It’s back over the unique National fences this Saturday for the Grand Sefton Chase – one of the big horse racing spectacles of the season and to help get the pluses racing we’ve got the key trends to help whittle down the runners, plus Andy Newton’s form guide and a look back at last year’s winner Gesskille.
Grand Sefton Chase A Real Spectacle Over The National Fences
Horse racing jumps fans will get to see the famous Grand National fences in action this Saturday as a field of 13 head to post for the 2024 Grand Sefton Chase, which was first run back in 1865.
However, unlike the National, which is run over 4m 2 1/2f these days, the Grand Sefton is staged over a shorter 2m5f trip.
Therefore, not many horses have won both races in the same season – in fact, only Nicolaus Silver in 1961 has done the double in the same season.
The 2024 renewal will see 13 Grand Sefton Chase runners head to post on Saturday 9th November in search of the £38,580 first prize.
Read on as Andy Newton takes a look at the key Grand Sefton Chase trends below – these include 14 of the last 18 winners aged 8 or 9.
While trainer Paul Nicholls has won three of the last 11 renewals and he’s back for more with Outlaw Peter, who returns from a wind op.
Grand Sefton Chase Race Details 2024
📅Date: Saturday 9th November 2024
⌚Time: 2:40pm
🏇Racecourse: Aintree
🔄Trip: 2m5f
💷Winning Purse: £38,580
📺 TV: ITV / Racing TV
Percussion Having His Fifth Run Over The National Fences at Aintree
12 months ago we saw the Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero-trained Gesskille win the Grand Sefton (watch below) under jockey Henry Brooke.
The pair team up again this year with the promising Gaboriot, plus we’ve also got last year’s runner-up Percussion.
This 9 year-old loves it here over the National fences – with form figures over these famous obstacles reading 3-3-2-3.
Percussion is also back on just a pound higher mark than last year and will carry only 10st 4lbs in racing weight – which is 7lbs less than 2023.
Yes, he’s yet to win over these fences, but he’s also yet to finish out of the first three over these Aintree obstacles – making him a solid each-way play with the best horse racing betting sites in the UK.
WATCH: SportsCasting’s Andy Newton Previews The Best Saturday ITV Horse Racing Action
Grand Sefton Chase Runners and Form Guide by Andy Newton
Authorized Art
Topweight of 12st makes life hard, but the Moore team help by jocking-up Caoilin Quinn to take off a handy 3lbs. Former Willie Mullins-trained horse but has lost his way since a Grade 3 Chase win in Ireland back in 2022 – which remains his last success (11 runs ago).
Latenightpass
Winner of the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham December Meeting and also ran 12th in the Grand National last April – beaten 36 lengths. Experience of the fences a plus, but no spring chicken at the age of 11. 14 of the last 18 winners have been aged 8 or 9.
Outlaw Peter
Represents the Paul Nicholls yard, who have a fine record in this race – three wins since 2013. Lightly-raced over fences (7 runs), but has won three of those and comes here having had a wind op over the summer. If taking to the fences is certainly a player with top conditional jockey Freddie Gingell also able to take off 3lbs.
Sure Touch
In the form of his life after winning his last four – the last being the Summer Plate up at Market Rasen. Up another 6lbs here and first try over these fences but could be the sort to have more to come. Has been freshened up with 112 days off too.
Richmond Lake
Running in the Hemmings colours, who won the Grand National three times over the years, including once with trainer Donald McCain, who looks after this 8 year-old. Four-time winner over fences (10 runs) but was well down the field (10th) in the Topham over these obstacles back in April.
Harper’s Brook
Another that returns from a wind operation and is also tackling these fences for the first time. Has also switched from the Pauling yard and will be running for Dan Skelton for the first time. Only 3lbs higher than winning well at Sandown back in February so if taking to the fences no back number.
Idalko Bihoue
The Twiston-Davies team won this in 2012 with Little Josh and this 6 year-old has a live chance of adding to that. First run over the fences but gets in here with just 10-7 in weight and was a nice Novice Chase winner at Cheltenham around this time last year. The worry would be that he’s only had four runs over fences and his age – just one 6 year-old winner since 2004.
Frero Banbou
Ran third in this race 12 months ago and is back on 3lb lower rating. Yes, has since been pulled up in the Topham here in April, but that came after a long season that also saw him run an excellent 6th in the Plate at the Cheltenham Festival. Course experience coupled with the Venetia Williams team going well make him a very decent contender with just 10-5 to carry.
Percussion
Runner-up last year and only a pound higher in the ratings. Looks an each-way banker as loves these fences, having run over them four times and been placed in the top three (no wins) in them all. Just 10-4 to carry this time too, which is 7lbs less than 2023.
Gaboriot
Represents last year’s winning yard of Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero – two former jockeys who have now teamed up to train together. This horse was still going okay when unseated at the Canal Turn in the Foxhunters’ Chase over these fences but has since bounced back with two Hunters’ Chase wins. Just 10-2 to carry and expected to run a big race.
Vintage Fizz
Another with a low weight of just 10-2 and is running here for the first time. Two-time winner (11 runs) over fences and will be fitter than some after a run in October – but the concern would be that he’s currently eight races without a success.
King Turgeon
From the 2014 winning yard of David Pipe and will certainly have many backers after a facile win at Chepstow last month. Up 9lbs for that here so more needed, but that win also came off a wind op, so it could be that he’s improved and will have more to come. Has a featherweight of just 10-2 to carry.
Galon De Vauzelle
Sole Irish raider in the race and despite being one of the outsiders does head here off a win (Listowel). That came over 3m though and is up a massive 16lbs for that – plus also had a 7lb claimer on the last day. Despite that impressive 12 length win is actually racing out of the handicap and with 23 career runs over fences you feel there won’t be much improvement to come.
2024 Grand Sefton Chase Trends and Stats
- 17/19 – Had between 1-4 previous chase wins
- 17/19 – Rated 124 or more
- 16/19 – Aged 8 or older
- 15/19 – Had won (chase) over at least 2m4f before
- 13/19 – Had raced within the last 4 weeks
- 13/19 – Had run at Aintree before (6 over the GN style fences)
- 12/19 – Carried 10-12 or more
- 10/19 – Irish bred
- 9/19 – Returned a double-figure price
- 9/19 – Finished in the top 4 last time out
- 5/19 – Winning favourites
- 3/19 – Went onto run in that season’s Grand National
- 2/19 – Ridden by Sean Bowen
- 2/19 – Won last time out
- 14 of the last 18 winners were aged 8 or 9 years-old
- Trainer Paul Nicholls has won 3 of the last 11 runnings
- Percussion was runner up in this in 2023
Grand Sefton Chase Winners (Last 5 Years)
- 2023 – Gesskille – 100/30 fav
- 2022 – Al Dancer – 5/1
- 2021 – Ma Tottie – 20/1
- 2020 – Beau Bay – 20/1
- 2019 – Hogan’s Height – 16/1
