Percussion is set to face 12 rivals in the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase as last year’s runner-up attempts to go one better at Aintree on Saturday.
It is two-and-a-half years and counting since the Laura Morgan-trained gelding got his head in front, but he is 1lb lower in the handicap compared to 12 months ago and has never finished lower than third in four previous runs over the iconic Grand National fences.
Frero Banbou took the bronze medal in last year’s renewal and could prove to be well handicapped off a mark of 130 – 3lbs lower – following a run of poor results.
Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero saddled last year’s winner, the ill-fated Gesskille, and the training duo are represented by the hat-trick seeking Gaboriot, who failed to get further than the 12th fence in the most recent edition of the Foxhunters over course and distance.
Latenightpass won that race two years ago and is back for the first time since running a cracker in April’s Grand National before running out of steam in the closing stages.
Summer Plate winner Sure Touch is bidding to bring up a five-timer and King Turgeon is 2lbs well in after a big victory last month.
Authorized Art, second in last year’s Galway Plate, heads the weights for Saturday’s 14:40 and has race fitness on his side after a decent outing over hurdles on stable debut for Gary & Josh Moore last month.
The latest Grand Sefton Handicap Chase odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Grand Sefton Handicap Chase 2024 verdict
Timeform: This looks really open with LATENIGHTPASS awarded the vote primarily due to his superb record over the National fences with this drop in trip sure to help his cause on return to action. Percussion has been placed in the last 2 renewals of this race so he commands plenty of respect, while a case can also be made for the likes of Frero Banbou, Harper’s Brook and Sure Touch.
*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
Grand Sefton Handicap Chase 2024 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase 2024.
Authorized Art
Trainer: Gary & Josh Moore Jockey: Caoilin Quinn Age: 9 Weight: 12st 0lbs
A smart chaser for Willie Mullins who posted a good third in big-field handicap chase at Punchestown (20.4f) in July. Sound start over hurdles for new yard given 2m was a wholly inadequate test at Kempton and he’s back up in trip returned to the larger obstacles.
***
Latenightpass
Trainer: Tom Ellis Jockey: Miss Gina Andrews Age: 11 Weight: 11st 8lbs
Well proven over the National fences, landing the 2022 Foxhunters, and he added to his haul in Cross Country discipline for Dan Skelton at Cheltenham in December. Completed in the Grand National back with this yard in April, only to fall short on stamina. Has had a wind op and back markedly in trip.
*****
Outlaw Peter
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Freddie Gingell Age: 8 Weight: 11st 5lbs
Ended last season going the right way over fences, landing 2m4f handicaps at Kempton and Ayr in the spring before an excellent second at Sandown. Had a breathing operation ahead of this return and there could be more to come.
***
Sure Touch
Trainer: Olly Murphy Jockey: Sean Bowen Age: 8 Weight: 11st 4lbs
Had a productive 2022 over hurdles, winning 4 times, and further progress over fences last season, completing hat-trick at Perth in April. Picked up where he left off in the Summer Plate at Market Rasen in July, taking his form to a new level so he’s a chaser on the up.
***
Richmond Lake
Trainer: Donald McCain Jockey: Theo Gillard Age: 8 Weight: 11st 3lbs
Had a prolific period in 2023, completing a four-timer in 9-runner handicap chase here in December. Semeed to lose confidence in the jumping department to end the campaign though and these fences provide a stiff test in that regard.
***
Harper’s Brook
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Kielan Woods Age: 8 Weight: 11st 0lbs
Has his quirks but more than fair share of ability too, left clear when successful at Sandown in February. Disappointing in a visor in the Gran Annual on final start for Ben Pauling and fascinating to see what Dan Skelton can do with him this season on the back of a breathing op.
***
Idalko Bihoue
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies Age: 6 Weight: 10st 7lbs
Lost his way a little over hurdles but confirmed himself still a useful prospect over fences when winning novices’ handicap at Cheltenham in October 2023. Shade disappointing both starts since but makes his reappearance with yard going very well.
***
Frero Banbou
Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Charlie Deutsch Age: 9 Weight: 10st 5lbs
Losing run dates back to 2022 but he’s run several fine races in defeat since, including when third in this race a year ago. Hold-up tactics didn’t really suit in the Topham when last seen in April but he’s an interesting contender on reappearance.
****
Percussion
Trainer: L J Morgan Jockey: Adam Wedge Age: 9 Weight: 10st 4lbs
On a lengthy losing run but he ran right up to form when second from out of the weights in the Summer Cup at Uttoxeter in June. Placed in the last 2 renewals of this so these fences clearly suit and he needs considering.
****
Gaboriot
Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Jockey: Henry Brooke Age: 8 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Superb strike rate in recent times, winning 5 times in all (3 hunters and a couple of open handicaps). Reappears on what looks a fair mark and this strong traveller was taking well to the fences before coming unstuck at the Canal Turn previous attempt.
***
Vintage Fizz
Trainer: Jedd O’Keeffe Jockey: Conor O’Farrell Age: 7 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Twice a winner of small-field handicap chases at around 2½m in 2023 and went close at Market Rasen on second start upon return from a break in June. Back on correct mark and returned to form when fourth at Wetherby 3 weeks ago.
**
King Turgeon
Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: Jack Tudor Age: 6 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Had another breathing op and took his form to a whole new level when making a winning reappearance at Chepstow 11 days ago. Carries a penalty and also out of the weights but cannot be taken too lightly.
***
Galon De Vauzelle
Trainer: P. J. Rothwell Jockey: S. D. Torrens Age: 8 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Career best when winning 10-runner handicap chase at Listowel (23.8f, soft) 29 days ago, forging clear. Winter ground is his forte but no easy task here from 4 lb out of the weights.
**
Read More
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- British Jump Trainers’ Championship 2024/25: Who tops the standings?
- British Jump Jockeys’ Championship 2024/25: Who tops the standings?
The Paddy Power Guide To Safer Gambling – Everything You Need To Know
