TEMPLEGATE takes on Aintree’s big race on Saturday confident of finding the winner.
Read on for our man’s complete runner-by-runner guide (where he rates each horse out of five stars) and find his pick for the 2.11 below.
Grand Sefton Handicap Chase runners-by-runner guide
TWO FOR GOLD 4
GOLD run. He led the Grand National at the second Canal Turn before his stamina gave out.
His other spin over these fences saw him unseat early in last year’s Topham but he’s better than that. He’s talented over this trip and can figure.
LIFETIME AMBITION 4
CHANCE of a Lifetime. Was a good second in the Punchestown Champion Novice Chase after winning a Limerick Grade 3.
He jumps well so should handle the track and has plenty of stamina. On the shortlist.
AL DANCER 3
AL a pal. Hasn’t won for two years but often runs well including when second in good company at Newbury last time out.
This trip suits and he’s down the weights. Each-way shout.
SENIOR CITIZEN 5
CITI slicker. He was second in this last year and is back from a similar mark.
He has another placing over these fences and also jumped round in the Topham last time out. This trip suits and he is right in the hunt again.
JACAMAR 3
JAC on attack. Solid handicapper over this trip who has a fitness edge over a few of these after a fourth on comeback at Chepstow last month.
He prefers this shorter trip and some give in the ground. Can make his presence felt.
SPIRITOFTHEGAMES 3
SPIRIT willing. Last win was in 2018 but he has lots of good form including when fifth in the Topham over these fences in April.
He had a pipe-opener at Fakenham so has an each-way shout.
BROKEN HALO 3
HALO may shine. Rising through the novice ranks and had 17 lengths in hand when scoring at Fontwell last time out in March.
This trip suits and he has more to offer on this sharp hike in class.
ONE TRUE KING 2
TRUE false. Did a lot of hurdling last season but won over fences on comeback at Market Rasen over this trip.
Makes the odd error which is a worry over these obstacles.
GESSKILLE 3
IN for Kille. Went back to his native France to win a Listed chase at Auteuil in June when this trip was ideal.
He’s only six so can improve and soft ground suits well.
THE GOLDEN REBEL 2
REBEL yell. Tries blinkers for the first time after a run of modest efforts including when last of three on comeback at Fontwell.
This looks a tall order.
JACK HACKETT 1
SLACK Jack. Doesn’t win very often and showed only modest form in Ireland this summer including a distant fifth at Kilbeggan last time.
Needs a big step forward at this level.
PERCUSSION 1
PER scare. Has shot up the weights for winning modest contests at Southwell.
He was well off the pace when last seen at Fakenham in May. This trip suits but he needs to show a lot more.
COOPER’S CROSS 3
CROSS shot. He showed much improved form when winning easily on comeback at Carlisle last month.
He saw out 2m4f well and will have no problem getting home. He jumps well so should handle these fences.
AL ROC 1
AL pass. Won at Market Rasen in July but has largely struggled over both fences and hurdles since.
Needs this unique track to bring major improvement.
ABAYA DU MATHAN 1
MAT finish. Landed a couple of wins in France last year but hasn’t shown a lot on this side of the Channel, including when pulled up in the Becher Chase.
Has had seven runs since August and made little impact.
Templegate’s Grand Sefton tip
SENIOR CITIZEN is an old hand around these Aintree fences and can take the Grand Sefton.
Alan King’s chaser has two places from three spins over the spruce fences including a good second in this race 12 months ago.
He goes well fresh and won’t mind if there’s plenty of give in the ground.
Lifetime Ambition is a Graded winner in Ireland and Jessica Harrington doesn’t send them over for the fun of it. He finished last season with a solid second in hot company at Punchestown and has more to come.
Two For Gold led the Grand National for a long way before running out of petrol. He’ll be much happier over this shorter distance and is another who likes the jumping challenge.
Spiritofthegames has a low win strike-rate but is a regular on the podium. He was a good second on return at Fakenham three weeks ago and took to these fences well when fifth in the Topham two starts ago.
Broken Halo has been backed and Paul Nicholls’ hope has more to offer.
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