Grade One Mildmay Novices' Chase Aintree Guide 2023

Olly Murphy sends one for this contest with Thomas Darby, the ten-year-old gelding being his pick. An experienced hurdler who won at the likes of Cheltenham, Ascot and Newbury over hurdles, is less experienced over fences, having just three runs over the larger obstacles in his career.

Two of those came in 2019, where he finished second at Warwick and third at Kempton before returning over fences at Ayr this year, beating 5/6fav Gold Cup Bailly by just over a length to claim class three handicap success.

This is tougher and he is up five lbs from that victory here, against some very good chasers.

Paul Nicholls’ sole runner in this contest is seven-year-old Complete Unknown, who makes his fourth appearances over fences here. He won on chasing debut in Ffos Las handicap over 2m 4f in December before finishing 13 lengths behind Galia Des Liteaux in second.

He improved further to win Kempton class two handicap over 2m 4f last month ahead of Silver Hallmark and arrives here up ten lbs because of that success. Can continue to improve but this is tougher.

Dan Skelton sends two for this contest, with Sholokjack being the second of his runners here. The seven-year-old has won one of his three runs over fences, landing class three Lingfield handicap in January after falling on chasing debut at Uttoxeter in December last year.

Sixth of seven last time out at Kelso over 2m 5f and he steps up in trip and grade for the first time and may struggle to make his mark in this company. Kielan Woods does the steering on Skelton’s gelding.

Gordon Elliott’s seven-year-old chaser Gerri Colombe travels to Aintree for the first time after losing his unbeaten record over fences last time out in the 3m Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham festival, losing out to The Real Whacker by a short head.

He is a strong stayer who probably needed to be pushed along slightly earlier by Jordan Gainford to pip Sam Twiston-Davies and The Real Whacker to victory but that is his only blemish on his impressive chasing record, winning at Sandown, Limerick and Fairyhouse before heading to Cheltenham.

The one to beat on form and he should be going close here at 1/1fav.

Willie Mullins sends one runner to the Mildmay Novices’ Chase in the form of Bronn. Is a little more inexperienced over fences than some in this race but the six-year-old has been promising over the larger obstacles since finishing second on debut at Fairyhouse in November last year.

After winning Fairyhouse beginner in January, he headed to the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham last month, finishing third behind Gerri Colombe and The Real Whacker at 50/1.

Should be able to improve further on that run and go again here, in a strong race.

Dan Skelton’s Galia Des Liteaux heads for Aintree after finishing fifth in the 3m Brown Advisory at Cheltenham last month, behind a few rivals here in the form of Bronn and Gerri Colombe. If excusing being pulled up in the Kauto Star in December, she otherwise had a 100% record over fences for Skelton, with wins at Bangor-on-Dee and Warwick (Grade Two) before heading to Cheltenham.

The heavier the ground, the better for Skelton’s mare who should go better than her Brown Advisory run here, although Gerri Colombe back on top form will be tough to beat.