April 14 / 13.45 Aintree

13.45

Good To Soft

Air Charter Service Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £67524
  • 3m 0f 210y
  • Class 1
  • 6 runners
RTV
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Air Charter Service Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

4/5 (Won)

  • Win: £1.67
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 1-1112 BF

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 159

Form & Verdict
Made it 3-3 over fences when winning Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown (2m4f, good to soft) in February; despite those wins having come over shorter, he was outpaced in the 3m Brown Advisory at Cheltenham (soft) last month before staying on strongly for short-head second; there's a concern this sharper track may catch him out but he has leading form claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Gerri Colombe

11st 10lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Five Grade 1 wins and runner-up in the 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup; reappearance at Christmas came after 421 days off and this season's form is well short of his best, but second to Grangeclare West at Fairyhouse was a big step back in the right direction and he comfortably obliged at odds-on for latest outing; cheekpieces last three starts; well handicapped on his old form and could be on his way back.

25/1

1st

3

17th Mar 2026

Yielding

3m 2f 50y

15:38 Down Royal

Gerri Colombe

11st 0lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Five Grade 1 wins; runner-up to Galopin Des Champs in the 2024 Gold Cup; defeated at odds-on here in November 2024; absent until pulled up early in the Savills at Christmas; respectable third at Gowran in the Galmoy Hurdle (heavy) in first-time cheekpieces; good effort behind Grangeclare West in the Bobbyjo; gets 7lb from Nick Rockett, race-fitness in his favour

11/10

2nd

6

21st Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 2f 0y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Gerri Colombe

11st 0lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Gordon Elliott

Five-time Grade 1 winner was a runner-up behind Galopin Des Champs in the 2024 Gold Cup; defeated at odds-on at Down Royal in November 2024 and didn't reappear for 421 days when pulled up early in the Savills over Christmas; more promise in his third at Gowran in the Galmoy Hurdle (heavy) in first-time cheekpieces, although 18l behind; back over fences now and this is a key test to see if the ability is still there.

14/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 2-5121

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
Well-beaten second of four to Galia Des Liteaux in Grade 2 novice at Warwick (3m, heavy) in January but took big step forward when bolting up in handicap at Kempton (2m4f, soft) last month; ran well in Listed novice hurdle over 3m last April (on good to soft) so there can be optimism he'll be fine at today's trip, and his top yard has won this four times; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

27th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

3m 6f 130y

Class 1

14:50 Chepstow

Complete Unknown

11st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Highly progressive as a novice chaser last season, ending with an easy handicap win at Kempton (2m4f, soft) and staying-on second in Grade 1 novice at Aintree (3m1f, good to soft); won an intermediate chase on return but made a backward step when favourite for top 3m2f handicap at Newbury on latest outing; of major interest if that can be forgiven.

8/1

10th

8

2nd Dec 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 1

14:50 Newbury

Complete Unknown

10st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

towards rear, hampered 1st

7/1

1st

2

21st Oct 2023

Soft

2m 4f 216y

Class 2

13:40 Newton Abbot

Complete Unknown

11st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

raced in second early, led 2nd, increased tempo 10th, pecked on landing 12th, going best when good jump 4 out, went clear 3 out, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and reduced lead run-in, always doing enough

4/6

7/2

Form: 1-4213

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 155

Form & Verdict
Won Grade 2 novice hurdle (2m4f, yielding) last season and, after winning at Fairyhouse (2m5f, soft) in January on his second chase start, he was a highly creditable third in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham (3m, soft); there is less emphasis on stamina at this track which could help him turn the tables on Gerri Colombe, to whom he lost second in the closing stages last month.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

30th Mar 2025

Good To Yielding

3m 4f 120y

16:05 Downpatrick

Bronn

11st 12lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Thomas Gibney

Very useful for Willie Mullins, notably when placed in 3m1f Grade 1 novice events at Cheltenham and Aintree the season before last; lost form last season and yet to hit form in three runs for current yard, latest when faller in 3m1f Leinter National; 14lb off career-high but remains opposable and one of two runners for the owners.

12/1

2

9th Mar 2025

Soft

3m 0f 174y

16:45 Naas

Bronn

11st 10lb

J: J J Slevin

T: Thomas Gibney

Very useful for Willie Mullins, notably when placed in 3m1f Grade 1 novice event at Cheltenham and Aintree the season before last; lost form last season, pulled up final two outings; tailed off on stable/seasonal debut at Clonmel and pulled up in Grade 3 at Tramore; down 12lb from career-high mark.

20/1

5

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 6f 170y

14:15 Tramore

Bronn

11st 0lb

J: Shane Fitzgerald

T: Thomas Gibney

in touch with leaders, dropped to rear 5 out, slow jump 3 out, soon detached, pulled up 2 out

33/1

Form: 3-1P15 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 146

Form & Verdict
Has come up well short in her two previous Grade 1s when pulled up in the Kauto Star at Kempton (made early mistakes) and soundly beaten in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham; plenty to find with Gerri Colombe and Bronn on that latest form but she wasn't seen to best effect, especially in view of her dominant win in a Grade 2 novice at Warwick (3m, heavy) in January; ran well on good to soft over hurdles; possible player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 2f 19y

Class 3

15:12 Carlisle

Galia Des Liteaux

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Grade 2-winning chaser who ran well to be eighth in the 2024 Grand National; last season ended disappointingly (latterly in the Midlands National when tongue-tie joined regular cheekpieces) but she was second in the 2m4f Listed race on this card before respectable efforts in the Coral Gold Cup and Welsh National (won by Val Dancer); stays this far and the handicapper has given her a chance; interesting.

8/1

5th

2

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 2f 19y

Class 3

15:12 Carlisle

Galia Des Liteaux

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Grade 2-winning chaser who ran well to be eighth in the 2024 Grand National; last season ended disappointingly (latterly in the Midlands National when tongue-tie joined regular cheekpieces) but she was second in the 2m4f Listed race on this card before respectable efforts in the Coral Gold Cup and Welsh National (won by Val Dancer); stays this far and the handicapper has given her a chance; interesting.

8/1

5th

2

2nd Nov 2025

Good

3m 2f 19y

Class 3

15:12 Carlisle

Galia Des Liteaux

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Grade 2-winning chaser who ran well to be eighth in the 2024 Grand National; last season ended disappointingly (latterly in the Midlands National when tongue-tie joined regular cheekpieces) but she was second in the 2m4f Listed race on this card before respectable efforts in the Coral Gold Cup and Welsh National (won by Val Dancer); stays this far and the handicapper has given her a chance; interesting.

8/1

Form: 4-2361 D

Last run: 72 days

W: 11st 7lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 150

Form & Verdict
Contrasting fortunes on first two chase starts in November 2019 and back over fences for first time since when winning four-runner handicap at Ayr (3m, soft) this February; this is much tougher but it was a very pleasing performance last time and he's entitled to respect in view of his classy hurdle form (including his third in 3m Grade 1 here in 2021 on good to soft).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

2

13th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Warwick

Thomas Darby

11st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Olly Murphy

Made his name over hurdles but he's 2-6 over fences and 3m on soft ground is right up his alley; it was quite comfortable when he accounted for Mill Green and Aye Right over C&D in November and a 4lb rise is not the end of the world; he's not your typical veteran chaser being so lightly raced in this discipline.

8/1

1st

2

22nd Nov 2023

Heavy

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:15 Warwick

Thomas Darby

11st 11lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

prominent, led 4th

5/1

Form: 16-F16 BF

Last run: 41 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Very lightly raced 7yo who impressed in four-runner handicap at Lingfield (2m4f, good to soft) in January on second chase start, and he was hampered at the first fence and reportedly unsuited by the track when tailed off at Kelso latest; however, he has plenty to find here even if back to his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

9

26th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 173y

Class 3

15:35 Sandown

Sholokjack

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Fell in two of his four chases last season and confined to hurdles so far this campaign; also prone to mistakes in this discipline and he's not been seeing his races out from 2m4f to 3m.

12/1

6th

4

26th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

13:40 Aintree

Sholokjack

10st 3lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

held up in rear, awkward jump 3rd

7/1

6th

6

9th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 7f 98y

Class 2

12:40 Sandown

Sholokjack

10st 8lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Very lightly raced 7yo; chasing last season, impressing in a four-runner handicap at Lingfield (2m4f, good to soft; has won on soft); jumping issues got the better of him afterwards and he wasn't great over his hurdles either when reappearing in a hot handicap at Haydock two weeks ago (held up, always behind at 33-1); should have come on since that run and is thrown in if judged just on that Lingfield win.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.80
Straight Forecast £6.50
Trifecta £12.50

Selections

RP Ratings:

Gerri Colombe

POSTDATA:

Bronn

WEST COUNTRY:

Complete Unknown

SPOTLIGHT:

Galia Des Liteaux

The Times:

Bronn

TOPSPEED:

Gerri Colombe

Telegraph:

Gerri Colombe

The Guardian:

Gerri Colombe

Daily Mail:

Gerri Colombe

D Express:

Gerri Colombe

Daily Mirror:

Gerri Colombe

The Sun:

Gerri Colombe

Daily Record:

Gerri Colombe

The Star:

Complete Unknown