'The aim is the National' - key quotes and insight for the Grand Sefton

Saturday: 2.11 Aintree
Boylesports Best Odds Guaranteed On Racing Grand Sefton Handicap Chase | 2m5f | 6yo+ | ITV4/RTV

It probably won't surprise you to read that five of the last ten winners of the Grand Sefton had run in the Topham over course and distance at the previous season's Grand National meeting, but the fact all five were well beaten in that event might grab your attention for this year's running.

Spiritofthegames (fifth) and Senior Citizen (eighth) finished behind Mac Tottie in last season's Topham, but Senior Citizen is now 3lb lower and Spiritofthegames 1lb higher. That's in spite of the fact the latter hasn't won for four years and his rise in the weights came for yet another defeat, this time behind Shetland Bus at Fakenham last month.

It's more than a year since Senior Citizen won too and he is still 6lb higher than for that success at Market Rasen, but the return to the Grand National fences is certain to suit.

Senior Citizen was third in the Topham last year and second in this race last season, so the return to this event has almost certainly been the aim and he is only 1lb higher 12 months on.

Three other recent winners had competed in another race at the Grand National meeting and Two For Gold was last seen in the big one itself. He made most of the running to the Canal Turn second time, but failed to stay the marathon distance and was pulled up before two out.

Two For Gold brings Grade 1 form into this handicap courtesy of his previous second behind Fakir D'Oudairies in the Ascot Chase and he has to carry top weight as a result. However, the return to a shorter trip is evidently in his favour and David Bass will no doubt try to make all.

Irish trainers might have been dominant in recent seasons over jumps, but this race has never gone for export. Jessica Harrington and Ciaran Murphy send Lifetime Ambition and Jack Hackett respectively in an attempt to put the record straight, and Lifetime Ambition last ran in a Grade 1.

That was at the Punchestown festival behind Capodanno, and Lifetime Ambition appears to have stronger claims than Jack Hackett, who will probably be surprised he isn't at Kilbeggan. He has had his last six starts at the County Westmeath venue and this will be a different test.

Paul Nicholls has had three winners in this race since 2013. If that statistic tickles your fancy then note his runner Broken Halo.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Nicholls relies on Halo to improve saintly record

The Grand Sefton is chalk and cheese to what Broken Halo has become accustomed to, but Paul Nicholls believes the likely favourite has the right credentials to thrive on his first try over the National fences.

Broken Halo has won two of his last three starts, all in small fields at the end of his novice campaign last season, and he brings a progressive and unexposed profile into the race.

The in-form Nicholls knows what is needed for this test having won the £100,000 contest in three of the last nine years, and conditions should suit his seven-year-old.

"He loves soft ground and that's why we're going up north; they've had plenty of rain up there," the trainer said. "It's all about jumping those fences. He's a good jumper and is good fresh. I think he'll run well and he has a chance."

Two of Nicholls' past winners As De Mee (2016) and Rebel Rebellion (2013) were second-season chasers, which is another positive to Broken Halo's chance.

What they say

Kim Bailey, trainer of Two For Gold
He had a lovely run round there last time in the National and just didn't get the trip. We're dropping back in trip and he's ready to go.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Lifetime Ambition
The aim at the end of the season will hopefully be the Grand National, but we just needed to give him a spin over the fences beforehand. He's in great form and always runs well fresh. I think the ground should be lovely over there for him.

Alan King, trainer of Senior Citizen
He was second in the race last year and also third in the Topham Trophy two seasons ago, so he runs his best races round Aintree. He stays that bit better now, so we might have a look at the Becher Chase afterwards. He's a horse who would not want the ground too testing.

Milton Harris, trainer of Jacamar
He's in a really good place. The trip will be perfect for him. I think he'll take to the fences, but you never really know until they jump them – we'll know for sure after the first two. I think he'll be ultra-competitive if he does take to them. His jumping was fantastic at Chepstow last time.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Spiritofthegames
He got round over these fences last year when finishing fifth [in the Topham]. The slower ground will help him and he has a run under his belt when he came second at Fakenham last month. He is second a lot unfortunately.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of One True King
He's a lovely horse who jumps well and I think the race will suit him. I think he's earned the chance to run in a race like this.

Josh Guerriero, joint-trainer of Gesskille
He's been a stable star since coming from France. We sweetened him up with a couple of runs in hunter chases and he won a Listed race at Auteuil last time, the form of which has worked out well. He probably wants a bit further but it looks a good race to start him off.

Ciaran Murphy, trainer of Jack Hackett
It'll be his first start over the Aintree fences and he usually jumps well. We think he goes there in good form after being freshened up with a little break.
Reporting by Andrew Dietz

Saturday's British and Irish previews:

1.50 Wincanton: 'The handicapper has given him a chance' - can Frodon carry off another big win?

2.11 Aintree: Could the Topham prove the key to the Grand Sefton once again?

2.32 Down Royal: Ladbrokes Champion Chase: 'He has race fitness on his side' - Elliott on Galvin

3.00 Wincanton: Can Sceau Royal land a fourth Elite Hurdle and make the race his own?

3.07 Down Royal: 'He has a great chance on ratings' - Grade 1 winner Fury Road makes seasonal bow

3.13 Doncaster: Can beautifully bred Israr strike another blow for the Classic generation?

The world's number 1 horse racing app just got better! Download the brand new Racing Post app for free to experience our new game-changing odds comparison, exclusive daily big-name tipping and unrivalled app-only content. Click here to download the latest version.