Horse Power: Frero Banbou to win the Grand Sefton Chase at Aintree
FRERO BANBOU can win the Boylesports Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (2.45pm) at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday afternoon.
Venetia Williams’ eight-year-old can land the feature on Merseyside – the first race run over the Randox Grand National fences of the season. The Williams’ stable generally do well in chases when the ground gets testing and having won the Grand National with Mon Mome in 2009 and the 2015 Grand Sefton with Bennys Mist, she also knows how to succeed over the big Aintree obstacles.
In what looks a very competitive running of the Grand Sefton there are plenty in with chances but it is Frero Banbou who looks to have a lot going for him. The former French-trained gelding appears at his best with some ease in the going and with testing conditions likely underfoot on Merseyside, he should certainly be one horse to relish the deep ground. Frero Banbou has generally been a consistent sort over fences, despite having only won four times over the bigger obstacles with two of those under the care of Gabriel Leenders in France.
He probably paid the price with the handicapper for an impressive win in a two-mile handicap chase at Lingfield in February last year as well a fine third in the Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. He didn’t win last term and was only 12th on his first try at this sort of trip in the Plate Handicap Chase at last year’s Cheltenham Festival. That was his most recent start but he is now down to a workable handicap mark of 135, just a 1lb above that Lingfield success. He still remains progressive as a chaser and is open to plenty of improvement over this 2m5f trip. Providing he takes to the unique Aintree obstacles – and there is no reason to suggest he won’t – then Frero Banbou can return to the winner’s enclosure.
Last year’s runner-up Gesskille – from the Cheshire stable of Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero – enjoys the big Aintree fences and is sure to go close having won on his most recent start at Auteuil in September. While the Nicky Henderson-trained Topham Chase runner-up Fantastic Lady and Yccs Portocevo – from the Grand National-winning stable of Dr Richard Newland – should all go close. But Frero Banbou might be the one to come out on top.
BREWIN'UPASTORM won the BoyleSports Acca Boost On Horse Racing Hurdle (GBB Race) (3.20pm) two years ago and can do so again. Olly Murphy’s 10-year-old may not longer be the force he once was, but facing just two rivals on a track and in conditions he likes he can just come out on top. Both rivals – Dan Skelton’s West Balboa and former Aintree chase winner Millers Bank – could easily triumph, but Brewin’upastorm may have their measure.
Skelton’s course winner REAL STONE can land the Boylesports Money Back 2nd Meeting Handicap Chase (2.10pm). The eight-year-old won over hurdles at Aintree back in October 2020 and did reasonably on his first season chasing last term. He won at Ffos Las over two miles and was second when stepped up to 2m4f at Uttoxeter on his most recent start back in April. He remains open to improvement and back down to the minimum distance can make a winning return to action for the Skelton stable who have done quite well at this meeting in the past.
John Quinn’s IMPERIAL MERLIN can win the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race) (1.35pm). The six-year-old won three of his five starts over hurdles last season, ending his campaign with an excellent handicap victory over Langdale Lane at Ayr back in April. He has handled softer conditions well in the past and providing he is ready to go on his seasonal reappearance may grab another victory.
Dual Grand National-winning trainer Lucinda Russell may take the Boylesports Best Odds Guaranteed Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (1pm) with GIOVINCO. The six-year-old unseated his rider on his chase debut at Carlisle last time. But he was running a big race before his mishap three out. Russell will have done a lot of work since that fall and providing he is over that, he can break his duck over the big obstacles ahead of Nicky Richards’ Universal Folly.
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ JOSH THE BOSS – under Liverpool-born 7lb claimer Jamie Neild – can take the opener at Aintree, the Boylesports Supports Safer Gambling Week EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle (Qualifier) (GBB Race) (12.25pm). The four-year-old made a winning start over obstacles at Warwick last month and he can double up in this 2m4f contest on the Mildmay course.
Scottish-based Russell may also land the finale, the Boylesports Extra Place Races ‘Junior’ National Hunt Flat Race (Category 1 Elimination) (GBB Race) (3.55pm) with debutant I WISH YOU.
On the final day of the Flat season switched to the all-weather at Newcastle from the traditional Doncaster Ed Bethell’s CHILLINGHAM can win the Virgin Bet November Handicap (3.45pm). The four-year-old hasn’t won since his first start of the season at Thirsk, but was fourth stepped up to 1m6f at Royal Ascot and second at Ripon on two of his three starts since. He looks sure to be in the firing line again and can land another success for the Bethell stable that has had a big season, including a first Group One success in the Sprint Cup at Haydock Park in September.
Michael Appleby’s consistent JUAN LES PINS can finally land a deserved victory in the Listed Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Wentworth Stakes (2.05pm) having been placed in several big contests throughout the summer.
The Richard Fahey-trained MONSIEUR KODI can win the Virgin Bet Handicap (3.15pm), having been second at Goodwood last time.
Others who can win at Newcastle are Karl Burke’s course and distance winner LIAMARTY DREAMS in the opener, the Virgin Bet Training Series Final Apprentice Handicap (11.45am); the Bryan Smart-trained GOOD POINT in the Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Nursery (12.50pm); and VEIL OF SHADOWS, from the Charlie Appleby stable, in the Listed Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Irish EBF Gillies Fillies’ Stakes (Fillies’ & Mares’) (1.30pm).
At Wincanton Paul Nicholls’ RUBAUD – who has won his last three starts including on his return to action at Kempton and Ayr last season – can win the Grade Two JenningsBet Elite Hurdle (GBB Race) (3pm).
It could be a good day for the Ditcheat handler at his ‘home’ track of Wincanton. But stable stalwart Frodon may miss out on another victotry in the 62nd Badger Beer Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (2.25pm) with the Lydia Richards-trained CERTAINLY RED looking good each-way value against the likely favourite.
Nicholls may score with KNAPPERS HILL in the Grade Two Boodles ‘Rising Stars’ Novices’ Chase (GBB Race) (1.50pm); course and distance winner MEATLOAF in the opener, the EBF Stallions ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle (12.40pm); and ROMAN ROY in the finale, the Join The Harry Fry Racing Syndicate Open National Hunt Flat Race (Category 2 Elimination) (GBB Race) (4.10pm).
Skelton’s VICKI VALE, following wind surgery in the summer, can return to action with victory in the JenningsBet Richard Barber Memorial Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (3.32pm).
Another course and distance winner, the Philip Hobbs and Johnson White-trained MIDNIGHT MIDGE, can land the Boodles Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (1.15pm).
At Kelso George Bewley’s recent Exeter winner RED HAPPY can go in again in the Paxtons For Kverneland Machinery & Genuine Spares Wishing Well Handicap Chase (2.15pm).
Wright Ones
AINTREE
12.25pm Josh The Boss
1pm Giovinco
1.35pm Imperial Merlin
2.10pm Real Stone
2.45pm Frero Banbou (NAP)
3.20pm Brewin’upastorm
3.55pm I Wish You
NEWCASTLE
11.45am Liamarty Dreams
12.15pm Altmore
12.50pm Good Point
1.30pm Veil Of Shadows
2.05pm Juan Les Pins
2.40pm Lion’s House
3.15pm Monsieur Kodi
3.50pm Chillingham
WINCANTON
12.40pm Meatloaf
1.15pm Midnight Midge
1.50pm Knappers Hill
2.25pm Certainly Red
3pm Rubaud
3.32pm Vicki Vale
4.10pm Roman Roy
KELSO
11.55am Cadell
12.30pm Bollingerandkrug
1.05pm Shoeshine Boy
1.40pm Red Happy
2.15pm De Legislator
2.50pm Ginger Pointe
3.25pm Headscarf Lil
3.55pm Northern Cardinal
CHELMSFORD CITY
5pm Machiavellian Lady
5.30pm Surging Tide
6pm Tribal Star
6.30pm Fiftyshadesofred
7pm Kyle Of Lochalsh
7.30pm Billyjoh
8pm Double Time
8.30pm Cliffs Of Capri
SUNDAY’S NAP: Good Boy Bobby (Sandown 3.25pm)
