April 10 / 14.20 Aintree

14.20

Good To Soft

William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £67524
  • 3m 0f 210y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
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William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 112242

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 153

Form & Verdict
Experienced novice who had already won three chases by October; progress then stalled until he ran a screamer off top weight (ridden by 7lb claimer) when second in the Jack Richards at the Cheltenham Festival (about 2m4f, good; Regent's Stroll third, Jordans Cross eighth) last month; didn't stay 3m on sole attempt but that came on heavy ground and the experiment looks worth another go; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Gold Dancer

11st 7lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Experienced novice who had already won three chases by October; progress then stalled until he ran a screamer off top weight (ridden by 7lb claimer) when second in the Jack Richards at the Cheltenham Festival (about 2m4f, good; Regent's Stroll third, Jordans Cross eighth) last month; didn't stay 3m on sole attempt but that came on heavy ground and the experiment looks worth another go; player.

4/1

2nd

1

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Gold Dancer

11st 12lb

J: Anna McGuinness

T: W P Mullins

Non-stayer over 3m on heavy ground last time; consistent form otherwise this term features two Grade 3 wins and a couple of 8l seconds at Grade 1 level; useful sort but doesn't necessarily look well treated and likely needs improvement to defy top weight in this hot handicap.

28/1

4th

1

8th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 0y

15:50 Navan

Gold Dancer

11st 8lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Smart form in the first half of the season, with a hat-trick featuring two Grade 3 events; no match for the top-class Romeo Coolio when beaten 8l in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse, beaten the same distance by Final Demand at Limerick, form let down by the winner at the DRF; three Irish wins on goodish ground, heavy going is a concern, though won it over hurdles in France.

5/2

9/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 2-3123 BF

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Nephew of Denman; has been a constant work in progress and pretty much lost the plot without a hood when third to Wendigo at Newbury (good to soft) in November; won a match on soft the following month but couldn't contain Miami Magic when second at Cheltenham in January; highly creditable third in the Jack Richards at Cheltenham (also about 2m4f, good; Golden Dancer second, Jordans Cross eighth) last month, however, and now goes up in trip with something deeper possibly lurking inside him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Regents Stroll

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Nephew of Denman; has been a constant work in progress and pretty much lost the plot without a hood when third to Wendigo at Newbury (good to soft) in November; won a match on soft the following month but couldn't contain Miami Magic when second at Cheltenham in January; highly creditable third in the Jack Richards at Cheltenham (also about 2m4f, good; Golden Dancer second, Jordans Cross eighth) last month, however, and now goes up in trip with something deeper possibly lurking inside him.

9/2

3rd

4

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Regents Stroll

11st 5lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Nephew of Denman; unraced on heavy, acts on any other ground; cost £660,000 at a dispersal sale at one point, proved a smart novice hurdler and has picked up C&D experience (latest start) en route to this prize, making him virtually a carbon copy of last year's winner Caldwell Potter for the same connections; has a broadly solid overall record to boot, including form figures of 312 since switched to fences, and likely remains capable of further progress; very strong credentials.

9/2

2nd

11

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 1

13:55 Aintree

Regents Stroll

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Not the easiest to settle and although 2-4 in this sphere he was turned over in an Exeter Listed race (2m, good to soft) in February before finding a soft option at Wincanton; needs improvement for the fitting of a hood but that's not impossible.

5/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: -31413 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
Can take a while to warm up but he impressed when slamming Doyen Quest in December Grade 2 at Sandown (good to soft) and again dispatched that rival at Windsor (also about 3m, soft; first-time cheekpieces) the following month; 25-1 but ran a scorcher, despite little going right, when flying from the rear to grab third in the Grade 1 Brown Advisory (3m1f) at Cheltenham last month; there's potential for a good gallop here, which will suit, and he holds leading claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Salver

11st 7lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Can take a while to warm up but he impressed when slamming Doyen Quest in December Grade 2 at Sandown (good to soft) and again dispatched that rival at Windsor (also about 3m, soft; first-time cheekpieces) the following month; 25-1 but ran a scorcher, despite little going right, when flying from the rear to grab third in the Grade 1 Brown Advisory (3m1f) at Cheltenham last month; there's potential for a good gallop here, which will suit, and he holds leading claims.

4/1

3rd

12

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Salver

11st 7lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Dual Grade 2 winner at about 3m over fences, at Sandown (good to soft) and Windsor (soft) in December/January; jumping again not fluent last time, despite added cheekpieces (retained), and he has his work cut out in this.

40/1

1st

1

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 1

13:20 Windsor

Salver

11st 9lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Very useful over hurdles and comfortably bagged Grade 2 honours at Sandown (3m, good to soft) on second attempt over fences; ran creditably, despite the ground possibly being faster than ideal, in Grade 1 at Kempton since; leading player, provided he takes to first-time headgear.

7/4

Form: 142122 D

Last run: 82 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Tends to lead; scored at 1-50 on his chase debut at Warwick in May and impressed when winning by 10l at Exeter (3m, also good) in November; put in his place by Salver on last two starts (good to soft/soft) but comes here fresh having skipped Cheltenham and any drying of the ground would be in his favour; could get them all at it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 6f 164y

Class 1

14:20 Sandown

Doyen Quest

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Useful novice chaser whose form features second-place finishes in 3m Grade 2 events at Sandown and Windsor; came up rather short in Grade 1 at Aintree last time but looks one of the main contenders returned to this level.

15/8

4th

2

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Doyen Quest

11st 7lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Tends to lead; scored at 1-50 on his chase debut at Warwick in May and impressed when winning by 10l at Exeter (3m, also good) in November; put in his place by Salver on last two starts (good to soft/soft) but comes here fresh having skipped Cheltenham and any drying of the ground would be in his favour; could get them all at it.

14/1

2nd

3

18th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 1

13:20 Windsor

Doyen Quest

11st 7lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Has won on soft but seems ideally suited by faster ground; record of 2-5 since switched to chasing includes a Class 2 win at Exeter (3m) on penultimate start; not disgraced at Sandown latest but was beaten 12l by Salver; 5lb pull looks insufficient in the rematch.

11/2

Form: 3-2463

Last run: 55 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Third in the Grade 1 Sefton at this meeting last year but that wasn't the strongest renewal; promising second of 14 on chase debut at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) in October hasn't been built on and he bled when tailed off in Kempton Grade 1 over Christmas; didn't impress with his jumping in February when last seen and needs to get back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Crest Of Fortune

11st 7lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Anthony Honeyball

Third in the Grade 1 Sefton at this meeting last year but that wasn't the strongest renewal; promising second of 14 on chase debut at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) in October hasn't been built on and he bled when tailed off in Kempton Grade 1 over Christmas; didn't impress with his jumping in February when last seen and needs to get back on track.

40/1

3rd

2

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

13:50 Ascot

Crest Of Fortune

11st 2lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Anthony Honeyball

Perhaps best to forgive his heavy defeat, behind Thomas Mor, at Kempton last time (bled from nose); has largely progressive RPRs otherwise and has Graded form; first chase win is not implausible.

7/2

2nd

1

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 3

13:10 Cheltenham

Crest Of Fortune

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Bumper and two-time novice hurdle winner (2m4f, good to soft/soft) who showed improved form in a first-time tongue-tie when third in Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree (3m, good) in April; tongue-tie absent for chase/seasonal debut but he's one to consider for a yard among the winners.

7/1

Form: -2131F D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 149

Form & Verdict
Just nabbed on his chase debut (good) in October but stayed on strongly to pick up Newbury Grade 2 (also 2m4f, good to soft; Regent's Stroll third, Crest Of Fortune fourth) the following month; outpaced throughout but never stopped trying when third in Kempton Grade 1 (3m, good; Salver fourth, Crest Of Fortune behind) over Christmas and that was also the case until he fell at the last when 6l down in the Brown Advisory (3m1f, good to soft; Salver third) last month; solid claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Wendigo

11st 7lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Jamie Snowden

Just nabbed on his chase debut (good) in October but stayed on strongly to pick up Newbury Grade 2 (also 2m4f, good to soft; Regent's Stroll third, Crest Of Fortune fourth) the following month; outpaced throughout but never stopped trying when third in Kempton Grade 1 (3m, good; Salver fourth, Crest Of Fortune behind) over Christmas and that was also the case until he fell at the last when 6l down in the Brown Advisory (3m1f, good to soft; Salver third) last month; solid claims.

4/1

14

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Wendigo

11st 7lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Jamie Snowden

Fifth in last year's Albert Bartlett here and very smart form over fences, winning Grade 2 at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) in November; easy winner of novice at Ayr (3m, soft) 41 days ago and looks the best of the British hopes, although he may find one or two too good unless he improves again.

8/1

Form: -1F118 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Progressive 6yo who scored on his chase debut here (2m, good) in October; improved at about 2m4f subsequently, looking unlucky when falling at Cheltenham in November before winning his next two, including a fairly valuable event back there in January (soft); disappointing he could not get involved in the Jack Richards at the Cheltenham Festival (Gold Dancer second, Regent's Stroll third) last month but he has often shaped as if this step up in trip will suit; no surprise if he bounces back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Jordans Cross

11st 7lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Progressive 6yo who scored on his chase debut here (2m, good) in October; improved at about 2m4f subsequently, looking unlucky when falling at Cheltenham in November before winning his next two, including a fairly valuable event back there in January (soft); disappointing he could not get involved in the Jack Richards at the Cheltenham Festival (Gold Dancer second, Regent's Stroll third) last month but he has often shaped as if this step up in trip will suit; no surprise if he bounces back.

10/1

8th

10

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Jordans Cross

11st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Has a record of 5-8 overall and 3-4 since switched to chasing; looked a serious threat to stablemate Kdeux Saint Fray when final-fence faller on the Old course here (2m4f) in November; rallied well for a couple of narrow wins since, latest on Trials day in the C&D novice handicap (soft) that has been such a good pointer to this race and indeed this meeting in general; appears very likely to finish strongly and continue his progress; big player.

11/2

1st

4

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 2

12:05 Cheltenham

Jordans Cross

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Arguably unlucky not to be unbeaten over fences, as he looked a serious threat to Kdeux Saint Fray when final-fence faller on the Old course here (2m4f, soft) in November; that tumble is flanked by wins, latest in game fashion at Doncaster (2m3f, good to soft); major contender.

4/1

Form: -33131

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Prominent-racer whose flop over hurdles at this meeting last year can be forgiven; scored on his third start over fences when beating Regent's Stroll by 4l at Cheltenham (about 2m4f, good) in January; jumping left plenty to be desired when third in Sandown Grade 1 later that month, however, and the race he won at Newbury (about 3m, good to soft) last time fell apart; he wasn't always fluent that day either but a clear round puts him on the premises.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:20 Aintree

Miami Magic

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Prominent-racer whose flop over hurdles at this meeting last year can be forgiven; scored on his third start over fences when beating Regent's Stroll by 4l at Cheltenham (about 2m4f, good) in January; jumping left plenty to be desired when third in Sandown Grade 1 later that month, however, and the race he won at Newbury (about 3m, good to soft) last time fell apart; he wasn't always fluent that day either but a clear round puts him on the premises.

5/1

1st

1

27th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:00 Newbury

Miami Magic

11st 8lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Fine on good and soft ground; Grade 1 placed over hurdles and this Cheltenham chase winner did well to finish within 7l of the smart Sixmilebridge in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown (2m4f) as he can jump a lot better than he did that day on soft ground; every chance that he'll be able to give weight and a beating to these, provided he stays this longer trip.

4/6

3rd

2

31st Jan 2026

Soft

2m 4f 15y

Class 1

14:40 Sandown

Miami Magic

11st 7lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Appears to act on soft ground, unraced on heavy; has steadily found his feet since switched to chasing and registered a 4l success at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) most recently; further improvement is possible but certainly needed; has the worst chance on bare ratings.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £20.20
Straight Forecast £20.21
Tricast £58.13
Trifecta £77.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Salver

The Times:

Regent's Stroll

Telegraph:

Miami Magic

POSTDATA:

Wendigo

TOPSPEED:

Gold Dancer

Daily Mail:

Jordans Cross

RP RATINGS:

Salver

Daily Mirror:

Salver

Daily Record:

Salver

The Sun:

Regent's Stroll

The Star:

Regent's Stroll

D Express:

Miami Magic

LAMBOURN:

Wendigo

The Guardian:

Gold Dancer