Boylesports Grand Sefton Chase
Handicap Chase, Aintree 14:45
£100,000 guaranteed,
6yo plus,
2m 5f 19y, Class 2  
Saturday 11th November 2023

1 Gesskille 100/30F
2 Percussion 15/2
3 Frero Banbou 11/2
10 ran NR: Minella Trump Distances: 2l, 2¾l, 1¼l
Time: 5m 46.19s (slow by 26.19s)

Trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, Gesskille was beaten a nose by Al Dancer in this race 12 months ago before again having to settle for second in the Becher Chase a month later.

This time, Henry Brooke bounced out the seven-year-old and never missed a beat as he once again showed his love for the unique test the famous spruce presents.

At the elbow Gesskille held a narrow advantage over last year’s third Percussion and Laura Morgan’s charge was unable to reel in the 100-30 favourite, who kept on stoutly for a two-length victory.

Greenall said: “Courses like here and Auteuil seem to suit him – just the once round; he seems to get a bit sick of a tighter track and not enjoy it so much.

“He was quite sour when we first got him – he’s by Network and they can be a bit tricky, and they start racing quite young in France, and he likes something to brighten him up, like these fences.

“After finishing agonisingly close last year, winning this is more like a relief, really. The blinkers have definitely improved him. He needs to go up a bit more in the handicap to get into the Grand National, but he could be a contender.”

FormRatings

Grand Sefton Handicap Chase
£100,000 guaranteed, 6yo plus, 2m 5f 19y, Class 2
10 ran
Going: Heavy, Soft in places

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Gesskille 7 11-7 Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Henry Brooke 100/30F
2
2 Percussion 8 10-11 L J Morgan Gavin Sheehan 15/2
3
Frero Banbou 8 11-2 Venetia Williams Charlie Deutsch 11/2
4
 Nassalam 6 11-11 Gary Moore Caoilin Quinn 7/1
5 nse Fantastic Lady 8 12-0 Nicky Henderson Nico de Boinville 4/1
6
34 Yccs Portocervo 8 10-10 Dr Richard Newland Sam Twiston-Davies 22/1
7
4 Ganapathi 7 11-0 2 R Mike Smith Sean Bowen 80/1
8
17 Cooper's Cross 8 11-5 Stuart Coltherd Sam Coltherd 11/1
9
11 Born By The Sea 9 11-9 Paul John Gilligan Phillip Enright 20/1
UR Half Shot 9 10-5 Iain Jardine Sean Quinlan 6/1
NR 2 Minella Trump 9 12-0 Donald McCain NON RUNNER

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