Grade One Maghull Novices' Chase Aintree Guide 2023

Calico makes his Aintree debut for Dan Skelton after winning last time out in Doncaster handicap over 2m. Bridget Andrews was on board that day after Harry Skelton had got him five lengths off Jonbon the run before at Warwick, where just the two runners went to post. Calico wasn’t expected to get close to Jonbon but ran well in defeat.

Tougher here where Jonbon is on the back of a decent run at the Cheltenham festival last month (second in the Arkle) and he would be a surprising winner for Skelton.

Champion jockey Brian Hughes rides Patrick Neville’s eight-year-old Fusain here, after the gelding won his last two races at Catterick and Newcastle in the hands of Henry Brooke. His last run in this sort of company came at Cheltenham in November, finishing a long way off winner Banbridge in a 1m 7f chase and has since only ran at class three and four level.

Steps back up in class here and you’d think he’s a little out of his depth against some of the graded winning horses here.

Banbridge has been declared for this race despite winning the Grade One Manifesto Novices’ Chase on day one of the Aintree meeting on Thursday. The seven-year-old was a non-runner in the Turners’ last month at Cheltenham after staying on well to finish second in the Irish Arkle behind El Fabiolo in February.

He went to win the Manifesto on day one of the Aintree meeting, claiming his first grade one win, one and a half lengths to Saint Roi. Probably won’t run in this after Thursday’s run but he has been declared, nonetheless.

Nicky Henderson sends his 159-rated chaser Jonbon to Aintree after finishing second in the Arkle at Cheltenham last month. The seven-year-old finished five and a half lengths behind 11/10fav El Fabiolo in what was a good race between the two market leaders.

Jonbon had been unbeaten since switching to chasing from hurdling, winning at Warwick, Sandown and then Warwick again in a tight-affair with the 136-rated Calico. The clear favourite in this (providing Banbridge doesn’t run here – won Manifesto Novices’ Chase on Thursday) and will take all the beating.

Henry De Bromhead sends one for this race in the form of Marvel De Cerisy, who’s form over fences has been inconsistent since falling on chasing debut at Wexford in October last year. He won at 4/1 next time out in Punchestown novice before finishing third in Navan novice chase won by Willie Mullins’ Ha D’Or, however he was a long way back when Mullins’ gelding crossed the line.

Went on to finish ninth in the Magners Plate at Cheltenham last month before making his first Aintree appearance this week. Tougher test here and it would be surprising if he was to win this.

Laura Morgan sends seven-year-old Notlongtillmay to this contest at Aintree after finishing second in the Turners’ Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham festival last month, three and a quarter lengths behind winner Stage Star and ahead of the likes of the late Mighty Potter and Appreciate it.

Had won three straight chases before that run at a lower level but showed he belonged at grade one level with that Cheltenham run and he can go well again here. May not be able to beat Jonbon but could certainly see him in the places.