1. GIDLEIGH PARK
Jockey: Bryan Carver | Trainer: Harry Fry
Finished second here in last year’s Manifesto Novices’ Chase after fluffing his lines at Kempton and bounding away from Caldwell Potter in a Grade 2 at Windsor. Harry Fry’s eight-year-old was easily picked off by Jango Baie on his seasonal return and just didn’t jump well enough on soft ground in the Clarence House, eventually being pulled up a long way from home. The fact that he’s been off since January is a plus that many of these don’t have, however, so he certainly can’t be discounted.
2. GREY DAWNING
Harry Skelton | Dan Skelton
The nine-year-old was so impressive when winning the Betfair Chase in November and also gave a bold showing in the Gold Cup. His second here in last year’s Bowl Chase behind Gaelic Warrior has aged very well, and a good pace could reward his stamina over this trip. Despite being well beaten over course and distance in the 2024 Manifesto Novices’ Chase, he is a different proposition on his best form. Harry Skelton may look to contest the lead over this trip but that could result in a pace duel, which would certainly blunt his chances.
3. HEART WOOD
Darragh O'Keeffe | Henry de Bromhead
Currently in the prime of his life, the Robcour runner was very good when winning the Ryanair at Cheltenham and thrives with a strong gallop to aim at, which he should get here. The eight-year-old also thrives on spring ground and jumps beautifully, so he has plenty of upside for Henry de Bromhead. He does lack a bit of track experience, although he did travel strongly to the last in the 2024 Mildmay Novices’ Chase over three miles-plus only to be outstayed by Inothewayurthinkin (a future Gold Cup winner) and Iroko (fourth in last year’s Grand National) on his sole previous visit to Merseyside. He’s certainly a strong contender.
4. JPR ONE
Brendan Powell | Joe Tizzard
A superb jumper, Joe Tizzard’s runner was a joy to watch in the Ryanair before eventually fading to finish fourth. The nine-year-old has won twice at around this trip, however, and the likely strong pace on offer should hopefully help him to settle. He was disappointing on his only previous visit to Aintree three years ago, finishing fifth in a two-mile handicap hurdle, but he does have form on other flat tracks. It’ll be interesting to see what tactics they adopt here, as if they ride him with a bit more restraint he could make the frame.
5. L’EAU DU SUD
Tristan Durrell | Dan Skelton
The eight-year-old is entitled to come on for his third-place finish in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham given his four-month break beforehand, while this step up in trip could bring him on further. There’s also stamina in the pedigree, plus he won over a similar distance in handicap company a couple of years ago. However, he hasn’t always hit the line running over two miles at the top level, but he’ll undoubtedly be a big danger if successfully seeing out the distance.
6. SAINT SEGAL
Ciaran Gethings | Jane Williams
Another that can belt away in front, the eight-year-old’s two-mile form is decent if not spectacular. This step back up in trip should help, though he would still need to improve on his best performances over two and a half miles to feature here, and he’s unlikely to get his own way out in front. On the plus side, he is bred for stamina, but a leap of faith is required.
7. SOLNESS
J J Slevin | Joseph P O'Brien
Yet another that should ensure this is run at a decent gallop, Joseph O’Brien’s front-runner arrives here fresh and with some excellent Grade 1 form in the book - he’s beaten nearly every top-class Irish two-miler in recent seasons, often on reasonable ground and fairly flat tracks. The biggest concern is the trip, as evidenced by his runs in a Grade 3 at Cork and the 2024 Galway Plate - both on decent ground. There’ll be no hiding place this time round, but he has upset the odds before.
KIERAN O’SULLIVAN’S VERDICT
This race looks packed with pace, and while some may choose to alter their plans, they’ll surely go a decent clip here. With drying conditions and a long run-in, this should reward a horse that can relax, travel, jump and see out the trip strongly on decent ground. With that in mind, HEART WOOD ticks every box.
Although he lacks track experience, he travelled strongly here over three miles-plus in the 2024 Mildmay Novices’ Chase before being outstayed by a future Gold Cup winner (Inothewayurthinkin) and last year’s Grand National fourth (Iroko). It’s a pity that a few defected come declaration time, as his price has now been trimmed considerably, but Henry de Bromhead’s charge remains the one to beat. JPR One could represent a bit of value if ridden a little more conservatively this time round.