Grand Sefton Chase tips & runner-by-runner guide to Aintree 2.11

*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

A bumper field of 15 have been declared for the Grand Sefton Chase at Aintree.

It is our first spin of the season over the iconic Grand National fences and the classy Two For Gold, second in this year’s Grade 1 Ascot Chase, heads the weights for Saturday’s 14:11 which means a number of runners are officially out of the handicap.

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Paul Nicholls is bidding to saddle a fourth winner and the Ditcheat handler pitches in the fancied Broken Halo, while last year’s runner-up Senior Citizen is back for another crack at the top prize.

The latest Grand Sefton Chase odds can be found on the Paddy Power website or via our snazzy betting widgets below, otherwise keep on reading for horse-by-horse analysis of the field and betting tips.

Grand Sefton Chase runners

Two For Gold

Trainer: Kim Bailey Jockey: David Bass Age: 9 Weight: 12st 0lbs

Tough and reliable chaser who scored on his return at Doncaster last term. Has twice failed to complete over these fences though.

***

Lifetime Ambition

Trainer: Mrs J. Harrington Jockey: S. F. O’Keeffe Age: 7 Weight: 11st 6lbs

Smart Irish chaser who posted a very good second to Capodanno in Champion Novices’ Chase at Punchestown (3m) when last seen out in April. Tackles these fences for the first time but still merits consideration now going into handicaps.

***

Al Dancer

Trainer: Sam Thomas Jockey: Charlie Deutsch Age: 9 Weight: 10st 13lbs

Smart chaser who signed off for last term with good second in 2m4f handicap at Newbury in April. Has his first try over the National fences but he goes well fresh and is very much one to consider off a handy-looking mark.

*****

Senior Citizen

Trainer: Alan King Jockey: A. P. Heskin Age: 9 Weight: 10st 9lbs

Very useful chaser who has a good record over these fences, runner-up in this event 12 months ago. Must enter calculations on his return with his yard going well.

****

Jacamar

Trainer: Milton Harris Jockey: Jonathan Burke Age: 7 Weight: 10st 6lbs

Dual 2m4f winner last term who returned with creditable fourth of 7 in 3m handicap at Chepstow 28 days ago. Not discounted back in trip on first go over these fences.

***

Spiritofthegames

Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Harry Skelton Age: 10 Weight: 10st 6lbs

Regular in competitive handicaps and signed off last season with a good fifth of 29 in the Topham over C&D in April. Not taken lightly after posting good second at Fakenham 22 days ago. Cheekpieces back on.

***

Broken Halo

Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Lorcan Williams Age: 7 Weight: 10st 6lbs

Low-mileage 7-y-o who made it 2-4 over fences in 3-runner novice chase at Fontwell (21.6f) in March. Yard has good record in this event so he’s not dismissed despite his lack of experience.

***

One True King

Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Kielan Woods Age: 7 Weight: 10st 2lbs

Resumed winning ways back over fences after 5 months off in 5-runner handicap at Market Rasen (21.4f) 42 days ago. Cheekpieces go back on but more is needed off a 4 lb higher mark on first go round here.

Gesskille

Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Jockey: Henry Brooke Age: 6 Weight: 10st 2lbs

Ex-French chaser who made it 3-4 for his current yard in listed chase at Auteuil (21.9f) in June. This is tougher but he shouldn’t be underestimated.

***

The Golden Rebel

Trainer: Ben Case Jockey: Bryan Carver Age: 8 Weight: 10st 2lbs

Not proving easy to catch right and he came in last of 3 in handicap chase at Fontwell (21.6f) 36 days ago. Blinkers on 1st time and others appeal more.

Jack Hackett

Trainer: Ciaran Murphy Jockey: Robert Dunne Age: 8 Weight: 10st 2lbs

Useful Irish chaser who scored at Kilbeggan in June. 17/2, creditable fifth of 10 in handicap there in September but more is required on first run on these shores.

Percussion

Trainer: L J Morgan Jockey: Adam Wedge Age: 7 Weight: 10st 2lbs

Revitalised by cheekpieces/tongue strap when scoring twice at Southwell in the spring but off since turning in a below-par second at Fakenham in May. Work to do from out of the handicap.

***

Cooper’s Cross

Trainer: Stuart Coltherd Jockey: Sean Bowen Age: 7 Weight: 10st 2lbs

Is progressing well and made a winning return from 6 months off in 7-runner handicap chase at Carlisle (20f) 16 days ago, storming clear from last. More needed from out of the weights here but could be up to the task.

***

Al Roc

Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: Tom Scudamore Age: 11 Weight: 10st 2lbs

Being kept very busy this season and posted just respectable efforts to make the frame at Stratford and Chepstow on his last two runs. No show in this last year and up against it again.

Abaya Du Mathan

Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: David Noonan Age: 10 Weight: 10st 2lbs

Another one kept busy by connections and he came in only sixth of 8 in handicap chase at Ffos Las (19.4f) 13 days ago. No show in last year’s Becher and little appeal from out of the weights again.