Just six go to post for the Grade 1 Mildmay Novices' Chase (14:30) but it's impossible to rule any of them out, with RSA winner O'Faolains Boy, Cheltenham handicap winner Holywell and Many Clouds notably holding excellent claims, but preference is for Wonderful Charm, who has rapidly made up into a better chaser than hurdler and will be ideally suited by this step up in trip.
Wonderful Charm won his first three starts over fences and then lost nothing in defeat at Cheltenham in December, when attempting to concede 8 lb to Oscar Whisky. He was fancied by many in the JLT at the Festival and, though he failed to meet expectations on the face of it, the feeling is that the race didn't get anywhere near the bottom of him, a reluctance by Daryl Jacob to commit his mount arguably counting against him as he found things happening slightly too quickly ridden more patiently than usual. With Jacob sidelined through injury Sam Twiston-Davies comes in for the ride, and it would be no surprise were Wonderful Charm to be ridden in contrasting fashion this afternoon.
The latest running of the Melling Chase (15:05) looks a substandard one, with none of the field having previously shown a level of form required to win a typical renewal. Ballynagour produced a most impressive performance when routing his rivals in a Chetlenham handicap after four months off but the feeling is that he's at his best when fresh, so the quick turnaround is a big concern, whilst Wishfull Thinking, though usually vulnerable at this level, actually has the strongest claims on form. The selection though is Rajdhani Express who has had just the two outings so far this term, so comes here fresher than most, and has acquitted himself well on each occasion, finishing fifth in the Paddy Power and then running a cracker to take third in the Ryanair. A repeat of that effort will see him go very close to landing the spoils.
The market for the Grade 1 Grand Sefton Novices' Hurdle (16:15) is an interesting one as Seeyouatmidnight deserves to be shorter than the 5.79/2 he is currently trading at; though it may be cliché to say, the suspicion is that were he trained by a Nicholls, Henderson or Mullins, he wouldn't be anywhere near his present price. Seeyouatmidnight, and Irish point winner, has made a remarkable start over hurdles and his form has a strong look to it, beating Regal Encore on debut at Hexham in December and then heading to Musselburgh in February, where he brushed aside Racing Pulse. His latest effort, outside of novice company in the Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle, was even more impressive, finding plenty from the front to fend off the likes of Mickie and Celestial Halo. A willing attitude and straightforward style will continue to stand him in good stead and, after just three starts under Rules, it would come as no surprise were he to do better still.
Timeform SmartPlays:
All at Aintree
Back Wonderful Charm @ 5.04/1 in the 14:30
Back Rajdhani Express @ 5.85/1 in the 15:05
Back Seeyouatmidnight @ 5.79/2 in the 16:15
