Headlining Aintree tips and the second meeting of the core jumps season at the home of the Grand National is the 2m 5f Grand Sefton Chase (11 November, 2:45). Last year’s runner-up GESSKILLE appeals to go one better.
This handicap contest over the Grand National fences, sponsored again by BoyleSports, is always a spectacle. Last year, we saw the Sam Thomas’ Al Dancer just get home by a nose with the Oliver Greenhall and Josh Guerriero-trained Gesskille just a whisker back in second (watch below).
You feel after the way he stayed on 12 months ago, would have won the race in another few strides. Al Dancer is bypassing the contest this year, but the runner-up is back for more and the best horse racing betting sites are giving him a big chance of going one better.
Gesskille has been put in as the Grand Sefton Chase favourite with most bookmakers and, after a win at Auteuil in France in September, has returned this season in fine fettle. We know he’s suited by these Grand National fences as he went onto run second again over them in the Becher Chase in December
Improving Gesskille Among Aintree Tips Despite Going Up In Ratings & Weights
Up 5lbs from last year, Gesskille does have a bit more on his plate but the horse is still only a seven-year-old. With the front two pulling 8 lengths clear of the third, Percussion – who could also run again on Saturday – then this suggests he’s up to coping with the rise in the ratings.
Jockey Henry Brooke, who rode Gesskille last year, is back in the saddle too, while the yES have been amongst the winners in recent weeks to back up the good form of their horses.
Saturday’s ground is likely to be heavy and even though the Sefton was run on good-to-soft last year, we also know Gesskille acts well with plenty of cut underneath – winning in ‘very soft’ going last time out.
This race looks to have been a big target for Gesskille again and, after that pipe-opener for the campaign in France, has been freshened up with 53 days off since. He’s expected to be ready to rumble and looks a solid option for punters to back on betting sites in conditions we know suit him.
Fantastic Lady & Percussion Also Have Form over Famous Fences
Of the rest, the Nicky Henderson-trained Fantastic Lady will also be popular among Aintree tips for the Grand Sefton Chase despite joint topweight. This mare has form over these fences too with a close second in the Topham Chase at the 2023 Grand National Meeting and is only up 4lbs for that.
Completing the shortlist for punters to consider is last year’s Grand Sefton Chase third Percussion, who could also run and can’t be ruled out off a 5lb lower mark. Laura Morgan’s charge went on again finish Gesskille when third in the Becher Chase, so should be staying on well once again.
Grand Sefton Chase Date and Info
📅Date: Saturday 11th November 2023
🕙Time: 2:45pm
🏇Racecourse: Aintree (2m 5f)
💰 Winner: £51,440
📺 TV: ITV / Racing TV
Grand Sefton Handicap Chase Betting
See below the latest betting from BetMGM for the Grand Sefton at Aintree on Saturday, plus you can explore our range of horse racing free bets here.
- Gesskille 4/1
- Fantastic Lady 5/1
- City Chief 6/1
- Sail Away 15/2
- Born By The Sea 8/1
- Copper’s Cross 8/1
- Nassalam 9/1
- Percussion 10/1
Note: Odds are subject to change and others on request
Andy Newton is a well-known horse racing and sports betting writer that specialises in using key trends and stats to help find winners and unique betting approaches. Over the years, Andy has built up many industry contacts, including with some of the leading horse racing stables in the UK with his time running the Trainers-Quotes site and has also ghost-written for former top jockey Richard Dunwoody. Andy is also the former sports betting editor of odds comparison site Easyodds and JuiceStorm and appeared on many betting podcasts for MatchBook and BetBright. You can also find his views via his monthly Racing Ahead magazine column, which he’s held a slot for over 10 years. Now a regular on Bettingsites.co.uk too giving his views, trends and tips mainly on horse racing and football - so if there's a stat to be unearthed and it's a sport, Andy is sure to find an interesting betting angle. Here’s a look at a sampling of where Andy’s expertise has been mentioned: Racing Ahead Magazine Trainers-Quotes JuiceStorm GeeGeez
