April 11 / 12.45 Aintree

12.45

Good To Soft

Hallgarten & Novum Wines Maghull Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £67524
  • 1m 7f 176y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
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Hallgarten & Novum Wines Maghull Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

40/1 (Won)

  • Win: £82.70
  • Place: £7.00

Form: 813U22 D BF

Last run: 45 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Made all in beginners' chase at Exeter (2m1f, good to soft) in December; has run creditably in two 2m Grade 2 events since but he was beaten at 1-4 at Bangor on his latest outing; bottom of the pile on ratings and hard to fancy.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

25th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 99y

Class 1

14:55 Sandown

Mirabad

11st 10lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Belied his 50-1 odds with 6l success in Grade 1 novice chase at Aintree (2m, good to soft) two weeks ago; however, needs to prove he can back up that form and Harry Skelton prefers solid stablemate Thistle Ask.

12/1

1st

5

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

12:45 Aintree

Mirabad

11st 7lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Made all in beginners' chase at Exeter (2m1f, good to soft) in December; has run creditably in two 2m Grade 2 events since but he was beaten at 1-4 at Bangor on his latest outing; bottom of the pile on ratings and hard to fancy.

40/1

2nd

1

25th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 1f 77y

Class 3

15:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Mirabad

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Surprise winner of his first chase start in December; has bumped into smart opposition since, last time running as well as could have been hoped behind Steel Ally in the Grade 2 Kingmaker at Warwick (2m, heavy); this looks a good opportunity.

4/9

4/5

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 1-2261 C

Last run: 65 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
Enjoyed his finest hour over hurdles when winning the Grade 1 Top Novices on this course (2m, good) 12 months ago; beaten at 1-7 on chasing debut in November and again underwhelmed at Leopardstown over Christmas, but a bloodless win at Thurles (2m2f, soft) in February was much more like it; open to further improvement over fences, comes here fresh after missing Cheltenham and has strong claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

30th Apr 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 75y

17:25 Punchestown

Salvator Mundi

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: W P Mullins

Won a Grade 2 novice hurdle at this track last season before adding a Grade 1 at Aintree; easily got off the mark over fences at Thurles on third start but was a beaten favourite in an Aintree Grade 1 last time when raced keenly; has a bit to find with stablemate Kopek Des Bordes but is capable of a big run.

8/1

2nd

7

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

12:45 Aintree

Salvator Mundi

11st 7lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Enjoyed his finest hour over hurdles when winning the Grade 1 Top Novices on this course (2m, good) 12 months ago; beaten at 1-7 on chasing debut in November and again underwhelmed at Leopardstown over Christmas, but a bloodless win at Thurles (2m2f, soft) in February was much more like it; open to further improvement over fences, comes here fresh after missing Cheltenham and has strong claims.

4/5

10/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: -12220 D BF

Last run: 31 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Smart form but has won only twice (runner-up seven times); rallied when beaten 1l by No Questions Asked in Grade 2 novice at Windsor (2m, soft; handles good) in January; raced freely and faded in Grand Annual Handicap at Cheltenham last time; the hood is back on today, a tongue-strap is fitted and he may well bounce back to form; if so, he has each-way possibilities.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

12:45 Aintree

Be Aware

11st 7lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Smart form but has won only twice (runner-up seven times); rallied when beaten 1l by No Questions Asked in Grade 2 novice at Windsor (2m, soft; handles good) in January; raced freely and faded in Grand Annual Handicap at Cheltenham last time; the hood is back on today, a tongue-strap is fitted and he may well bounce back to form; if so, he has each-way possibilities.

10/1

12th

4

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Be Aware

11st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Improved form when winning on chase debut at Stratford (2m3f, good to soft) in October and strong performances when runner-up in Graded races on his three starts since, including over C&D (soft); this lightly raced 7yo is in top hands and has the potential to be better than this mark now back in a handicap; the hood is left off today, but he ran well without it in December.

5/1

2nd

2

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 37y

Class 1

13:50 Windsor

Be Aware

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won on chase debut at Stratford (2m3f, good to soft) in October and runner-up in hot races on next two starts, namely the Grade 2 Arkle Trial at Cheltenham (2m, soft) and the Grade 1 Henry VIII at Sandown (1m7f, good to soft); this will take less winning than last time; leading claims.

11/10

Form: P-2111 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 152

Form & Verdict
Flat and hurdles winner but already a far superior chaser; jumped well in front (although sometimes to the right) when completing a handicap hat-trick at Doncaster (2m, soft) six weeks ago by 17l; firmly on the up and deserves his chance in this higher grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

12:45 Aintree

Mighty Bandit

11st 7lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Flat and hurdles winner but already a far superior chaser; jumped well in front (although sometimes to the right) when completing a handicap hat-trick at Doncaster (2m, soft) six weeks ago by 17l; firmly on the up and deserves his chance in this higher grade.

9/2

1st

3

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 78y

Class 2

13:55 Doncaster

Mighty Bandit

11st 6lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Flat/hurdle winner but he's looking a far superior chaser; bumped into a very smart novice on his chase debut and has since won two handicaps, the latest over C&D by some 8l (soft); an 8lb rise could have been worse for one firmly on the upgrade.

7/4

1st

3

24th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 78y

Class 2

15:13 Doncaster

Mighty Bandit

11st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Warren Greatrex

Flat/hurdles winner; very solid form at Newbury (2m, good to soft) since switched to fences, finishing a good second (behind subsequent Grade 2 scorer) prior to going one better in a race that is working out nicely; may well have more to offer in this sphere and warrants major respect.

10/11

Form: -12310 D

Last run: 32 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 149

Form & Verdict
Useful over hurdles and even better over fences; found a bit more improvement when coming from behind to beat Be Aware 1l in three-runner Grade 2 novice at Windsor (2m, soft; handles good) in January; well beaten next time in 2m4f handicap at the Cheltenham Festival, lack of stamina probably a factor; this drop back in trip looks a plus and he wears cheekpieces for the first time (has won when hooded); not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

12:45 Aintree

No Questions Asked

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Useful over hurdles and even better over fences; found a bit more improvement when coming from behind to beat Be Aware 1l in three-runner Grade 2 novice at Windsor (2m, soft; handles good) in January; well beaten next time in 2m4f handicap at the Cheltenham Festival, lack of stamina probably a factor; this drop back in trip looks a plus and he wears cheekpieces for the first time (has won when hooded); not ruled out.

12/1

17th

3

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

No Questions Asked

11st 9lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Three hurdle wins at up to 2m1f last season but he was the last to finish in the Martin Pipe here (about 2m4f) last March; has proved his worth in small-field chases since, winning two from four starts, over 2m3f (good) and 2m (soft); he can raise his game further but a strongly run race on a track with a steep uphill finish raises a question.

14/1

1st

4

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 37y

Class 1

13:50 Windsor

No Questions Asked

11st 2lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Won a handicap at Ascot (2m3f, good) in November on chase debut and has continued in good form in Grade 2 chases on next two starts (2m4f/2m3f, good to soft/soft), shaping as though this drop back in trip is well worth a go; could have a big part to play.

11/4

OUR TIP

Form: 1131P6 D

Last run: 134 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Won three of first five races over fences, including a Grade 3 novice at Punchestown (2m2f, good to yielding) in October, but has made mistakes and run poorly at Cheltenham and Newbury since; perhaps he'll be revived by a break and cheekpieces, but he has plenty to find on the figures.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

2nd Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 110y

17:20 Limerick

King Of Kingsfield

11st 1lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Gordon Elliott

Useful chasing campaign last season returned three wins from seven starts; not at his best in a Newbury Grade 2 last November or in Aintree Grade 1 in April; 140 hurdles rating puts him 8lb behind Bowensfire. might be more effective than his stablemate on this ground.

7/1

6th

3

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

12:45 Aintree

King Of Kingsfield

11st 7lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Won three of first five races over fences, including a Grade 3 novice at Punchestown (2m2f, good to yielding) in October, but has made mistakes and run poorly at Cheltenham and Newbury since; perhaps he'll be revived by a break and cheekpieces, but he has plenty to find on the figures.

40/1

Form: -11P43 D

Last run: 85 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who made it 2-2 over fences when winning at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) in October; however, his limitations seem to have been exposed since and he finished well adrift of No Questions Asked and Be Aware at Windsor last time; has had wind surgery but still hard to recommend.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

12:45 Aintree

Alnilam

11st 7lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Front-runner who made it 2-2 over fences when winning at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) in October; however, his limitations seem to have been exposed since and he finished well adrift of No Questions Asked and Be Aware at Windsor last time; has had wind surgery but still hard to recommend.

33/1

3rd

1

16th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 0f 37y

Class 1

13:50 Windsor

Alnilam

11st 5lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Front-runner who made it 2-2 over fences when winning at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) in October; won on soft ground over hurdles; carries a 3lb penalty today and his progress has stalled on his last two starts, but he's made mistakes each time and could make a bold bid if cutting out the blunders.

9/1

Form: 70-112 D

Last run: 70 days

W: 11st 0lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Useful hurdler and she made a smooth transition to chasing towards the end of 2025, winning two mares' races at Cork (2m5f/2m1f) and beating subsequent Arkle winner Kargese by 16l in the second of them; could not maintain her progress in Grade 1 novice at Sandown in January but nor was she disgraced; top on RPRs with her mares' allowance and should go well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 176y

Class 1

12:45 Aintree

Kala Conti

11st 0lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Gordon Elliott

Useful hurdler and she made a smooth transition to chasing towards the end of 2025, winning two mares' races at Cork (2m5f/2m1f) and beating subsequent Arkle winner Kargese by 16l in the second of them; could not maintain her progress in Grade 1 novice at Sandown in January but nor was she disgraced; top on RPRs with her mares' allowance and should go well.

4/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £239.50
Straight Forecast £92.24
Tricast £456.60
Trifecta £738.30

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Kala Conti

SPOTLIGHT:

Salvator Mundi

POSTDATA:

Mighty Bandit

The Star:

No Questions Asked

LAMBOURN:

Mighty Bandit

Daily Mail:

Mighty Bandit

TOPSPEED:

Kala Conti

Telegraph:

Kala Conti

D Express:

Kala Conti

Daily Mirror:

Kala Conti

Daily Record:

Kala Conti

The Times:

Salvator Mundi

The Guardian:

Salvator Mundi

The Sun:

Salvator Mundi