Warriors Tale back over the fences he was bought to jump in Grand Sefton

3.15 Aintree
Betway Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (Class 2) | 2m5f | 6yo+ | ITV4/RUK

Paul Nicholls has won two of the last five renewals, including two years ago with Sean Bowen in the saddle aboard As De Mee, and the pair team up again this year with the Trevor Hemmings-owned nine-year-old Warriors Tale.

Hemmings seemingly buys all his horses with the Aintree fences in mind and bought into Warriors Tale before the National, so clearly received an encouraging sales pitch from the trainer. He travelled well in the big one back in April only for his stamina to give out.

He should be better suited by today's significantly shorter trip but faces a horse in Crievehill who has a similar profile to Nicholls' last winner As De Mee. The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained six-year-old is a second-season chaser heading the right way and this assignment looks tailor-made for him.

Nicholls has won two of the last five renewalsCredit: Alan Crowhurst

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Warriors Tale
He ran very nicely at Aintree last month, which was his prep race for this. He wouldn’t want the ground too deep. The trip is right for him.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Crievehill
He loves soft ground and he jumps well, so you'd have thought it'd be ideal for him.

Lucinda Russell, trainer of Voix D'Eau and Forest Des Aigles
Neither of them have jumped the fences before but I think Forest Des Aigles will be really suited by this. He's a very neat jumper, he's been very progressive for us and he'll be fine on the heavy ground. Voix D'Eau's been a summer horse so I'm a little bit worried about the ground for him, but I think his jumping will help him. He's got loads of scope, Voix D'Eau, so if he takes to the fences I'd expect a good run from him if the ground was more in his favour.

Stuart Coltherd, trainer of Captain Redbeard
He seems to be in good form. His first two runs have gone well and I thought he was a little unlucky at Haydock where he was hampered twice and still was there with a chance. His preparation's gone well, he's acted on the ground before so I'd like to think he's got a big chance with a wee bit of luck and a clear round.

Richard Newland, trainer of Catamaran Du Seuil
I'm looking forward to running him as we've had this race in mind for a long time. He ran exceptionally well at Wetherby, better than we expected. He won really quite nicely and has gone up a few pounds. He's in good form and we thought if we're ever going to try, let's try.

Peter Bowen, trainer of More Buck's
He seems in good form, he was probably a bit disappointing the last day but hopefully he'll take to the fences.

Colin Tizzard, trainer of Shanahan's Turn
He came second there in the spring and the fences seemed to wake him up so that's why he's there, he's got very good form over the big fences. It's been his aim since we got him in this season.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Kilcrea Vale
He finished fourth in the Topham – it’s the same track and trip; I like that. He’s in good form and loves jumping those fences.

Tom George, trainer of Brandon Hill
We've always thought these fences might suit him. He's a strong-travelling horse who likes to gallop and jump. The trip might just suit him nicely around there.

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