In the last five years the Grand Sefton has been won by horses with Official Ratings between 104 and 125 and (I am guessing here) it looks as if the conditions of the race have been changed as the highest rated horse in those five years ran off 130 and tomorrow Turpin Green runs off a mark of 158 – so we are now looking at quite a different type of race.
Consequently in those previous five years Forest Gunner has been the only horse of note to run in the Grand Sefton and then go on to make an impact in the Grand National – that may all now change that better horses are running in this race and the Grand Sefton could become much more significant.

Grand Sefton Entries: The Favourites

Of the sixteen entered Palarshan and Bill’s Echo both ran on Saturday so surely must be doubtful starters.
From the early betting that has been released it appears that Paul Nicholls and Nigel Twiston-Davies have the strongest hands in this race as well with Gwanako and The Hollow Bottom.
Gwanako won the Topham over course and distance in April and although ten pounds higher than that win this doesn’t look an overly competitive race and he did win first time out in a hurdle race last year. It was a great performance to win the Topham as a five year old and his claims look very strong here again today.
The Hollow Bottom is on a hat-trick at Aintree, although he is yet to try out the National fences. He does, however, face the starter 28lbs higher than when winning the first race of this sequence and he will do well to overcome such a hefty rise in the weights for winning two 9k handicaps.

Grand Sefton Entries: Other Fancied Runners
Of the others I’d have reservations about the ground for Regal Heights (needs it very soft), distance about Ponmeoath (would seem to need 3 miles) and jumping about Iron Man (failed to complete in three attempts at the course).
An outsider who may receive support is Bestofthebrownies. Howard Johnson guided Theatre Knight to placings in this race in 2006 and 2007 and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Bestofthebrownies step up on all previous form and perform well even from so far out of the handicap.

Nevertheless, Gwanako looks head and shoulders above this field.

Do you agree? Or do you have a strong fancy for one of the other runners? What about Endless Power or Brooklyn Brownie? Tell us who you are going to back.