutest of finishers but it was hard to crab his second behind Fakir d’Oudairies in Grade 1 company here in April and this could well be his day on the back of a wind op. Last year’s Manifesto winner Millers Bank should also find this run to suit and is feared, along with Do Your Job who impressed when scoring at Ayr in the spring.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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