Gelino Bello earns 16-1 Brown Advisory quote after breakthrough Grade 1 win

Friday: Aintree

The Sefton Novices’ Hurdle had the look of an open Grade 1 but Gelino Bello stamped his authority on the opposition and new dreams abound for what promises to be an exciting novice chase campaign next season.

The Paul Nicholls-trained six-year-old raced like he was born to jump fences, taking Harry Cobden smoothly to each hurdle and beating outsider Gentleman At Arms quite comfortably in the end.

In doing so, Gelino Bello earned a quote of 16-1 from Betfair for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.

Gelino Bello: 16-1 for next year's Brown Advisory at CheltenhamCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Cobden said: “I thought we had a great chance coming into the race as it looked a fairly open Grade 1. There was nothing in there that really stood out. It was a good bit of placing by Paul to come here and bypass Cheltenham. That was his Gold Cup and I'm delighted it's all happened for him.”

The rider added: “He'll be a good chaser. We haven't schooled him over a fence but he seems to have loads of scope. He's by a good jumping sire [Saint Des Saints], so I can't see why he won't [take to fences]."

Nicholls, who was securing his second Grade 1 of the meeting after Clan Des Obeaux romped home in Thursday's Betway Bowl, couldn't have been more excited about Gelino Bello's prospects.

He said: “He ran okay at Cheltenham in December and he’s just needed all the time to mature. We’ve given him a lot of time and he won well at Newbury last time. We didn’t want to go to Cheltenham with him as we thought he’d be better off here and he’ll just keep getting better as he gets stronger.

“He’ll go novice chasing next year, so bring on October. He’s an exciting prospect and can only get better. It all counts [towards the trainers' championship]. We’ve had a good week and it all helps.”

Chasing could also be on the agenda for Hacker Des Places, who rounded off a memorable day for Nicholls with victory under Angus Cheleda in the handicap hurdle for conditional and amateur riders.

The Swinton Handicap Hurdle at Haydock on May 7 could be next on the agenda for Hacker Des Places.

Nicholls said: “It's the first time we've run him on good ground – he's been running on testing ground all winter. I thought it might help him and it did – he travelled well and loved it. He's not the biggest in the world but he could go for the Swinton Hurdle next, then we'll give him a holiday and perhaps go chasing next season.”

Dan on the mark

Langer Dan eased the pain of the last two Cheltenham Festivals for the Skelton team and owner Colm Donlon when striding clear to win the Grade 3 handicap hurdle.

Having finished second to Willie Mullins' Galopin Des Champs in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham last year, Langer Dan was brought down at the second when sent off favourite for the same race three weeks ago and was due a change of luck.

Langer Dan (no. 5): more than made up for Cheltenham disappointmentCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"We had that plan three weeks ago but that's racing," said trainer Dan Skelton. "I was actually more disappointed the year before when we got beat by Willie's horse, who was clearly a Grade 1 horse in a handicap, than I was when we got brought down at the second."

Langer Dan, a relatively lightly raced six-year-old, could be set to step out of handicap company next season and, although slight in stature, possesses admirable qualities.

"He's got a phenomenal attitude and I'm chuffed to bits. He's tiny but he's got the heart of a lion," said Skelton. "I believe he's the next level. Whether he's good enough to win a West Yorkshire Hurdle, we'll go and find out."

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