Can Hitman deliver Paul Nicholls a record fourth Old Roan success?

Sunday: 2.40 Aintree
Jewson St Helens Old Roan Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) | 2m4f | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

The first thing apparent when looking at the eight runners in this year's Old Roan Chase is that in normal circumstances half of them would be asked to make the running. Captain Tom Cat, Ga Law, Soldier Of Destiny and Beakstown have each led on two of their last three starts.

Often would-be pace burnups are negotiated away in the weighing room beforehand, but it might be that Aintree's fences are allowed to decide this time. The stiff birch fences on the Mildmay course, taken at speed, are bound to draw some early mistakes and it will probably be the best jumper on the day who gets to take them along.

Beakstown and Captain Tom Cat are the most experienced of the four mentioned. Ga Law and Soldier Of Destiny are both six-year-olds trained by Jamie Snowden with warm novice form behind them. Ga Law has not been seen since February 2021 and the market can guide on his chances, although 2m4f away from deep ground should be ideal.

However, the market for the Old Roan focuses on those less likely to contest the early pace. Hitman is the favourite after chasing Fakir D'Oudaries home in the Melling Chase in April. He tanked through the race and also lost ground late on when third in a Grade 1 novice over 2m4f at the same meeting 12 months earlier, so there remains a nagging doubt about what he might find when push comes to shove.

Millers Bank: delivered Alex Hales his first Grade 1 success at Aintree in AprilCredit: Edward Whitaker

No such concerns exist over Millers Bank and Do Your Job, who both won major novice chases over similar trips in the spring. Millers Bank peaked for the Grand National meeting and won an admittedly weak Grade 1 contest, while Do Your Job was convincing in a Grade 2 chase at Ayr that also looks less than stellar for the grade.

Even so, long-term development has remained the watchword with the likeable Do Your Job and he holds potential over this trip or even a little further. He also has the assistance of Luca Morgan, whose 3lb claim is basically a free allowance at this point.

It has been 15 years since Kauto Star ran in the Old Roan. It is no longer a race that attracts the biggest names, a few honourable mentions like Frodon and Smad Place aside. What it offers now is a chance for those on the edge of the top level to book a spot in Grade 1 company for the winter. Hitman is the logical fit for that role, but expect him to be tested with so many progressive second-season chasers in the line-up, not to mention the prospect of an end-to-end gallop.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

'Off his mark it's a tough task for Hitman'

Paul Nicholls' hopes of winning the Old Roan Chase for a record fourth time rest with three-time Grade 1 runner-up Hitman, although the champion trainer warned the six-year-old may well improve for his first run of the season.

Nicholls landed the Grade 2 handicap with Kauto Star (2006), Sound Investment (2015) and Frodon (2018) and his runner in this year's race is set to carry topweight off a lofty official rating of 159.

He returns following a wind operation over the summer and is likely to step up to three miles at some stage this season.

Hitman: runner-up in the Melling Chase at Aintree last time outCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He will improve," said Nicholls. "I've done as much as I can with him since he's been in but I've just got a feeling, like last season, he'll run tidy but will just come forward for his first run.

"With his mark it's a tough task but whatever he does it will bring him forward for his next run, probably at Haydock on Betfair Chase day. He's had a soft-palate hobday wind operation in the summer, which again just put me on the back foot a little bit."

Tied with Nicky Richards on three winners since the Wigan Chase became the Old Roan in 2004, Nicholls will be out on his own on four victories if Hitman can return triumphant.

What they say

Kielan Woods, rider of Millers Bank
I don't see any reason why he can't be as good this season as he was last. He's fresh, ready to go and likes a flat track, so this looks a perfect race to start him off in. If he gets beaten by a better horse on the day so be it as this is only a starting point.

Michael Scudamore, trainer of Do Your Job
He's appears to have filled out and done very well over the summer. The proof of that will be in the pudding but we couldn't be happier with how he looks. He's off 146, so hopefully he can improve and move up another level. Luca Morgan's 3lb claim could be crucial.

Richard Newland, trainer of Captain Tom Cat
When he fell at Cheltenham last November, he broke a small bone in his foot and just needed some time off. He's 100 per cent now and it was a nice comeback over hurdles the other day. We were keen to blow the cobwebs away and this has been the race we've been targeting.

Jamie Snowden, trainer of Ga Law and Soldier Of Destiny
Soldier Of Destiny looks progressive and this has always been our aim since the summer. It's a shame he's 2lb out of the handicap but it looks a lovely place to start. Ga Law was a very decent novice chaser a couple of years ago but has been off the track for over 600 days after picking up a tendon injury. He's quite nicely handicapped on his novice chase form but he's bound to improve for the run.

Richard Hobson, trainer of Riders Onthe Storm
My horses were sick all last season, as from November onwards we got a virus in the yard and it wrote the whole season off. He's come in this season and shown me he's a different horse [compared to last season]. He goes well fresh and I think there's a great run in him.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Beakstown
He's 4lb out the handicap but the trip and track are absolutely ideal. He hasn't got any weight to carry and we've been getting him ready for this race for a while.
Reporting by Lewis Porteous

Might Bite and Vieux Lion Rouge return

Former Betway Bowl winner Might Bite and Grand National course-specialist Vieux Lion Rouge will be among the retired stars on show at Aintree on Sunday.

Might Bite, who won four Grade 1 chases including the 2017 King George, will be in action as part of a training tutorial organised by Retraining of Racehorses before racing begins, with renowned coach and former international event rider Eric Smiley demonstrating how racehorses can be retrained to show jump.

Vieux Lion Rouge: will parade before the race named in his honour on SundayCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Vieux Lion Rouge, who cleared 254 fences on the Grand National course during his racing career, will be paraded after the veteran chase named in his honour at 2.05.

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