November 11 / 14.45 Aintree

14.45

Heavy

BoyleSports Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £51440
  • 2m 5f 19y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
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BoyleSports Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Scattered showers

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 69-P71 D

Last run: 53 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Had form on heavy in France; beaten a nose in this race last year and also runner-up in the 3m2f Becher here last December, both on good to soft; off the boil afterwards, including in the C&D Topham in April, but he returned from three months off with a narrow win when blinkers replaced cheekpieces at Auteuil (2m6f, very soft) in September, suggesting he is back in the mix.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

4

15th Dec 2023

Soft

3m 5f 56y

Class 2

15:00 Cheltenham

Gesskille

10st 12lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Very effective in cheekpieces but has gone 2-2 since fitted with blinkers, winning a Listed chase in France before enhancing his excellent record over Aintree's Grand National fences with a 2l success in last month's Grand Sefton (2m5f, heavy); the mud is by no means a necessity for him to show his best form and he seems to possess the tools for a test of this nature provided he gets home (unraced beyond 3m2f when keeping on); high on the list.

4/1

1st

5

11th Nov 2023

Heavy

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

14:45 Aintree

Gesskille

11st 7lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Had form on heavy in France; beaten a nose in this race last year and also runner-up in the 3m2f Becher here last December, both on good to soft; off the boil afterwards, including in the C&D Topham in April, but he returned from three months off with a narrow win when blinkers replaced cheekpieces at Auteuil (2m6f, very soft) in September, suggesting he is back in the mix.

11/4

5

20th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 2

19:05 Uttoxeter

Gesskille

11st 6lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

led narrowly, prominent when headed 8th, ridden after 9th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up after 2 out

10/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.40

Form: 3353P- D

Last run: 206 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Won on heavy ground in 2021 but much better form on occasions since on good/good to soft; his third in this race last term (5lb lower today) after a summer break was followed by another good third in the 3m2f Becher over the same fences; ran creditably in one of his three starts elsewhere later last term; interesting back here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

22

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

16:05 Aintree

Percussion

12st 0lb

J: Mr Daniel Cherriman

T: L J Morgan

Will need to step up on his recent hunter chase efforts but he has form figures of 33237 in handicaps over the Grand National fences; a bold show would be no surprise.

20/1

15th

22

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

16:05 Aintree

Percussion

12st 0lb

J: Mr Daniel Cherriman

T: L J Morgan

Will need to step up on his recent hunter chase efforts but he has form figures of 33237 in handicaps over the Grand National fences; a bold show would be no surprise.

20/1

3rd

8

3rd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 60y

Class 5

15:07 Southwell

Percussion

11st 12lb

J: Mr Daniel Cherriman

T: L J Morgan

Close third in similar event at Ludlow (3m) last month; on a long losing spell but won his last two Southwell attempts (spring 2022) and is interesting back here.

4/1

9/1

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 24340-

Last run: 240 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Pretty consistent at about 2m, albeit with last win in January 2022 (heavy); has sometimes shaped as if he would be suited by 2m4f but he weakened right out of contention when trying it at the Cheltenham Festival (14-1) in March when last seen; that leaves him with a big question to answer, despite his good mark and his stable being in good form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Frero Banbou

10st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

10yo who won when upped to an extended 2m7f at Newcastle (good) in November and ran well when 10l second at Kempton (3m, good to soft) next time; however, below par at Doncaster (3m, good) subsequently and pulled up at Cheltenham (3m1f, good to soft) last month; needs to get back on track.

33/1

14

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Frero Banbou

10st 4lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

10yo who won when upped to an extended 2m7f at Newcastle (good) in November and ran well when 10l second at Kempton (3m, good to soft) next time; however, below par at Doncaster (3m, good) subsequently and pulled up at Cheltenham (3m1f, good to soft) last month; needs to get back on track.

33/1

20

11th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Frero Banbou

10st 10lb

J: Ned Fox

T: Venetia Williams

10yo who was below par at Doncaster (3m, good) last time but had previously enjoyed a new lease of life following a step up in trip, winning at Newcastle (2m7f, good) then runner-up at Kempton (3m, good to soft); has a consistent record at Cheltenham and he's an each-way possible if back to form.

50/1

Form: 56307-

Last run: 210 days

W: 11st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Won on heavy as a hurdler (2020); good, running-on third at Cheltenham (2m4f, soft; first-time cheekpieces) in January before never holding a serious hope when upped to 3m1f at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals; 5lb claimer takes over; could still be of interest beyond 2m4f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

17:00 Hexham

Nassalam

11st 12lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: T Ellis

Pulled up/tailed off on all seven starts since winning the Welsh National for the Moore stable in December 2023; it's tricky to assess what he's capable of nowadays but this race is vastly easier than he's used to and if he retains any spark he'll be tough to beat on this stable debut.

3/1

2

31st Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 42y

Class 2

15:42 Sandown

Nassalam

11st 4lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Well suited by soft/heavy ground; landed the 2023 Welsh National off current mark; subsequent form figures (P0PPPP) are dismal but this first run since wind surgery may be the time to bank on a revival and catch him; attractively handicapped, with that in mind.

10/1

Form: /1023- D

Last run: 196 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Second in the Topham over C&D (soft) in April off 4lb lower, coming from right out the back; ran well in a Grade 2 at Sandown in April on final start; probably acts on heavy; one for the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

16th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 2

18:55 Aintree

Fantastic Lady

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Smart mare who ended 2023-24 season in career-best form, winning Sandown Grade 2 (2m6f, good); not much went to plan last term but she was going well until bad jumping error knocked the stuffing out of her in last month's Topham over the big fences here and she remains well handicapped.

4/1

1

16th May 2025

Good

3m 0f 210y

Class 2

18:55 Aintree

Fantastic Lady

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Nicky Henderson

Smart mare who ended 2023-24 season in career-best form, winning Sandown Grade 2 (2m6f, good); not much went to plan last term but she was going well until bad jumping error knocked the stuffing out of her in last month's Topham over the big fences here and she remains well handicapped.

4/1

38

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Fantastic Lady

10st 3lb

T: Nicky Henderson

Pulled up in the 3m2f Kim Muir at Cheltenham last month in first-time cheekpieces, which leaves her stamina beyond 3m unproven, although it was not the trip which accounted for her poor show there (following two solid efforts); second over these fences in the 2023 Topham, sixth in it last year and she's due to have another crack at that race on Friday.

80/1

Form: F43-11 D

Last run: 156 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Not proven on heavy ground; has an excellent record at Uttoxeter, including when resurgent for clearcut front-running wins over 2m5f in May (soft) and June (good) on his last two outings; back up another 7lb and into a much better race but he needs respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

25th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 3

16:43 Cartmel

Yccs Portocervo

12st 0lb

J: Miss Ellie Holder

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Potentially well handicapped but had been hunter chasing before pulling up on his return to handicaps at Market Rasen.

12/1

4

6th Jul 2025

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 3

16:20 Market Rasen

Yccs Portocervo

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

C&D winner last summer off 4lb higher and ran to a fair level when runner-up in a hunter chase in May; likely to run well.

11/2

1

28th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 216y

Class 5

16:48 Newton Abbot

Yccs Portocervo

12st 8lb

J: Miss Ellie Holder

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Won this last season on soft ground; this year's two non-completions came over a trip too short and over the National fences at Aintree; got back on track with a respectable fourth at Ludlow; should go well.

7/4

Form: 2540-4

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Acts on heavy; won two novice chases for Willie Mullins in May/June 2022; started off creditably for Patrick Neville late last year before two backward steps; Kelso run (adrift even before the first fence, finished a remote fourth of six) for new yard five weeks ago may have blown away a few cobwebs and he's down the weights but others bring more solid claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

8th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 4

16:32 Perth

Ganapathi

11st 12lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Sandy Thomson

Runner-up three times in a row in February-April, including in a quite valuable series final at Carlisle (2m4f, good) and when losing out only narrowly to Half Shot at Kelso (2m7f, good); subsequent 22l defeat over C&D came in a stronger race than this; one to consider.

9/1

6th

8

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:17 Perth

Ganapathi

10st 9lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Sandy Thomson

After dropping down the weights he's run really well to finish second on his last three starts (2m4f/2m7f, good/good to soft); edging back up the handicap but every chance he'll be thereabouts once more.

6/1

6th

8

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 3

15:17 Perth

Ganapathi

10st 9lb

J: Jamie Hamilton

T: Sandy Thomson

towards rear

6/1

Form: 216F2-

Last run: 203 days

W: 11st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Twice withdrawn two seasons back when the ground was heavy, but probably acts on soft; broke a blood vessel in March three starts back; had a fine season otherwise and it might have been even better had he not been badly hampered (fell) four out when in contention in the C&D Topham in April; ended with second in the Scottish National; up another 3lb but one to note.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Form: 6-0205

Last run: 39 days

W: 11st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Acts on heavy; ran a cracker to finish 10l sixth in the Grand National here (4m2f, good to soft) in April; second in a five-runner conditions event at Galway (2m6f) in August seems very much the best of his five starts since; the Grand National run puts him in serious calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

3rd Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 193y

13:00 Punchestown

Born By The Sea

11st 4lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Talented on his day but hasn't produced his best for some time; pulled up in his last two starts in point-to-points; can only be watched on his Cross Country debut.

16/1

11th

9

3rd Feb 2025

Soft To Heavy

3m 0f 193y

13:00 Punchestown

Born By The Sea

11st 4lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

Talented on his day but hasn't produced his best for some time; pulled up in his last two starts in point-to-points; can only be watched on his Cross Country debut.

16/1

10th

6

2nd Aug 2024

Good

2m 6f 111y

18:00 Galway

Born By The Sea

11st 4lb

J: Jack G Gilligan

T: Paul John Gilligan

midfield

12/1

Form: 2227-2 D BF

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 5lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Much better since he last ran on heavy in his Irish days (acts on soft); seventh in the Scottish National (4m) in April when running well for a long way from 7lb out of the handicap, rounding off a much improved campaign; better than ever with a narrow defeat at Kelso (3m2f) five weeks ago and he'll be highly competitive again on that evidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 4f 19y

Class 4

15:38 Newcastle

Half Shot

11st 8lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Iain Jardine

Has won four chases, latest at Kelso in April (2m7f, good); mixed form since, including fair third back at Kelso last time (3m2f, good); a possible, though perhaps better at further these days.

11/4

2

30th Oct 2025

Good To Firm

2m 4f 19y

Class 4

15:38 Newcastle

Half Shot

11st 8lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Iain Jardine

Has won four chases, latest at Kelso in April (2m7f, good); mixed form since, including fair third back at Kelso last time (3m2f, good); a possible, though perhaps better at further these days.

11/4

4th

1

17th Sep 2025

Good

2m 5f 133y

Class 4

17:00 Kelso

Half Shot

12st 1lb

J: Brian Hughes

T: Iain Jardine

Captured this prize a year ago and in good form until ridden aggressively when tenth in 2m5f Cartmel handicap chase 23 days ago; it would come as no surprise to see him play a major role here.

9/1

Non-runners

Minella Trump

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £30.70
Straight Forecast £27.79
Tricast £133.88
Trifecta £168.50

Selections

LAMBOURN:

Fantastic Lady

RP RATINGS:

Nassalam

POSTDATA:

Half Shot

Daily Mirror:

Cooper's Cross

SPOTLIGHT:

Gesskille

TOPSPEED:

Percussion

Telegraph:

Fantastic Lady

The Guardian:

Fantastic Lady

D Express:

Nassalam

Daily Record:

Nassalam

The Sun:

Cooper's Cross

Daily Mail:

Gesskille

The Times:

Half Shot

The Star:

Half Shot